Plumbing Manufacturers International has created Women of PMI, a new program to celebrate, honor and support women PMI members in the plumbing manufacturing industry. The program provides valuable networking opportunities, information to help develop career and leadership skills, and a platform to highlight the accomplishments of women PMI members.

The first Women of PMI program will be “Women Breaking the Mold: Building Confidence in an Ever-Changing Landscape,” with best-selling author and acclaimed speaker Sheena Yap Chan. To be held from 1-2 p.m. CT on July 16, the program will provide participants with proven strategies for building the confidence they need to thrive in their careers and beyond. All women of PMI member companies are invited to participate in this complimentary event. 

Women of PMI builds on the success of the PMI Women’s Breakfast held at the annual PMI Manufacturing Success Conference, to be held this year from Nov. 3-6 in Chicago. This year, Shelley Paxton, former chief marketing officer of Harley-Davidson, will lead the Women of PMI Breakfast. She will share how she walked away from her corporate job and into her “soulbbatical.” Her presentation will focus on redefining greatness and beating burnout.

PMI Director of Programs and Administration Jodi Stuhrberg, who manages the initiative, said, “We’re excited to deliver this program to our women members, many of whom have expressed appreciation for our annual women’s breakfast and interest in a broader program. It’s another way that PMI celebrates multiple approaches and points of view that drive innovation to help member companies grow.”

When Denise Dougherty, global regulatory manager for PMI member Sloan, helped put together the first women’s breakfast in 2023, she shared her enthusiasm and support for connecting women PMI members with each other. “I think a more informed group makes for a more powerful and successful group. By bringing women in the plumbing industry together, I hope our message is heard that we need more women to be involved to get the work done—from the hands that complete installations to those that write the codes and standards,” she said. Dougherty also noted how important it is for women to step into leadership roles in the industry.