When Toyota called Rosa Santana in 2014 with an unexpected opportunity, she didn’t hesitate. Though she had never worked in manufacturing, she jumped at the chance to build truck beds for the company, becoming the first Hispanic- and woman-owned direct Tier I supplier to Toyota. Today, Rosa leads the Santana Group, a family of companies that create jobs across the U.S. and Mexico. As a member of ICIC’s Board of Directors and an advisor to our new Manufacturing Accelerator Program (MAP), Rosa is helping other small manufacturers grow with confidence. Manufacturing changed her life, and now she's helping make that possible for others too. Read More

Caron Ng didn’t plan to lead a manufacturing company. But when her family needed her, she stepped into NU-SET Lock and never looked back. From warehouse staff to Principal CEO, Caron helped the business grow from traditional lockboxes to smart security products, earning more than 22 patents and trademarks along the way. As an alumna of ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections program, Caron gained the tools to scale her business and now serves on the advisory board for ICIC’s Manufacturing Accelerator Program. Her story shows how innovation and legacy are working together to impact the future of manufacturing. Read More