EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
ADVISORY BOARD 2026

Regina Higgins

Regina's passion is providing innovative pumping & technology solutions to meet the needs of customers while leading the Eastern US Municipal Sales Team for Grundfos. Beginning her career in engineering roles afforded Regina a solid foundation to successfully transition into technical sales‚ her true love and fit for her intellectual curiosity, thrive of new challenges, and customer-centric mindfulness.

Regina’s recent accomplishments include selection as Grundfos Municipal MVP for 2 consecutive years and chosen as Grundfos' Reach for The Stars 2019 Sales Award Winner. Outside of Grundfos, Regina offers support and hope to parents of children battling cancer. She knows firsthand how difficult it is to be a parent battling for their child's life, and the importance of hope and support. Her pledge to make the journey a little easier for others is a result of her son's survival and resilience for 16 years and counting.

For more information on Regina visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-higgins-a6790712/

Shannon Bumgarner

Shannon Bumgarner is a courageous change maker inspiring leadership transformation within organizations and with women in technical careers. As a seasoned leader with 20+ years of experience, her human centric leadership has cultivated belonging cultures resulting in significant improvements in diversity, employee engagement, and business performance. Shannon is also passionate about mentoring women in largely male-dominated industries with a broader impact on gender equity in STEM and gender wealth equality.

For more information on Shannon visit: linkedin.com/in/shannonbumgarner

Dianne McMaster

Dianne McMaster is a Senior Consultant at Emerson providing support and strategic directions for water, wastewater, and power businesses. Dianne volunteers her time with multiple organizations including American Lung Association Fight for Air Stair Climb, P3R Pittsburgh Marathon, Pennsylvania Women Work, Highmark Caring Place, Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and Society of Women Engineers. For more information on Dianne visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianne-mcmaster/

Daryl Anne Estill

Daryl is a Project Manager in the commercial MEP construction industry with experience spanning semiconductor, pharmaceutical, offices, CNG stations, and multifamily markets, both in traditional and design-build deliveries. In addition to her direct role, she is integral to strategic planning, training and development, and process improvements. She serves as Chair of TD Women’s ERG and Committee Member & Mentor for the TD Wilmer Hutchins High School mentorship program. As a public speaker, mentor, and industry leader, her advocacy work focuses on Women in Construction/Industry, Equity, Mental Health, and Servant Leadership. She is an Empowering Women in Industry Award Nominee 2022/2023.

For more information on Daryl visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darylanneestill/

Mary-Frances Klimek

Mary-Frances Klimek is the Superintendent at the Racine Wastewater Utility in Racine, Wisconsin. She oversees all wastewater operations, maintenance, laboratory services and regulatory compliance and most reporting. Prior to becoming Superintendent in 2015, she was the first woman to work outside of the lab or clerical support group. She is involved in committees regarding racial equity, inclusion, leadership and wellness. She is excited to be a new member of the Empowering Women in Industry Steering Committee. She is Chair of the Central States Water Environment Association Wisconsin Section, a past Local Arrangements Chair and current committee member for the annual conference. Additionally, she is the 2019 Empowering Women in Industry Mentor of the Year, a 7S member, recipient of the Water Environment Federation Hatfield Award and the CSWEA Operations Award. She was recently featured in Treatment Plant Operator Magazine and Water & Wastes Digest. She is most proud of her family and the support they show for the many projects she involves them in.

For more information on Mary-Frances visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-frances-klimek/

Kathy Johnson

Kathy Johnson has been a Mechanical Engineer for John Crane Inc. for 20 plus years. She plays an important role with the company with 20 plus years of experience. She provide dedication and commitment with products in the area of Compression Packing, Gaskets, PTFE and some Mechanical Seals items. She is very passionate with upholding and advocating for John Crane’s Brand.

She continuously makes strides in creating relationships with other women the Technical Industry. She has been a mentor and have offered guidance to young people within her community in reaching their goals in life.

Kathy is a member of FSA, Empowering Women, Society Women Engineers (SWE), National Technical Association (NTA) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

For more information on Kathy visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-johnson-85b6894/

Jennifer Cardillo

Jennifer Hauri Cardillo is a Marketing Professional for Burckhardt
Compression in the Americas. Burckhardt Compression, a Swiss company,
creates leading compression solutions for a sustainable energy future.
Change itself is a core driver of digital marketing and communications
transformation and these changes transcend the tools that enable it. Amazing
things happen when you listen to your customers. I am passionate about
creatively building customer-centric campaigns to meet customers where they
are. Also, a fine artist, I love to inspire people through visual storytelling.
For more information on Jennifer visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-
hauri-cardillo

Jill Miller

Jill Miller is a visionary leader in making work human again, dedicated to advancing economic mobility for workers. As Founder & CEO of Lunum, Jill is transforming how businesses measure & improve workforce impact, driving economic growth and stronger ecosystems where everyone is valued. With expertise in business development and manufacturing, Jill has a proven history of fostering partnerships and creating solutions that align operational excellence with workforce advancement. She previously founded Below the Line, an advisory firm that supported employee ownership transitions and developed entrepreneurship programs for underserved communities. Based in Evanston, IL, Jill serves on the Board of Directors for the Spondylitis Association of America and hosts Spondycast. She is a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council and was honored as the 2024 Innovator of the Year by Empowering Women in Industry.

