We sit down with Michael Lefenfeld, President, CEO, and Chair of the Board at Hexion Inc., a global leader in adhesives and performance materials headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Since joining Hexion in early 2023, Michael has been leading an ambitious transformation—positioning the company as an AI‑first, technology‑driven materials innovator. From manufacturing and supply chain to R&D, he’s integrating artificial intelligence and advanced analytics across the enterprise to reshape how the company operates.

Before Hexion, Michael served as CEO of Cyanco, led SiGNa Chemistry, founded Alkami Consulting Group, and launched Blood Gas Diagnostics. He holds more than 100 patents and patent applications, was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and guided SiGNa Chemistry to win the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Award.

In this conversation, we explore:

Join us for a forward‑looking discussion on AI, sustainability, and the future of materials science with one of the industry’s most innovative leaders.

Keywords: AI Manufacturing • Materials Innovation • Sustainability • Industry 4.0

In this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Ewing, Founder and CEO of TerraSlate—a Colorado-based manufacturing company and global leader in waterproof, tear-proof paper and ultra-durable printed materials.

Kyle has grown TerraSlate from a basement startup into a $40 million vertically integrated manufacturing enterprise, serving customers ranging from the U.S. military and NFL teams to Michelin-starred restaurants and Fortune 500 manufacturers. Remarkably, he built the company with zero outside funding and still owns it outright.

TerraSlate is a compelling example of modern American manufacturing in action: lean operations, same-day fulfillment for 95% of orders, in-house innovation of nano-coated and military-grade materials, and a culture-first leadership approach. The company competes head-to-head with low-cost imports—while keeping production in the U.S. and pushing the boundaries of advanced materials.

Kyle also brings deep insight into scaling without outside capital, building resilient manufacturing systems, and leading teams with kindness, clarity, and discipline. He is the author of Ideas to Empires, where he shares lessons on building factories that can scale sustainably—even without the founder in the room.

Join us for a conversation on growth, innovation, operations, and culture—and what it truly takes to build a successful advanced manufacturing company from the ground up.

Keywords: manufacturing leadership, advanced materials,
vertically integrated manufacturing, workforce culture

Prasoon Saxena serves as president of the Global Products Business Unit at NTT DATA. A veteran leader with more than 25 years of experience in digital transformation and global operations, Prasoon has played a pivotal role in helping some of the world’s largest manufacturers harness technology to drive innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness.

At NTT DATA, he guides industry strategy and product innovation across manufacturing, automotive, consumer goods, transportation, and logistics—industries undergoing rapid change as AI and advanced digital systems reshape how products are designed, built, and delivered. Over his eight years with the company, Prasoon has strengthened NTT DATA’s leadership in digital and AI solutions used by many of the world’s top enterprises, including 75% of the Fortune Global 100.

Before joining NTT DATA, Prasoon held senior leadership roles at Dell Services and Wipro, where he helped global organizations navigate complex operational and technological transformations. In 2025, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), where he contributes to national discussions on manufacturing competitiveness, policy, workforce development, and innovation strategy.

Keywords: digital transformation, AI in manufacturing, Industry 5.0, agentic AI, cybersecurity, data strategy, workforce development, National Association of Manufacturers

Charles Cohen serves as president of Fotofab, a Chicago-based specialty manufacturer recognized for photochemical machining and the production of high-precision metal components. Founded in 1967 and later becoming the first company acquired by The Partner Companies (TPC), Fotofab serves critical industries, including aerospace, defense, medical devices, and electronics. 

Charles joined Fotofab in 2000 as Chief Financial Officer and was named president in 2010. He has been instrumental in modernizing Fotofab’s operations, expanding its customer base, and guiding its integration into TPC’s network of specialty manufacturers. Under his leadership, Fotofab continues to push innovation in photochemical etching to meet emerging market needs for lighter, thinner, finely detailed components with fast turnaround. 

Most recently, Charles was elected to the Board of Directors of the Photo Chemical Machining Institute (PCMI), where he helps advance technical exchange, education, and benchmarking across the photochemical machining community. 

Keywords: Photochemical Machining, Precision Metal Components, Manufacturing Innovation, Aerospace & Defense, Workforce Development

Michael Masser is group product manager at Plex, a Rockwell Automation company, where he leads initiatives in supply chain and smart manufacturing solutions. Since joining Rockwell, he has been responsible for shaping product strategy, guiding roadmap development, and aligning customer requirements with emerging technologies to strengthen supply chain management capabilities. His role includes working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure product offerings address the operational and business needs of manufacturers. 

