Howell exec reflects on being a female boss in manufacturing

Jennifer Eberbach, Livingston Daily
·2 min read

HOWELL — Anna Powell's path to becoming a manufacturing boss began with "natural curiosity."

While growing up in Fowlerville, Powell was curious about how things were made and shipped to customers.

"I was always asking the question: Where did it come from?"

Later in life, she worked her way up the corporate ladder, eventually becoming a director of manufacturing operations at Medline Industries. For Women's History Month in March, she reflected on becoming a leader in an industry historically dominated by men.

Powell, 35, of Howell, runs operations at 301 Catrell Drive, where the medical supplies manufacturer employs about 130 people. The facility specializes in sterile dressings.

Anna Powell
Anna Powell

As a student studying supply chains at Central Michigan University, Powell said the makeup of her classes was pretty well mixed, but the gender gap in the industry is more skewed.

"Women in leadership roles in manufacturing, I feel, are still underrepresented," she said. "When we got to manufacturing in our daily lives, that ratio wasn’t the same."

Support came in the form of mentors, both women and men.

"I’ve had a lot of women before me that raised the bar and pushed the expectations."

But barriers still remain, including in the hiring process.

"There are still perceptions of women in manufacturing. How much hands-on experience? If they're tough enough, or are they too empathic? People bring those biases."

Powell said having a team with diverse ideas is important.

"The products we're making go to a diverse group."

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"I’m not the only person who will say that (Medline) is a good company for women in work," she added. "We have the women's employee resource group. We have careerpathing specifically for women and mentors."

The company, based in Northfield, Illinois, was named one of Forbes' "Best Employers For Women" in 2023.

Powell said she's passed along her natural curiosity to her daughters, who are always trying to identify Medline products during trips to the doctor.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell exec reflects on being a female boss in manufacturing