Richa Paliwal

Richa Paliwal is a Regional Head/Director of Customer Sales and Support Center for Groundwater/Irrigation and Municipal market for the Americas region for Grundfos. Here we enable our customers to transform water management to build a sustainable future. In the past 11 years, I’ve progressed through multiple positions in customer service starting as an applications engineer to leading a team of engineers to heading the Americas regional customer support team. My journey has taught me to embrace and appreciate a new level of diversity and inclusion within the organization. I am passionate about building a team culture that is creative, collaborative and customer centric.

For more information on Richa visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa-paliwal-01912319/

Holly Montrose

Holly Montrose is the Vice President - HVACR Channel Sales, Drive Products
Division at ABB, Inc.; a leading global technology company that energizes the
transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable
future.
Holly joined ABB in April 2021 as the West Regional Sales Manager for HVAC Drives and after seven quick months, she was promoted to a newly created role of Director of Sales where she was responsible for cultivating a proactive sales approach, communicating the voice of customer back to the factory, and continuing the sales growth strategy. She brings years of significant expertise in technical sales across multiple industries such as HVAC, healthcare, manufacturing, environmental, and chemical.
Prior to joining ABB, Holly Montrose was a known talent in the industry. She
succeeded working for a small competitor, where she didn’t have the tools or
advantages of a large organization. She approached the role with the mind of a
student and taught herself about the HVAC industry and the technology used to
support it.
Holly has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with a focus in polymers, and a minor
in Business Administration. She believes that her studies in the sciences has been
a tremendous assets to her career. It has given her the tools to approach technical
sales with a systematic approach while constantly driving for the best solution.
Holly is no stranger to being a leader. She has spent majority of her life practicing
and participating in the dance world. She has multiple national titles, Choreography awards, and countless dancers who have become a part of her family. She believes that every person deserves to learn in a manner that supports their growth, and she applies this belief to her leadership role at ABB.

Ashley A. Wheeler Huffman

Ashley A. Wheeler Huffman is an Alabama native with a contagious passion for helping individuals and organizations transform their thinking and performance from commonplace to extraordinary. Her focus is maximizing potential through training, coaching, consulting and keynoting around leadership, women’s empowerment, resilience and organizational development topics. Through her keynotes, she shares invaluable insights gained from overcoming challenges and embracing vulnerability, encouraging women to find their voice, embrace their unique strengths and celebrate their victories. Off the stage, Ashley remains deeply committed to community service; her passion for making a positive impact is as evident in her philanthropic efforts.

For more information on Ashley visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyawheeler/

Jacquie Johnson

Jacquie serves as the Central – Area Executive at Alabama ONE. Jacquie has
worked in corporate America in the fields of business and banking for over 30 years.
Jacquie has a passion for financial wellness and community engagement.
Since her arrival to Tuscaloosa in 2019, she serves as the President on the Alabama
ONE Aspire Foundation Board, Backpack Connections Board, and the Advisory Board for Empowering Women in Industry. She has been awarded the Tuscaloosa Chapter of Credit Unions Community Service Award in 2020, as well as the 2022 SHARP Award (the letters mean Strong, Helpful, Authentic, Resilient & Purposeful) and the 2024 Temporary Emergency Services Legendary Service Award. In 2024, she was awarded the Empowering Woman of the Year. She participated in the Project Freedom and Vital Alabama Project, bringing awareness to the Good Samaritan Law that hopes to reduce opioid overdose deaths in Alabama. Jacquie is also a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa Class of 2021.
Prior to Alabama ONE, she co-founded and was the CEO of Bright Minds Youth
Development, a non-profit organization serving children and young adults in at-risk neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville, FL.
Jacquie is a mother of three and wife to Derrick Johnson.

For more information on Jacquie visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquie-johnson-a9035a206/

Rebecca Heustess

Meet Rebecca Heustess. With 18 years in the trades, Rebecca didn’t just find her footing—she laid it, grouted it, and sealed it. She started as a helper in the flooring world, but tile quickly became her calling. Through grit, determination, and a few tears, she rose through the ranks to finisher, then Journeyman Setter, and never looked back.In 2020, Rebecca was crowned Tile Setter of the Year at Grazzini Brothers, where she’s proudly worked for 13 years. She and her husband now help lead operations across the Midwest—proof that power couples wear work boots too. But her impact doesn’t stop there: Rebecca is the founder and chapter president of NAWIC Dakota Prairies #394, where she advocates for women in the trades, speaks at job fairs, and mentors young leaders stepping into non-traditional careers.When she’s off the clock, Rebecca is all about good vibes—traveling the world, throwing unforgettable parties, and spending time with her family and two lovable dogs.
Favorite Quote:
"If you see someone without a smile, give them yours." – Dolly Parton

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EMPOWERING WOMEN IN INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD 2026