The Best of Executive Dialogue
A year of candid conversations with leaders on what it takes to lead in an era of digital transformation and rapid change
The pace of change in manufacturing leadership has never been faster, and 2025’s Executive Dialogue series captured that shift in real time. Across conversations with industry trailblazers, a clear theme emerged: the future of manufacturing will be defined not just by technology, but by the leaders who know how to harness it. From AI-driven operational excellence to workforce transformation and digital culture, this year’s Executive Dialogue interviews reveal how manufacturing leaders are navigating complexity with clarity, purpose and vision.
In this special best-of collection, hear how leaders are scaling Manufacturing 4.0 across global operations, building digitally fluent cultures, embracing new generations of talent, and preparing for the rise of agentic AI. Whether you’re accelerating your own digital roadmap or looking for breakthrough ideas to strengthen your organization, these interviews offer practical insights and a glimpse into the leadership mindset shaping manufacturing’s next era.
Dialogue: Finding the Human Edge in Manufacturing AI
Tim O’Neal, Dow, Inc. | February 2025
Dow’s Tim O’Neal discusses the intersection of talent, data and AI in manufacturing, sharing insights on how intentional leadership and digital innovation drive operational excellence. From predictive analytics to AI-powered decision-making, he explores the evolving role of technology in shaping the future of industrial performance.
Dialogue: Scaling Industry 4.0 at Eaton
Craig Sutton, Eaton Corporation | April 2025
How do you scale digital transformation across 200 global manufacturing plants? Craig Sutton, Vice President of Industry 4.0 at Eaton, shares how the company is driving Industry 4.0 adoption with a strategic focus on technology, culture and governance. In this conversation, he discusses the challenges of integrating digital tools across diverse operations, the importance of a strong tech stack, and why shifting mindsets is just as critical as deploying new solutions.
Digital Culture Begins with Executive Intent
John Dyck, CESMII | June 2025
CESMII CEO and MLC Board Member John Dyck shares why building a digital culture in manufacturing starts with executive intent. In this conversation with MLC’s Penelope Brown, Dyck explores the foundational role of data quality, the need for cultural transformation, and the importance of aligning IT and OT through strategic structure and incentives. He emphasizes that digital transformation requires more than tools—it demands leadership commitment, repeatable and trusted data, and a clear roadmap for change. Manufacturers, he says, must move beyond assumptions and build the organizational muscle to fully realize Industry 4.0’s value.
Dialogue: At Merck, It Takes a Digital Village
Besu Alemayehu, Merck & Co. | August 2025
Merck’s Besu Alemayehu, the Manufacturing Leadership Council’s 2025 Manufacturing Leader of the Year, says it starts with humility. “We think we know it all when we’ve been in the industry 30 years,” he says. “But this generation went to school with no textbooks. Their way of thinking about digital and technology and enablement is incredible.” Watch his full interview to hear how he’s helping shape a culture where fresh thinking and digital-native ideas can thrive.
Dialogue: Agentic AI Moves from Insights to Action
Prasoon Saxena, NTT DATA | October 2025
NTT DATA’s Prasoon Saxena sees agentic AI as the next leap in manufacturing—necessary to accelerate cycles, fill labor gaps, increase global competitiveness, and reshape how humans and AI work together. In this special Future of Manufacturing Project-focused Executive Dialogue, he shares why trust, governance and training are critical as manufacturers prepare for a future where humans and AI agents operate side by side.
About the author:
Jeff Puma is Content Director for the Manufacturing Leadership Council