Sisterhood Spotlight
CEO of MELD® Manufacturing and Aeroprobe Corporation
As Chief Executive Officer of MELD® Manufacturing and Aeroprobe Corporation, Nanci Hardwick and her company have revolutionized the metal additive manufacturing business with its solid-state printing process. She also serves on numerous boards that emphasize the importance of leadership, community, and business. In this Sisterhood Spotlight, Nanci discusses her role and company, her success, the importance of the S.T.E.M. fields, the future of manufacturing, and resources for women interested in manufacturing.
Tell us a little about your company MELD® and your role as CEO.
MELD® Manufacturing Corporation makes equipment to 3D print big metal parts. Many of these big parts aren’t made in America by American companies anymore. We are passionate about supporting the capability for in-country manufacturing with this technology.
As CEO, I have helped lead MELD® from a concept to commercialization with several awards, including R&D100’s most disruptive new technology worldwide. The company holds over two dozen patents and manufactures industrial MELD® printers capable of printing large metal parts that replace traditional forgings.
Aeroprobe provides the aerospace industry with advanced pitot tubes and air data systems designed to improve safety and performance of unmanned aerial vehicles. Aeroprobe also designs, manufacturers, and calibrates multi-hole probes used by researchers around the world for design validation.
At a young age, you quickly moved up the corporate ladder — to what to you accredit your success?
I’m grateful to live in a country where anything is possible with hard work. I’ve been very lucky to be supported by the teams around me to pursue a vision for a better future. One of the core values in our company is to be inventive. Inventors are willing to try, and learn from failures. I try, and adjust as needed based on what I learn from my shortcomings.
What would you say to young girls interested in the S.T.E.M. fields and its importance in today’s workforce?
Be inventive. Try. Fail. Learn. In our current and future workforce, we need a diverse population helping to generate creative solutions and make them a reality.
How do you see the field of manufacturing developing in the next five years and how can people interested in entering this field best prepare themselves for these changes?
Our nation’s resiliency and independence depends on our ability to manufacture for ourselves. The manufacturing that additive (3D printing) allows will bring new jobs that range from machine technicians and operators to scientists and engineers designing new metal alloys and parts. Preparing to be part of innovation involves practicing trying new things and experiencing the joy of learning.
Are there resources available to women interested in educational or vocational opportunities in manufacturing?
Some great programs that I’ve seen in Virginia include the Women in Manufacturing-Virginia Chapter. They offer a mentoring program, a professional development program, and a virtual learning center for young females interested in this field. iMake Virginia offers opportunities surrounding career exploration, camps and academies, and apprenticeships. The Manufacturing Skills Institute can provide people with industry solutions and credentials as well as apprenticeships. My last recommended resource is a week-long, women in S.T.E.M. residential experience hosted by Radford. This program is available to female high school sophomores through seniors who are interested in the hard sciences.
About Nanci Hardwick
Nanci Hardwick is CEO of MELD® Manufacturing Corporation and Aeroprobe Corporation. She is an avid lover of Star Wars and science fiction because it inspires her to consider to the possibilities of the future. She now works to help create advanced realities.
Ms. Hardwick also loves learning. Most of what she knows about engineering and science she taught herself. She’s been an entrepreneur for over twenty years, and after having experienced business in a software-based engineering company, she decided that she would rather create real, tangible things. Initially, she did not have an appreciation for how much harder manufacturing is, or how much more expensive it is to establish and operate, compared to a service-based business. Navigating to successful technology development and manufacturing of commercial products has been an immense challenge, but the accomplishments have been incredibly exciting and rewarding.
Additionally, Nanci is an active volunteer in her community. She sits on the Virginia Manufacturing Association’s Board of Directors and has previously served as Founding Member and Board Chair of the AUVSI Ridge and Valley Chapter; Board Chair for Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), Board Chair for United Way; Board Vice-Chair for OnwardNRV; Founding Board Member of Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Network (RBIN), Virginia Tech CRC Community Impact Program, and United Way’s United in Caring Fund; Board Member of New River Community College Foundation and Lyric Theatre; and Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA).
She has received many awards and been recognized by a previous Governor of Virginia for leadership in community and business.