Q&A: The new Mass. advanced manufacturing director eyes innovation and workforce
Photo | Massachusetts Tech Collaborative
Christine Nolan, director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Massachusetts Tech Collaborative, a Westborough-based state agency focused on technology and innovation and colloquially known as MassTech, named Christine Nolan as the director of its new Center for Advanced Manufacturing in December. Nolan, a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, most recently served as senior director for client services at Virtual, Inc., a consulting and management services firm in Wakefield. Nolan sat down with WBJ to discuss what her job entails and how she plans to continue supporting the state’s manufacturing industry.
Can you tell me a bit about yourself and why CAM is the right place for you?
I started my career as a manufacturing engineer and worked in another number of small to medium-sized firms out on the shop floor, meeting with different contract manufacturers, understanding how we improve the processes and quality products being used at original equipment manufacturers. It was super interesting and really great to connect with these smaller manufacturers working hard to build their businesses.
So for a number of reasons, my career transitioned, and I moved over to, after about 15 years, the tech industry, and took on a community development role. I worked for the MassTech Leadership Council and really enjoyed that -- pulling in an industry together, pulling people together, to hear their challenges and how, collectively, we could solve those challenges. I found a niche there and really enjoyed that. And so then when this opportunity became available, it was an opportunity to connect my manufacturing career with community development and do similar work, but in manufacturing.
What is CAM’s role in the state’s manufacturing industry?
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing, which is led by an advisory board chaired by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. We have three pillars: innovation, workforce and business, which means making sure we have an environment in Massachusetts for manufacturers to succeed.
We have a number of programs underneath each pillar to support that goal.
What are some helpful approaches to breaking down antiquated stereotypes around manufacturing?
It’s going to be about doing a lot of branding and marketing around cool, new innovative processes and technologies out there showcasing manufacturing as cool. Also, showing there are a lot of jobs available, from the early entry-level technician and up.
Is there any aspect of your role or any project you're particularly excited to take on and sort of run with?
Prior to coming here, I was a co-founder of Boston Tech Jam, which was built up to be about a 7,000-person event taking place on Boston City Hall Plaza. I have this vision of being able to do something similar in the manufacturing world. In a post-COVID world, we want to see what comes with that.
This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by WBJ Staff Writer Monica Busch.
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