Rethink: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
No matter where you are on the digital manufacturing journey, Rethink is a must-attend event to learn aspirational best practices, discover real-world case studies, and network with other leaders who are guiding the way to Manufacturing 4.0.
Rethink examines today’s digital factory as it intersects with technology, organizations, and leadership. Come away with a better understanding of the smart factory and what’s needed to compete, succeed, and thrive in the connected future.
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Featured 2025 Content
Engage and learn through keynotes, case studies, breakout sessions, 1-on-1 meetings, and networking events.
Enterprise-wide Digital Transformation
AI in the Factory
M4.0 Business Cultures
Creating Digital Roadmaps
Industrial Cybersecurity
Resilient Supply Chains
Next-Generation Leadership
Please note that agenda is continuously updated as information becomes available and is set to Eastern Time (EDT).
For questions on the agenda or if you’re interested in speaking at Rethink 2025, please email [email protected]
Tuesday, June 17
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
- Jay Timmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Manufacturers
8:10 a.m. Opening Address: Defining the Human-Machine Relationship
- David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
As AI-powered machines become increasingly powerful and exceed human capabilities, human-machine partnerships will become ubiquitous, requiring manufacturers to decide the proper nature of these relationships. How do we decide the question of what and how much responsibility and authority to delegate to machines? Should manufacturers pick their objectives and harness AI to achieve them or should AI pick some of the objectives itself? These and other questions concerning AI loom for the industry. How we answer them may determine the future of manufacturing.
8:30 a.m. Keynote: CEO’s Perspective on Digital Transformation
- Barbara Humpton, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens USA; Member, NAM Board of Directors
Digital transformation isn’t just a technology initiative—it’s a business imperative. Yet many manufacturers still struggle to align their digital strategy with overall business objectives, limiting their ability to drive real value. In this opening keynote, the U.S. CEO of a global technology and manufacturing leader will share her perspective on how manufacturers can overcome key challenges—from accessing capital to building the right teams—to accelerate their digital transformation. She’ll also explore how ecosystems can drive innovation, productivity, and sustainability to align business and digital transformation strategies that position manufacturers for long-term success in an era of continuous industrial reinvention.
9:00 a.m. How Wall Street Views Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
- Jack Anstey, Managing Director, Technology Media and Communications Group, Goldman Sachs
Manufacturing’s digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about value. Investors are paying attention to how manufacturers digitize, and those that do it right see a real financial impact. Hear how Wall Street evaluates digital transformation, why there’s no universal playbook, and what smart manufacturers do to maximize their valuation in an era of rapid change.
9:30 a.m. Networking and Refreshment Break
10:05 a.m. Case Study: Transforming EnerSys’ Daily Improvements through Digital
- Raphael Germe, Senior Director of Global EOS and OPS Engineering, EnerSys
By implementing a robust daily improvement process as a core component of its operating system, EnerSys has revolutionized the century-old manufacturing of industrial batteries into a progressive, highly advanced lean operation. By fostering transparency and structuring opportunities effectively, EnerSys actively engages its workforce in continuous improvement. While AI accelerates waste reduction, root cause analysis, and the implementation of countermeasures, the foundation of success remains a strong culture driven by servant leadership.
10:35 a.m. Case Study: Accelerating Celanese’s Digital and AI Transformation for 10x Manufacturing Value
- Ibrahim Al-Syed, Director, Digital Transformation, Celanese
- Andrew Penton, Manufacturing IT Leader, Celanese
Celanese, the 2024 ML Award Category Winner in AI and Machine Learning, is rapidly advancing its digital transformation to create autonomous, integrated, and optimized manufacturing plants of the future through digital twins and a unified data platform. At the core of this evolution is JO.AI, a generative AI-powered system that enhances decision-making, automates processes, and integrates seamlessly into workflows to improve operational efficiency. By embedding AI into its solution ecosystem, Celanese is driving proactive facility management, ensuring reliability, and unlocking substantial value across its global manufacturing network, all while keeping customers and employees at the heart of the digitalization journey.
2:40 p.m. Power Panel: Handicapping the Global Digital Transformation Race
Where are U.S. manufacturers on the digital transformation journey in comparison to companies in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world? Are U.S. manufacturers ahead or behind? This panel of distinguished manufacturing industry analysts will assess the digital competitive landscape and what U.S. companies can do to accelerate the digitalization and modernization of the U.S. industrial base.
- Julie Fraser, Vice President of Research, Manufacturing and Operations, Tech-Clarity
- Matthew Littlefield, Co-founder, President and Research Lead, LNS Research
- Bob Parker, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Research, IDC
- Craig Resnick, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group
Moderator:
- David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
4:05 p.m. Executive Interview: Demystifying Autonomous Operations – Turning Complexity into Practical Transformation
With the rise of AI, robotics and workforce challenges, autonomous operations are transforming manufacturing—but navigating the surge of new technologies and strategies can be overwhelming. This session explores practical approaches to cut through the complexity, combining effective management and proven technologies to drive real outcomes. Learn how manufacturing leaders are bridging technology, people and processes to achieve lasting transformation and measurable success.
