03/01/2023
Celebrating Peggy Jones, a Women MAKE Awards Honoree
We are excited to share that Peggy Jones, regional quality manager at Pentair, has been named as a 2023 Women MAKE Awards Honoree by the Manufacturing Institute. This annual national awards program honors women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
With a passion for science, leadership and inclusivity, Peggy has made significant contributions at Pentair. We sat down with her to learn about her career journey, and how she is helping to develop the next generation of female talent.
Learn about Peggy's career journey, and how she is helping to develop the next generation of female talent.
Q: What led you to pursue a career in science and engineering, and specifically manufacturing?
From a young age, I was really interested in how things work. I loved physics and geometry and enjoyed conducting experiments, and so it was natural for me to pursue a career in science and engineering.
When I graduated from college, I got my first job in manufacturing as a process engineer and I just fell in love with it. I really love working with people to make a product. I love working with frontline employees and other engineers to improve processes and solve problems.
Q: What role have mentors played in your career, and why is it important to you to “pay it forward?”
I was fortunate early in my career to have leaders who were very invested in my training and development, and I realized right away how much that helped me to be a better leader and move up in my career. That’s why from the time that I started managing people, it was always important to me that I provided those same opportunities for training and development to others so that they could grow in their careers.
Q: You serve as a co-leader of the Pentair’s LGBTQ+ business resource group, the P.R.I.D.E. (Pentair Respect Inclusion Diversity Engagement) Alliance. What inspired you to do so?
I believe that everyone should feel that they can bring their true, authentic self to work. Different perspectives and experiences are what contribute to new ideas and the best solutions! I have friends and family who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and it was important to me as an ally to contribute and help foster a sense of belonging for our LGBTQ+ colleagues through the formation of the P.R.I.D.E. Alliance here at Pentair.
Q: What has been most rewarding in your career, and in working at a manufacturer like Pentair?
One of the things that I love about working in manufacturing is being able to see a product from start to finish. At our site in Ashland, Ohio, we have a foundry where recycled metal is melted and poured into molds to make castings to build pumps for our customers. These pumps are used to help move water when and where it’s needed, helping to protect homes and communities. It’s very rewarding to know that we are making products that are helping create a better world for people and the planet.
I'm also really proud of the fact that we have a lean manufacturing culture at Pentair. I think a lean culture aligns with some of the skills that women leaders often possess such as empathy, working with others and organization. This can help set women up well for success in environments like Pentair.
Q: How can we encourage more young women and girls to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing?
Manufacturing is definitely a place for women and we're working hard to increase the percentage of people in manufacturing who are women. One thing that I think is important in promoting science and engineering careers for girls is to introduce them when they are young—through toys and games that encourage problem solving—and build that passion very early in life so that they naturally gravitate toward engineering careers.
I also think it’s important to show girls that science is fun! At Pentair, I had the opportunity to start working with Project Scientist, an organization working to increase diversity in STEM. For the past several years myself and other female engineers at Pentair have led virtual summer camp programs where we do fun experiments with the girls to help spark their interest in the field. I enjoyed that experience so much that I also volunteer throughout the year as part of the Project Scientist Scholars Virtual Program and Spring STEAM Club.
