WiG: Building Momentum, Galvanizing Change

Last year, the AGA launched Women in Galvanizing (WiG) to empower, connect, and inspire women across the hot-dip galvanizing industry. Since its inaugural meeting last August, WiG has continued to gain momentum by creating meaningful opportunities for conversation, visibility, education, and networking. Looking ahead, the initiative is positioned to expand into mentorship and leadership development, further strengthening its impact across the industry.

To support different ways of connecting and learning, WiG programming is taking shape through in-person events as well as a few recurring virtual formats:

• WiG Wisdom features women sharing their professional experiences, career journeys, lessons learned, and advice for others in the industry.
• WiG Works offers practical knowledge-sharing on focused topics, industry challenges, or skills that help members grow professionally.
• WiG & Sip provides an informal, open coffee-chat style forum for conversation, networking, and peer support.

WiG Wisdom events have been an early highlight because they reflect the heart of the initiative: creating space for encouragement, recognition, practical insight, and inspiration. As WiG Works expands and WiG & Sip launches later this year, these recurring formats will provide multiple ways for members to share experiences, build relationships, and strengthen leadership voices across the industry.

Building a Stronger, More Inclusive Community

To build lasting success and meaningful change, WiG depends on broad participation across the industry. While the initiative was designed to empower women already working in galvanizing and attract more women to the profession, its long-term impact will be strengthened by the support and engagement of the broader membership.

Men are encouraged to participate in WiG events as listeners, learners, and allies. Their engagement helps expand understanding, bring additional perspectives to the conversation, and support a more inclusive industry culture.

Upcoming WiG Opportunities to Get Involved

There’s no time like the present to get involved. WiG has several upcoming opportunities for members to connect, contribute, and support the initiative:

• WiG Wisdom with Gloria Da Ros — August 26: Email Melissa to RSVP and receive the calendar invite.
• TechForum Presentation and Happy Hour: WiG will host two in-person events at TechForum: a sponsored General Session presentation, Perspective Matters, and a World Café-style happy hour designed to spark conversation, share ideas, and strengthen connections across the community.
• WiG & Sip — TBD late October/early November: Plans are underway for the inaugural coffee-chat style forum where members can connect, exchange ideas, ask questions, and build relationships in a relaxed setting.
• WiG Works Knowledge Share — TBD December: The year’s events will close with a practical knowledge-sharing session designed to exchange ideas, experiences, and tools members can take back to their own teams.

Forging Ahead

The WiG Core Team is building on the program’s momentum by exploring additional opportunities to support professional growth, including potential third-party leadership training and structured mentorship. These efforts will be tailored to advance WiG’s core objectives of networking, professional development, advocacy, outreach, inspiration, and recognition.

Whether you are early in your career, an experienced leader, or simply passionate about strengthening the future of the industry, your voice and perspective matter. WiG is open to all members who want to help shape a more connected, inclusive, and supportive galvanizing community – one that expands leadership opportunities for women and helps the entire industry thrive.