Episodes

In this episode of Automation Ladies, Courtney steps in as co-host while Nikki recovers from pneumonia, and they welcome Maggie Rosenkranz from Inductive Automation as their guest. The conversation kicks off with a recap of OT SCADA CON, highlighting the event’s growth, strong sense of community, and the value of bringing technical professionals together to learn and share knowledge. Maggie shares her unconventional journey into industrial automation — from studying biology and dental hygiene to discovering computer science and eventually landing a support engineer role after attending an open house where she first saw the power of Ignition. She reflects on graduating during the 2020 hiring freeze, the challenges of breaking into a new industry, and how curiosity and persistence helped shape her career. The discussion dives into the realities of working in support, including troubleshooting complex issues, asking the right questions, and learning to understand what’s really happ…

Ever wondered what it takes to lead automation projects at trailblazing companies like Tesla and The Boring Company? Nikki chats with Riddhi Padariya about her journey from nerdy high schooler inspired by "How It's Made" to becoming a controls engineering leader in industries ranging from tissue manufacturing to carbon capture and underground tunneling. They dive into hands-on lessons, breakthrough technologies like virtual commissioning, the power of industry communities, and Riddhi’s passio...

Curious how someone ends up building a career around machine vision and industrial automation? Nikki sits down with Kerry Pierce, discussing the winding path that led her from computer engineering to becoming a machine vision integrator, the invaluable lessons learned along the way, and how she’s helping demystify the field for newcomers. ------- This episode is brought to you by SPS Atlanta. Smart Production Solutions is the world's premiere industrial automation trade show is coming t...

How do you build business skills as a chemical engineer? In this episode of the Automation Ladies podcast, Ali G chats with Brielle Reisman, who shares her experiences at Applied Control Engineering, and the importance of combining technical skills with business acumen. Brielle shares how she embraced the value of personal branding and content creation in the engineering industry, particularly for women. Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonzales/ C...

How will AI change Industrial automation? Ashlesha Anil Chaudhari and Alex Kaderi from Masked Owl Technologies join us this week to discuss how their team is building practical solutions to support engineers and rethink the use of AI and new technologies on the factory floor. Hear firsthand insights into what manufacturers are actually adopting, where they're finding real value, and why some initiatives stall out. Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonz...

How is automation and robotics changing the future of farming? Katie Bradford, Founder and CEO of Rotate8, joins Nikki to share her story of building practical automation that empowers small farms to thrive without sacrificing repairability or local expertise. Tune in to hear the challenges and opportunities in ag-tech, the design of accessible robotic platforms for small farms, and why an open-source, repairable approach matters for sustainable farming. Connect with Nikki on Link...

Think ticks can’t find you at work? Think again! In this special episode hosts Nikki Gonzales and Courtney Fernandez sit down with tick expert Emily Merritt (aka the “Tick Chick”). Learn firsthand what Lyme disease can really mean, what to watch for after a bite, how to handle household exposure, and tips you won’t find on a repellant can. Ready to rethink what you know about ticks? You’ll want to hear this. ----- Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-g...

This week Nikki sits down with Brit Bartolini, Enterprise Account Director at MaintainX, for a conversation on digital transformation in manufacturing, the future of maintenance, and attracting new generations to STEM careers. Hear how real-world manufacturing pain points, a love of gadgets, and a dash of maker-spirit are turning maintenance work into a high-tech, high-satisfaction career while solving problems most execs don’t even know exist. Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.l...

Frustrated by the skills gap in automation? There’s a new approach in town. Join Nikki Gonzales as she sits down with Paul Godines from Logix Trainers to talk real solutions for bridging the entry-level technician divide. On this episode of Automation Ladies, you’ll get the inside story on why simulation training matters, what makes tenacity essential in controls, and how industry standard models like ISA-95 can map a better path for the future. Resources Mentioned in Episode: https://www.li...

How do you build sustainable talent pipelines for the industry? Nikki Gonzales, Ali G, and Courtney Fernandez sit down with Dr. Nicole Schra Martin, an expert in manufacturing and automation, to discuss early STEM education, practical hiring for automation roles, and the changing face of industrial automation careers. These themes are essential for managers, engineers, and educators alike who are interested in building sustainable talent pipelines for the industry. Will You Be Joining Us ...

What’s the ROI of your trade show booth? Trade shows cost more than most companies realize. Yet, year after year, exhibitors throw away tens of thousands by showing up unprepared, staff glued to phones, demos unfinished, and leads lost. In this episode we chat with veteran exhibitors and industry experts, Joe Campbell and Jennifer Mass, to learn how to transform every show into an engine for leads and lasting relationships. Huge thank you to Automate.org for sponsoring this episode! The b...

What is it like to build a thriving controls engineering company with your partner? The Automation Ladies sit down with Caitlyn Young from Integrated Controls and Engineering to discuss what it takes to balance business, engineering, and partnership—all while serving the local industry at the highest level. Join us as Caitlyn shares the secrets of navigating roles, playing to strengths, handling challenges as a couple, and why Kansas City’s manufacturing ecosystem is booming. Huge thank y...

Curious why manufacturer-distributor relationships still make or break automation sales? Nikki Gonzales talked with industry veterans Frank Hurtte & Larry White at AHTD about tariffs, global supply chain headaches, how AI is shifting the workforce & why family-run industrial businesses are thriving. ------ Huge thank you to Automate.org for sponsoring this episode! The biggest automation party of the year is back! Join us at Automate, where the best in robotics, cobots, AI, machine vision, ...

The Automation Ladies are all back together! Catch up as they mark the return of the podcast for a new season, sharing candid updates on life transitions, moves, industry shifts, and unexpected opportunities. Listen in for real talk about building and growing their women-led automation community, the creative push behind the unique OT SCADA CON event, the challenge and pull of relocating for career and life, and what it means to balance ambition with burnout. This episode is filled with behin...

Many factories struggle with unexpected equipment failure, resulting in costly downtime hits without warning. How can you avoid this with predictive maintenance strategies? Join us as we welcome special guest Ryan Treece from FreeWave Technologies for a discussion covering many industry insights. Discover how implementing predictive maintenance using vibration sensors can alert you in advance, minimizing surprise breakdowns. Huge thank you to Automate.org for sponsoring this episode! The bigg...

We’re back! In this special solo kickoff to Season 6, Nikki shares what’s new with Automation Ladies — including her new role at Weintek USA, a big media partnership, and all the exciting things ahead for the show and community. In this episode: •Why Nikki joined the team at Weintek USA •The big announcement: Automation Ladies is now part of Industry Sage Media •Behind-the-scenes of producing the podcast (and a heartfelt goodbye to our amazing producer, Laura 💜) •What’s coming in Season 5 ...