Industrial automation looks different from what it did a decade ago. Digital twins, AI-driven systems, and software are transforming the way we work across industries. And the people behind these advancements are changing too.
Today, women working in robotics and automation are breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible. They hold advanced certifications and lead technical teams. They engineer groundbreaking technologies and establish new standards. Most importantly, they're pulling up a seat at the table and helping set the direction for the future of automation.
Let’s talk about what it means and what it takes to keep paving the way forward.
WHY WOMEN IN AI & ROBOTICS MATTER
Automation is a problem-solving discipline. And men and women approach problems differently. The questions they ask, the constraints they design around, their risk tolerances, and definitions of success tend to differ. It’s this diversity of perspectives that makes outcomes measurably better.
Historically, women’s strengths have been framed around collaboration and communication. Those skills matter. But women in automation are also bringing the technical depth and certifications to match. It’s this powerful combination that helps them rise and lead across the full product lifecycle — and beyond.
As automation shifts toward software development, digital twin simulation, and physical AI, we’re seeing the barriers that once made the industry feel inaccessible come down. In fact, these are some of the fastest-growing areas for female engineers and product managers. Emerging technology is leveling the playing field faster, and women are rising to the occasion.
The question isn’t whether women belong in tech and automation. It’s whether the industry is structured for them to succeed.
TOP ADVICE FROM OTHERS
There is no single playbook for women in AI and robotics. Every path is different. Talk to women who've built careers in industrial automation, and you’ll see patterns emerge. The ones who've navigated this space tend to share a few things in common. Here is what many leaders recommend:
Be curious
The women who thrive in this industry read widely, go to the lunches, and ask the questions others may not. They follow threads and build understanding over time. This habit of staying curious compounds over time in ways that are hard to fake or shortcut.
Advocate for yourself
One of the most consistent pieces of advice from women in this field is not to discount what you're about to say before you say it. The instinct is often to soften, to hedge, to defer. But this comes with a cost. Know — and believe in — your worth and what you bring to the table. This is a practice that gets easier over time and is worth developing early.
Build your network
Don’t just build a contact list. Really think of networking as an opportunity to get advice, get inspired, and build relationships with people who can support you on your path. That can sound like a big task, but simplify it. Set a goal to meet five new people before leaving a conference, ask for the lunch that's just about advice and questions, find mentors who give honest feedback, and mentees who push you to articulate what you know. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn.
Stay adaptable
Careers in this field don't move in straight lines. They fork, stall, and accelerate unexpectedly. The women who've navigated that well tend to hold two things at once: a clear, direct vision of where they're going and a wide peripheral view that lets them respond to what's actually happening.
HOW DO WE EMPOWER WOMEN LEADING CHANGE?
Representation isn’t just about who’s in the room. It’s about what becomes possible when we support women in robotics, technology, STEM, and any other industry. Mentorship, visibility, and collaboration are all essential to driving collective momentum for change.
At Automate 2026, that momentum continues to grow more and more visible across our programming. Women are presenting, leading sessions, shaping standards, and keynoting the show. But beyond just their voices and expertise, these women are paving the way for every other woman who attends the event.
Where can you find female leaders in automation?
The Automate Women’s Empowerment Forum is a dedicated space, brought to you by the Association for Advancing Automation, that brings women together across the automation industry to drive progress. From a panel presentation to networking and candid conversations, this event is about where the industry is going and who's going to lead it. The forum is free to attend when you register for the show or conference. Reservations are required, and spots are limited, though!
WOMEN IN ROBOTICS AND AI AT AUTOMATE 2026
Hear from other women in the industry who are leading teams, product launches, innovation, and company growth. These are the voices everyone in the industry is learning from — and they are here at Automate. From our keynote stage to our conference sessions, here are just a few of the many women in AI and robotics to hear from at Automate.
AnneMarie Breu
Siemens
Taking the main Keynote stage at Automate 2026, AnneMarie Breu is breaking down “The Automation Leap” alongside her colleague Chris Stevens. Together, they’ll explore industrial AI and the shift happening in manufacturing. Breu is a prime example of someone who brings passion and problem-solving to the table to make things happen.
Roberta Nelson Shea
Universal Robots
One of the leading voices in robotics, Roberta Nelson Shea is a 2023 Joseph F. Engelberger Award recipient, named one of the "Twenty Women Making Their Mark in Robotics & Automation" by Smart Manufacturing, and recognized by many industry organizations for her work. This year, she explores key changes and implications of the new ISO 10218 and revised R15.06 standards.
Sarah Andrzejewski
Yaskawa America, Inc.
Sarah Andrzejewski holds advanced certifications, manages product lifecycles for industrial robotics, and is now teaching others how to take on unstructured environments. Her conference session dives into exploring AI-enabled approaches to automating in unpredictable and complex environments alongside human workers.
Brenda Courim
Gudel Inc.
From designing automotive connectors to leading marketing and sales at Gudel Inc., Brenda Courim has built her career at the intersection of mechanical engineering and factory automation. She is bringing that expertise to the Automate Conference to explore the technologies that extend robotic capabilities beyond a fixed base to boost production lines.
Tasha Miller
ARM Institute
Tasha Miller works in the gap between what's possible in the lab and what's deployable on the manufacturing floor. As director of technology programs at the ARM Institute, she's focused on accelerating AI-enabled robotics into real production environments. Her conference session tackles how to accelerate the path from R&D to commercialization by providing an architecture, guiding principles, and roadmap for the manufacturing industry.
Zeeba Mercer
TÜV Rheinland of North America Inc.
Zeeba Mercer specializes in the standards and frameworks that make emerging technology trustworthy and reliable. With extensive experience across industries, she brings a unique blend of expertise, operations, and alignment to her projects. At the conference, she will explore how the ISO/IEC 42001 standard is the key to unlocking the future of AI.
From automation fundamentals to ROI conversations and real-world use cases, find more powerful voices and sessions at the Automate Conference. Browse the agenda here.
LET’S SHOW UP FOR THE INDUSTRY
The conversations about women in robotics and automation aren't just for women. They’re for everyone who hires, builds teams, or runs a department. A few things worth doing, beyond good intentions:
Hire consciously
Examine the assumptions built into your interview process, your job descriptions, and your evaluation criteria. Diverse hiring requires someone in the room who is paying attention to the process itself.
Amplify other voices
When a woman in your organization, or any underrepresented group, is doing strong work, acknowledge and share it. Visibility is built one credited idea at a time, so amplify the voices that may not always be heard or seen.
Build networks that cross ranks
Some of the most valuable professional relationships are between people ten years apart in their careers, asking each other honest questions. Mentorship goes both ways.
Attend industry events
Trade shows and conferences like Automate keep you on the pulse. The key is setting a goal before you walk in, whether it’s exploring the latest solutions or building connections that open doors. You never know what might matter for the next decade.
At Automate 2026, you have the opportunity to hear from and meet with industry leaders from across all levels and company sizes. Whether you plan on simply exploring the floor or are looking to build deeper connections in our Women’s Empowerment Forum, we’re here to help build a stronger future — for yourself and the automation industry.
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