As CEO Cynthia Hutchison leads efforts to engage the national manufacturing ecosystem through local, national, and international projects and activities that accelerate the transition toward advanced manufacturing. She directs programming that helps shape the global agenda on the future of production, strengthen the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in the United States, and marries new technology and processes with valuable, tried manufacturing practices.

 Immediately prior to being named Head of Center, Hutchison completed a 12-month World Economic Forum (WEF) Fellowship in the United States and Geneva, Switzerland, managing the development of the WEF’s Global Network of Advanced Manufacturing Hubs (AMHUB). The fellowship was awarded based on Hutchison’s achievements as the Vice President of Automation Alley, where her championing of Automation Alley’s Industry 4.0 efforts were instrumental in shifting the organization from a business and technology networking association to a globally recognized Industry 4.0 knowledge center. Ultimately, these efforts led to Automation Alley’s partnership with WEF to launch Michigan’s AMHUB, which is working to collaboratively accelerate digital transformation for small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state.

With an innate ability to authentically connect people and organizations for actionable and measurable outcomes, Hutchison develops and maintains strong relationships with corporate leaders, elected officials, academia and strategic partners in the United States and abroad. A charismatic speaker and raconteur, her professional career began in sales in the telecommunications field, but she switched gears to establish the international outreach organization Band of Angels to advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, including her son Jordan. Because of her work with Band of Angels, Hutchison was appointed by two Michigan Governors to serve on non-partisan commissions for inclusion.

Among her many awards, Hutchison was named a Crain’s Detroit Business 2019 Notable Women in STEM, a Michiganian of the Year by the Detroit News in 2007 and one of Woman’s Day Magazine’s “Women Who Inspire Us” in 2006. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Communications from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.