IMA Women Makers Series

Individual Ticket - $40

Join us at 17th Street BBQ in Murphysboro for the second stop of the IMA's 2024 Women Makers Series: The Power of Being a Woman Maker. This working lunch will feature an in-depth panel discussion with regional women leaders to speak on their experiences serving as leaders in communities in southern Illinois.

Women in manufacturing are invited to connect, thrive, and empower one another at our in-person event designed to strengthen business relationships at every leadership level.

About 17th Street Barbecue

17th Street Barbecue is a true barbecue destination, famous for its champion barbecue, pulled pork, rubs, and sauces. Located in Murphysboro, deep in Southern Illinois, it attracts visitors from around the world and pitmasters from Texas to the Carolinas. The Mills family is known as the first family of barbecue, with Amy’s late father, Mike Mills, revered as “The Legend” and a pioneer in the industry. In 2015, Murphysboro was named the “Barbecue Capital of Illinois” by the State Legislature.

All cancellations must be received in writing by July 17.

Agenda

11:00 - 11:30 - Registration / Networking Reception

11:30 - 12:00 - Lunch

12:00 - 1:00 - Panel Discussion

Panelists

Amy Mills

17^th Street Barbecue

Owner

Amy Mills, owner of the renowned 17th Street Barbecue, was raised on smoke, sauce, and Magic Dust®. She is the industry’s go-to expert for all things barbecue and the recipient of the Barbecue Heroine prize. Consistently named a leader in her field, Amy’s mission is to spread the gospel of barbecue.

She operates OnCue Consulting, the only barbecue business consultancy in the world, offering seminars and training on both culinary and business techniques. Amy is a featured judge on various barbecue shows such as Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, Firemasters, CHOPPED, Best in Smoke, Kingsford Invitational, and Smoked. She also co-stars in the Mills Family’s digital series, Peace, Love, and Barbecue.

Michelle Sirles

Rendleman Orchards

VP/Owner/5th Generation

Raised in St. Louis, migrated to Southern Illinois, with her degree in graphic design from SIUC, Michelle Sirles of Rendleman Orchards, launched her career at an advertising agency in St. Louis before returning to Southern Illinois permanently. While Michelle is most known for enhancing the Rendleman Orchards brand and building on the operation to offer a Midwest destination, she has also expanded their retail footprint nation-wide with an online store and custom farm-to-porch gift boxes featuring the mouthwatering fruits the family has been known for over the decades.

Michelle raised two daughters alongside her husband, Wayne on their multigenerational family farm. She continued her career off the farm for the next 20+ years gaining a vast array of experience in design, marketing, human resource, business operations and corporate event fundraising.

Michelle’s other responsibilities in their operation include; Marketing the wholesale side of the business throughout the Midwest, customer relationship manager, bookkeeping and financials, human resource and community liaison. 

Molly Hudgins,

SIU Alumni Director

SIU

Molly Hudgins is the Executive Director of the Southern Illinois University Alumni Association and a 1997 graduate of SIUC. She is a former standout athlete on the women’s golf team. Hudgins returned to SIU in 2022 after a successful career as faculty member and academic administrator at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. During her tenure at Lindenwood, she faculty member and academic administrator at Lindenwood University from 2003 to 2022, beginning as the department chair of the sport management program within the Plaster School of Business & Entrepreneurship. She was associate dean of the school and became the first associate provost of curriculum and experiential learning. She later became interim dean of the business school and was appointed dean in 2020. 

Hudgins accepted the role of Executive Director for the Association after serving as the deputy athletic director for administration and student services for SIU Athletics. Her position in athletics encompassed oversight of academics, compliance and the department’s name, image and likeness (NIL) efforts. Hudgins has been an active volunteer with the SIU Alumni Association prior to taking the Executive Director role She has served as a member of its national board of directors and as president. 

Christy Carroll,

HR Manager, Talent Acquisitions

Human Relations

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC

Christy Carroll is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and currently holds the position of Human Resources Manager for Continental Tire in Mt. Vernon Illinois. Christy serves as a member of the Southern Illinois Workforce Board of Directors, serves on the Leadership Team of The Restore Network of Williamson County and was the past President of the Jefferson County SHRM MSA.

Christy has 30 years of experience as a Human Resources Professional and holds a master’s degree in Workforce Education and Development with a specialization in Human Resources from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Christy is married with 10 children, 6 of which are biological, two that were adopted through foster care and two currently in foster care and transitioning to adoption.

Holly Fletcher

Vice President Operations

Aisin Manufacturing Illinois, LLC

Holly Fletcher was born and raised in Murphysboro, Illinois. She graduated in 2001 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Holly started her career at Aisin Manufacturing Illinois (AMI) as a quality engineer over sunroofs. Over the past 20 years she continued to grow within AMI, taking advantage of multiple promotional opportunities and is currently Vice President of Operations and oversees the daily implementation of the manufacturing operations as well as quality and production engineering, maintenance, production control, change management, and OMC. She is currently the highest ranking female in AISIN in North America.

AISIN Corporation is consistently ranked as a Top 10 global Tier One automotive supplier providing essential parts, components and technologies for most vehicles on the road today, including hybrid and electric vehicles. AISIN Corporation employees more than 120,000 team members at 200 consolidated companies worldwide.

AMI manufactures a wide range of products for Toyota, General Motors, Lexus, Subaru, and Mercedes.

Holly currently resides in southern Illinois with her husband, son, and daughter.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Platinum Sponsor - $10,000

Includes:

• Company name/logo on promotional materials
• Provide a promotional item to each participant at the kickoff event
• 6 event registrations at each of hte remaining 2024 series evens - 7/24, 9/17 & 12/5
• Podium time at two of the events

Gold Sponsor - $5,000

Includes:

• Company name/logo on promotional materials
• 4 event registrations at each of hte remaining 2024 series evens - 7/24, 9/17 & 12/5
• Podium time at two of the events

Silver Sponsor - $2,500

Includes:

• Company name/logo on promotional materials
• 2 event registrations at each of hte remaining 2024 series evens - 7/24, 9/17 & 12/5

Individual Ticket - $40

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!