ILMA Compoundings - May 2021 - 11

A Fond Farewell and a Warm Welcome

fter a decade of service, ILMA
bid a fond farewell to our
intrepid senior director of
communications, Brenda Gillinson,
who retired at the end of April.
Brenda has played a significant role
in expanding the scope of ILMA's
communications over the past 10
years, from creating a new website,
adding video content and transforming the ILMA Week newsletter to
launching the virtual ILMA Town
Halls and our upcoming podcast
series. She was also integral in shaping

engaging content for our annual and
spring meetings each year.
Brenda never shrank from a challenge, continually finding innovative
ways to ensure that ILMA members
have the information they need to be
successful in a rapidly changing marketplace. " A lot fell into her lap during
her tenure, and she embraced it and
did a fantastic job, " said ILMA CEO
Holly Alfano, who often described
Brenda as her right-hand woman.
As Brenda drove toward the Florida
sunset, another figure appeared on the

Brenda Gillinson

Caitlin Jacobs

horizon. Caitlin Jacobs, whom many
members may know from her time
as managing editor of Lubes'n'Greases
magazine, has joined the team as
director of communications.
Caitlin arrived at ILMA with a
solid understanding of the lubricants
industry, along with experience in
communications for both associations
and nonprofits. Immediately prior to
joining Lubes'n'Greases, she served as
an editor for the National Business
Aviation Association. Earlier in her
career, she tackled fundraising and
then communications for the Faith &
Politics Institute, a bipartisan leadership development nonprofit with deep
ties on Capitol Hill.
" We congratulate Brenda and wish
her the very best in a well-deserved
retirement, " said ILMA President
Chuck Decker. " At the same time,
we're excited to welcome Caitlin
and look forward to leveraging her
knowledge and experience in serving
our members. "

SLICK FACT
Progress Made, but Ground to Gain
In partnership with the Women in Manufacturing Association, Thomas released the results of a
benchmarking survey examining 465 manufacturing industry professionals to determine workplace
trends related to gender. Here are some of the findings from that survey.
* 62% of female respondents said they " somewhat agree " or " strongly agree " that women have
made significant progress in the industry over the last five years.
* 65% of female respondents report said they " mostly agree " or " completely agree " that their
company values their contributions.
* Only 27% of female respondents said they feel strongly about their personal career advancement
opportunities.
* The industries with the largest percentage of women in leadership positions include medical/
health care (43%), food and beverage (30%) and general manufacturing (29%).
* 31% of respondents said associations are the most helpful resource for women in manufacturing,
and 27% said mentorships are the most helpful solution. 43% of female respondents said they
have a mentor.
To read more about this survey's findings, download the survey report at bit.ly/3lRTj2L.

http://www.bit.ly/3lRTj2L

ILMA Compoundings - May 2021

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