Did you know that June 23 is celebrated around the world as International Women in Engineering Day––a day that focuses on raising the profile of women who are changing the field of engineering?! 

FEF, and the industry as a whole, is proud to have many women who are making a difference in the metalcasting industry. In honor of this special day, we would like to introduce you to three female FEF alumni contributing to the success of this industry.
Kathy Hayrynen attended Michigan Tech and earned her B.S. in metallurgical engineering in 1986. She went on to earn her M.S. in 1989 and her Ph.D. in 1993. 

Her introduction to metalcasting is a story that we often hear: “I saw a demonstration of pouring ductile iron at the Women in Engineering program at Michigan Tech. When I saw the flames from the Mg treatment, I was captivated.” 

Hayrynen began her career 29 years ago with Applied Process, which is now part of Aalberts surface technologies, and she is currently vice president of R&D. When asked why she chose her current employment position, she says, “I accepted a job working for a company whose primary business was what I did my graduate research on. I really enjoyed my graduate studies, so it was a natural progression for me.”

Hayrynen is very involved with FEF and ASM. Over the years, she has spent several weeks during the summer helping with ASM teacher camps––encouraging and educating high school teachers so they can teach young people about the wonderful world of metalcasting.

Sandy Calabrese is also a graduate of Michigan Tech. She graduated in 1993 with her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and in 1995 earned her master’s in metallurgical engineering. 

While initially drawn to pursue aerospace engineering for her master’s, a course in practical metallurgical applications during her senior year ignited her lifelong fascination with the intricate science of metals. 

“Something about the metallurgy pulled on me,” she said.

Following a career spanning over 28 years at General Motors across various departments, she now brings her experience, expertise, and love of this industry to DISA as the director of sales for North America. 

Like Hayrynen, Calabrese continues to be very involved with FEF, its mission of encouraging students into the field of metalcasting, and its support of women in metalcasting activities.
Emily Neuburg graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2023 with a degree in industrial technology management, emphasis in manufacturing technology management and a minor in metals processing. 

Her introduction to hot metal is a little different. She took metals classes in high school, and before she even entered college she knew she wanted to do something with metals. During her intro to metals course, her professor encouraged all the students to join the AFS club––Neuburg said she began attending, “and the rest is history.”

After graduating, Neuburg took her current position with MetalTek where she is a product engineer. She said what she enjoys about her job is “working with some really cool parts that have applications in military, defense, aerospace, and many other applications.”

When these women were asked what they bring to the industry that is different from their male colleagues, one thought was mentioned by all three: looking at problems differently, bringing a different perspective. And although all three really enjoy their positions and love the “family” feel of the metalcasting industry, there is still room for progress. 

Neuburg mentioned that at all of her internships and jobs, “most people think I have never been in a foundry before or gotten my hands dirty, which could not be further from the truth.” Calabrese added, “There is still a very small population of women in our industry … I have found that newly-hired women sometimes do not stay long, despite how much mentoring I tried to pour into them. For them, it is about seeing leaders in an organization who look like them––if you don’t see them, you don’t think it is achievable.”

Although women in engineering/metalcasting have come a long way, there’s still room for growth and improvement. But one thing is certain: Whether we are men or women, we are a small network of people who share a love for glowing metal and sand in our boots. That will never change!

When you begin your search for your next engineer or metallurgist, start with an FEF certified or affiliated school to find that technical talent and that different perspective: www.fefinc.org/our-schools.html