Sheila LaMothe is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) and Executive Director of the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation (CCAIFEF). A strong advocate for women in manufacturing, she contributed to the founding of Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and Women in Finishing (WiF) to support women in the surface finishing industry. In 2018, she led the creation of the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation to strengthen education in the coatings industry. She is also part of the leadership team for the FABTECH trade show in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Sheila, What are the main challenges you have successfully navigated as a woman in this industry, and what strategies have you employed to overcome them?
I have been in the finishing industry for close to eight years now. I entered the industry later in my career but have spent more than 30 years in manufacturing. I think the challenges that women face in the finishing industry are similar to those in manufacturing overall, the most obvious being that women make up a small percentage of the manufacturing/finishing workforce. In many cases, especially smaller companies, there may be only one or two women. In my experience, being the only woman in the room can lead to a variety of issues including not being taken seriously, being spoken over in meetings, having others take credit for your ideas, etc. all of which can push down talented contributors to the detriment of an organization.
Strategies to overcome challenges are sometimes easier said than done. Being confident in my abilities and pushing imposter syndrome aside are much easier now than in my early career days. I often felt like I was looked upon as “the little blonde girl” but in hindsight, to some degree this was self-imposed. I was young and didn’t have a lot of experience which led to lack of confidence as well as a severe case of imposter syndrome. Luckily, I had colleagues who saw in me what I couldn’t, were supportive of me and pushed me. It’s important to identify these individuals. They can advocate for you and help you through tough situations. Let’s face it. You were hired because someone felt you could do the job. They believed in you, so you should believe in you.
My favorite quote is, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I believe this wholeheartedly and even though I am towards the end of my career, I try to live by it – both professionally and personally. You have to put yourself out there. You are capable of doing more than you think. If an opportunity presents itself that scares you to death – just go for it! What’s the worst that can happen? Odds are, if you need help someone will step up. And if you fail? Well, there is no bigger learning experience than failure. Learn from your mistakes and move on.
Have you observed significant changes in the perception and participation of women in this sector over the years?
Absolutely! I had the pleasure of serving on the inaugural Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and the Women in Manufacturing Education Foundation. During my tenure, I witnessed this small fledgling trade association experience rapid growth in programming and membership, as well as support from women and men alike. 2025 is the 15th anniversary of WiM and it is now an international association with more than 32,000 members representing more than 3,000 companies.
While WiM encompasses all types of manufacturing, there are many such groups that have specific industry focus. One of those groups is Women in Finishing (WiF). When I joined CCAI in 2017, Anne Goyer (CCAI executive director) and I decided to hold a reception in the CCAI booth at FABTECH for women in the finishing industry that were at the show. We thought maybe 10 or 15 would come, but 35 attended. We quickly realized that more was needed to serve the women in our industry. In 2019 we launched the WiF FORUM, a two-day professional development and industry conference developed specifically for women who have joined the finishing industry. Women from all company types and roles, from the finishing line to executive management, are welcome and encouraged to attend. The event has grown significantly over the years, and I believe it is an example of how the view of women in the industry has changed. For example, many companies participate in the WiF FORUM year after year, but we have a high percentage of first-time attendees. This means that companies find value in the event and send different women each year so that more of their female talent can experience the benefits.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that there are lots of new and young faces that attend the FORUM each year. This shows that the industry is attracting the next generation of women which is amazing. The women that come to the WiF FORUM are engaged and excited about their careers and building their professional networks. They use the skills they learn to build confidence and step out of their comfort zones which benefits the individual and their employer.
What valuable opportunities do you believe this industry presents for women’s professional growth?
There are endless possibilities for women in the finishing industry. I firmly believe that no matter your area of expertise, there is a role for you in finishing. And, there are lots of opportunities to grow and move into new areas. The knowledge gained in one position can serve as a foundation for a future opportunity. For example, a chemist that joins the industry as a formulator for powder coatings could transition into a sales or product management role.
What specific support or programs do you think could effectively promote greater inclusion of women in the surface finishing sector?
CCAI’s Women in Finishing group is an obvious resource for women in our industry. The increasing support for WiF and the WiF FORUM from custom coaters, suppliers, and OEMs demonstrates the commitment the industry at large has for supporting women who have chosen a career in finishing. To enable more women to attend the WiF FORUM, the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation (CCAI FEF) established the Elizabeth Teska WiF FORUM Scholarship Program which covers registration fees and accommodations costs. Over the past four events, 14 women from the U.S. and Mexico have received scholarships to attend the conference.
Giving women the opportunity to attend industry events like FABTECH, FABTECH Mexico, PCI’s Powder Coating Week, along with getting involved with CCAI and its chapters such as the Capítulo en español, provides professional development, increases industry knowledge, and grows professional networks. All of these add up to increased visibility of women in the industry.
Do you have a mentor or an inspiring figure within the industry? In what ways has this person shaped your career?
Considering I joined the finishing industry later in my career, there really isn’t someone in finishing that had a major impact on my journey. I’ve benefitted from many mentors throughout out my career, men and women, but none in a formal mentorship sense. If I had to pick one person who inspired me and shaped my career it would have to be my Dad. His career wasn’t in finishing or manufacturing for that matter, but as the father of two daughters, he raised us as his little girls and his sons. At an early age, my sister and I knew how to change a tire and the oil in a car. We built model cars and rockets together. And, every year just before the opening day of fishing, our hula hoops were transformed into targets in the front yard for my sister and I to practice casting with our fishing rods. Dad taught us there is nothing we can’t do because we are girls. There is no doubt that because of the way he (and my mom) raised us, I’m more comfortable in male-dominated environments, which positively impacted my career in manufacturing and my willingness to step out of my comfort zone to try new things.
When I was young and wanted something, Dad would always say, “You never know unless you ask.” Being from a protective family, the answer was quite often “no.” However, to this day, when I need or want something, whether personal or professional, I can hear him and that fateful saying. And you know what – there are many times the answer is yes.
How do you foresee the future for women in the surface finishing sector?
The future is bright for women in the finishing industry. As more and more of the industry’s expertise heads into retirement, opportunity abounds for the next generation. Women are critical in helping fill the skills gap left behind by retirees. From the finishing line, to formulation, engineering, sales & marketing, executive management, and so much more – there is a place for all women pursuing a career in finishing.
Versión en español: Sheila LaMothe, una mujer en la industria de acabados superficiales
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