Prior to Rockwell Automation, Michael held leadership positions in product management, business development, and logistics. At World Options Inc., he oversaw initiatives in shipping and logistics that informed his broader approach to supply chain efficiency. His combined background in business development, logistics operations, and product management gives him a comprehensive understanding of how digital tools can drive measurable improvements in manufacturing and supply chain performance. 

Keywords: Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain Innovation

Russ Bukowski is president of Mastercam, the world’s most widely used CAM software. With decades of experience driving product innovation and strategic partnerships, Russ is leading Mastercam into a new era—where AI, advanced automation, and precision programming are reshaping how machinists and shops operate. Under his leadership, Mastercam 2026 introduces powerful new features designed to boost productivity, efficiency, and usability—while helping manufacturers stay globally competitive.

Chris Basgall is CEO of Catamount Machine Works, a precision machining company based in the Tampa area. Catamount delivers high-quality components for industries ranging from aerospace to energy, and Chris brings a unique perspective as both an engineer and business leader. He’s navigating the real-world challenges of workforce development, automation, and staying ahead in a fast-moving supply chain.

Robyn Bolton is founder & chief navigator of MileZero, an innovation consultancy that helps manufacturing leaders turn bold ideas into tangible results.  

Robyn began her career at Procter & Gamble, where she led the North American launches of Swiffer and Swiffer WetJet, and shaped strategy for P&G’s $2B Household Needs portfolio at Walmart. She went on to become a partner at the firm founded by Clayton Christensen, the Father of Disruptive Innovation, before launching MileZero. 

Her work spans multiple industries, from manufacturing to energy, advising leaders at industrial and consumer goods companies as wide ranging as Nike, Medtronic, Baltimore Aircoil (BAC), and Motif Food Works. She is the author of Unlocking Innovation: A Leader’s Guide for Turning Bold Ideas Into Tangible Results. 

Rosemary Coates is the the founder and executive director of the Reshoring Institute (reshoringinstitute.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding U.S. manufacturing supply chains. She is also president of Blue Silk Consulting, a global supply-chain management consulting firm. 

With more than 35 years of experience, Rosemary has advised over 100 companies worldwide on global supply chain strategies. She is a best-selling author of five books, including The Reshoring Guidebook and Legal Blacksmith – How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes. She is a frequent contributor to media outlets such as CNN, Forbes, and IndustryWeek. 

Rosemary also serves as an expert witness in legal cases involving global supply chains. She is a board member of the University of San Diego’s Supply Chain Management Institute, and she teaches Global Supply Chain Strategy at UC Berkeley. She earned an MBA from the University of San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in business logistics from Arizona State University. 

Today’s guest is Jason Corso, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Voxel51 and professor of Robotics and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Michigan. With over 20 years of experience in computer vision and nearly 150 published papers, Jason has been a driving force in advancing AI tools that have become increasingly relevant to manufacturing. 

Voxel51 helps manufacturers bring visual AI applications from concept to the production floor—powering solutions for defect detection, predictive maintenance, and quality assurance. In this episode, we’ll dive into what it really takes to implement computer vision systems in manufacturing environments, from managing messy real-world data to unlocking smarter, more efficient operations through AI. 

Jason graduated with honors in Computer Science from Loyola College and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.

Kendra DeKeyrel is the Vice President of Software at IBM, where she leads global strategy for AI-powered asset management and intelligent operations in manufacturing. With a passion for helping manufacturers navigate digital transformation, Kendra focuses on deploying emerging technologies—including AI/ML, generative AI, and automation—to improve efficiency, worker safety, and sustainability.

Her work has driven transformative change at some of the world’s most respected companies, including Ford and Novate Solutions, using innovations like real-time data insights, AI agents, and connected systems to streamline manufacturing workflows. She is a frequent contributor to industry media and a recognized thought leader in Industry 4.0, smart factories, and technology-driven productivity.

Whether it’s advancing ESG goals, reducing operational risk, or preparing for the future of work, Kendra is a champion of the next generation of manufacturing excellence.

Keywords: Industry 4.0, AI in manufacturing, Predictive maintenance, Digital transformation, Manufacturing productivity