Influential Woman · Manufacturing

Caitlin Hickerson

Founder, Summit Systems LLC

Waukesha, WI

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bradley University Degree Industrial Engineering Degree 2011 Cert Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Her Story

About Caitlin

I've been in manufacturing for about 14 years now, ever since I graduated from Bradley University in 2011 with my degree in Industrial Engineering. My main area of expertise is in excellent systems - these are end-to-end business process maps that cover an entire organization or enterprise, and they bring to light how to make better business decisions that are data-driven. I'm a Lean Six Sigma black belt, and one of my most notable achievements has been implementing a Lean Six Sigma mentorship program at my current organization, Generac. I'm really proud of developing a leadership style there where we put the people first and make sure that they're equipped to do their jobs well. Outside of my primary employment, I own two businesses. The first is Wild Heart Rentals, which I started in 2013 - we rent Airstreams in the summer through Outdoorsy.com and RVShare. The second is Summit Systems LLC, which I just launched about a month ago. It's a consulting business focused on developing and implementing excellent systems at businesses. I think about things in terms of skill set acquisition, so the Airstream business is fun, but it also lets me write off a lot of stuff in taxes, and it was a really good lesson in customer service.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Caitlin

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say I attribute my success to me - I'm the one that does it. A lot of hard work is what I would attribute it to. Dedication and hard work.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Learn how to focus on what matters - the rest is just white noise. And nobody will own your career the way you will. If you know what you want, and you're focused on it, you have to go out and get it. You have to be the person that makes that happen.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

It's okay to not be the nice one.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Learning how to integrate AI with process knowledge. There's a wealth of opportunity if you can take your process understanding and then learn how to layer AI on top of that. So much opportunity out there.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

If I'm being really honest, the top one is perfection. It is driving after that North Star. It is doing the best job that you possibly can. And then honesty is a very close second for me - I'm pretty transparent. Perseverance is the third one.

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