AER CFO Joins Women in Remanufacturing Panel at MERA Annual Conference

Ingrid Frakes has been with AER for nearly 24 years and is now the Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she is responsible for managing all financial needs, accounting needs, the warranty team, and the human resources department, as well as overseeing building maintenance and purchasing requirements- making her an impressive and accomplished female executive in the remanufacturing industry.

 

MERA - The Association for Sustainable Manufacturing launched the Women in Remanufacturing Network a little over two years ago and quickly approached Frakes to be a part of the group. Alongside 20-25 other influential women in the industry, Frakes joins a bi-monthly discussion of interesting topics, such as diversity in the workplace; how women have evolved over time and became leaders; and how they manage through supply chain issues, labor force issues, and day-to-day operations. In addition to having access to a wonderful community of women who support each other on a personal level, Frakes says she is also able to make "some really great initial contacts with other women in the group that I think are helpful to AER."

 

When asked what she loves most about being a part of this network, Frakes answered, “What I find most intriguing when the group meets, is that we get to hear different perspectives from other women leaders responsible to help solve day-to-day business issues.  It helps instill confidence in my own actions as a woman leader, and provides opportunities to learn how other women handle difficult issues, the importance of time management, and at the end of a long workday, self-care.  After every network meeting, I always walk away feeling inspired and energized.” Recently, in a different capacity, Frakes was offered an opportunity to become a speaker herself.

 

As a result of her involvement in this group, Frakes was selected to join three other female panelists, plus a moderator, on stage for the MERA Annual Conference (9/28/22-9/29/22 in Metro Detroit, Michigan). During this hour-long discussion, the women leaders answered questions about technology, sustainability, supply chain issues, workforce development, and more. The panel was a great success and many people from the audience came up to ask further questions and hand the women their business cards. Frakes believes that because of this experience, and the level of engagement from other member organizations, there may well be additional partnership opportunities for AER with other MERA members.

 

 

To watch a short clip from the MERA Annual Conference, click the link below: