An executive known for modernizing her company’s approach to technology and engineering is the winner of the 2023 Women in Metalcasting Award for Excellence from the American Foundry Society.
Susan Bear, Chief Technology Officer at AFS Corporate Member Grede (Southfield, Michigan), was one of many nominees for the annual award, which honors “a person who has been an exceptional leader, champion, mentor and/or role model for women in the metalcasting industry.”
Bear joined Grede in July 2018 and was promoted to CTO in October 2022, leading the engineering, quality, and program management functions for the company. Her contributions range from technical expertise and business acumen to leadership and a passion for results. As a champion of technology, Bear has been a driving force behind an organizational transformation from the “art of the foundry” to the “science of iron casting,” with a focus on Foundry 4.0, IOT and process enhancements supported by real-time data. Those who nominated her noted Bear is adaptable, collegial, proactive, and demonstrates a willingness to support her organization in any way possible.
Bear holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with highest honors from Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, Michigan), and an MBA with honors from Wayne State University (Detroit).
Bear will be honored at the 2023 Women in Metalcasting Breakfast, held in conjunction with Metalcasting Congress 2023, on April 26 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. To RSVP for this event, click here.