- Alberto Gomez, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Innovation, Proctor & Gamble
- Tessa Myers, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Devices, Rockwell Automation | Kalypso
- Kevin Seaver, Vice President, Business Operations, Filtration Business, Cytiva
In conversation with: David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
4:35 p.m. Case Study: Hershey’s Digital Factory – How Hershey is Driving Manufacturing Excellence
- Will Bonifant, Vice President, Manufacturing, Operations Technology and Supply Chain Strategy, The Hershey Company.; Board of Governors, Manufacturing Leadership Council
In 2024, Hershey set out to make its conversion cost improvement target best in class. To get there, the company devised a holistic strategy to digitally upgrade all work, bringing automation and advanced analytics to its frontline teams and automating repetitive physical tasks for workers. This session will focus on the technologies Hershey is investing in, how it is transforming its workforce to deliver them, and early lessons learned as Hershey launches the next phase of its manufacturing excellence journey.
5:05 p.m. Fireside Chat
Wednesday, June 18
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
8:10 a.m. Keynote: Scaling Digital on Eaton’s Path for Growth
- Craig Sutton, Vice President, Industry 4.0, Eaton Corporation
Scaling digital transformation across a global manufacturing enterprise requires more than just technology—it takes structure, strategy, and cultural change. This keynote will explore how Eaton is scaling its Manufacturing 4.0 journey from a single digital plant to a global network, using governance, process frameworks, and a tailored tech stack to drive real impact. Learn how they’re standardizing best practices, moving from automation to autonomy, and linking digital transformation to business growth.
8:40 a.m. Fireside Chat
9:10 a.m. Panel Discussion: Next-Generation Leaders
What’s on the minds of the next generation as they develop into the leaders of tomorrow? This panel discussion will examine the hopes, aspirations, and visions for the future from some of this year’s top finalists for the Next-Generation Leadership award.
Moderator: Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
10:15 a.m. Case Study: IPG
- Emmanuel Boullay, Senior Vice President Operations, IPG
10:45 a.m. Executive Interview
11:15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Bridging the Digital Divide – Accelerating Transformation for Small and Medium Manufacturers
As digital transformation reshapes the manufacturing landscape, small and medium manufacturers (SMMs) face unique challenges in keeping pace with larger enterprises and global competitors. Limited resources, workforce constraints, legacy systems, geopolitical uncertainties, and competing priorities can slow adoption, widening the digital divide. However, with the right strategies, SMMs can harness emerging technologies to drive efficiency, agility, and growth. This panel will bring together industry leaders to discuss practical approaches for accelerating digital transformation in SMMs.
- Chris Droney, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Milo’s Tea
- Dan Dwight, President and CEO, Cooley Group; Chair, MLC Board of Governors; Executive Committee, NAM Board of Directors; Winner of the 2024 ML Awards Small/Medium Manufacturer of the Year; Winner of the 2024 Manufacturing Leader of the Year
- Joe Pfaff, Vice President, Global Business Technology, Husco
Moderator: Steven Moskowitz, Ph.D., Senior Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
2:55 p.m. Lightning Round: Meet the Manufacturing Leadership Award Finalists
Get a deeper look at some of this year’s top projects from the Manufacturing Leadership Awards.
4:00 p.m. Content for Rethink 2025 Concludes
Our Insightful and Visionary Speakers
Our high-caliber speaker lineup will bring you the insight and inspiration you need for moving your business forward.
For information on becoming and/or nominating a speaker, please contact [email protected]Our Insightful and Visionary Speakers
Our high-caliber speaker lineup will bring you the insight and inspiration you need for moving your business forward.
For information on becoming and/or nominating a speaker, please contact [email protected]
2025 Speakers
Barbara Humpton
Craig Sutton
Pete Durette
Gregory Daco
Jack Anstey
Ibrahim Al-Syed
Andrew Penton
Tessa Myers
Raphael Germe
Alberto Gomez
Will Bonifant
Julie Fraser
Matthew Littlefield
Bob Parker
Craig Resnick
Joe Pfaff
Dan Dwight
Ted Bill
Kelly Nothaft
Jennifer Fitzgerald
Carolyn Lee
David R. Brousell
Penelope Brown
Jeff Puma
2024 ML Award Finalists – Lightning Round Presenters
Shreyas Avanna
Jerome Williams
Dhruba Misra
2024 (Re)Think Tank Facilitators
Dan Abramson
Andy Albrecht
Chad Back
John Barcus
Wendy Collins
Matt Dollard
Ivan Fernandez
Nick Haase
Rick Homman
Patricia Hume
Amy Julian
Randal Kenworthy
JJ Lechleiter
Brian Legan
Ken Robbins
Andrew Scheuermann
Pankaj Shah
Colin Speakman
Jeff Taylor
Michael Weller
Clay Wilker
Adrian Wood
Carmel Wynkoop
Secure Your 2025 Sponsorship Now!
Limited Sponsorships Remain
Build Relationships. Drive Opportunities. Deliver Results.
Sponsorship investments at Rethink provide you the opportunity to connect with top manufacturing executives and are proven to deliver results.
With multiple opportunities to educate buyers about your products and services, discuss challenges and solutions, showcase thought leadership, connect with attendees, build relationships, and generate opportunities with the executive audience, you are guaranteed to see results.
Partnering with NAM’s Manufacturing Leadership Council as a sponsor at Rethink, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Connect with hundreds of C-Suite Executives, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Council Members, Manufacturing Leadership Award Winners, Industry Thought Leaders and more who are looking to drive digital transformation and charting the course for the future of manufacturing.
- Showcase your company’s products, services and thought leadership in a variety of sessions and within the networking hall.
- Educate the manufacturing community through your 1:1 meetings, networking sessions, VIP Tour and more.
- Build solid relationships and opportunities with key executives on-site.
- Customize your sponsorship to meet your strategic objectives and deliver a solid Return On Investment
