Alena Savoie, a safety coordinator at the ExxonMobil Complex in Beaumont
Alena Savoie, a safety coordinator at the ExxonMobil Complex in Beaumont, was named a 2025 Women MAKE Award honoree during its annual Awards Gala on April 24 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Each year, the the Manufacturing Institute honors 100 industry leaders (honorees) and 30 rising stars (emerging leaders) who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication in their field. The women are also recognized for their contributions and commitment to mentoring and inspiring the next generation.
“More and more women are finding opportunities and breaking barriers in manufacturing,” said Carolyn Lee, president of the Manufacturing Institute. “By highlighting its success, we show that the industry is a space for growth and impact.”
Savoie, who is a personnel safety team group lead, was recognized among the group of women leading the way in manufacturing — excelling professionally and making a difference in their communities.
“I am empowered by Nelson Mandela’s mantra: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’” noted Savoie. “When setting out to do what has not been done before, those words ignite courage and perserverance as I venture unto the uncharted and unknown.”
At the Beaumont Complex, Savoie undertook extensive research, including meeting with employees in the field, taking noise measurements and understanding unit boundaries, to overhaul the base personal protective equipment requirements, according to company officials.
Once a plan was developed, Savoie secured endorsements from senior operations staff by meeting individually with shift superintendents and discussing their concerns, leading to a successful and lasting new protocol.
As a safety coordinator, Savoie facilitated a large-scale culture workshop that focused on practical applications.
As the vice president of the Black Employee Success Team, she manages 10 steering committee chairs and uses her platform to mentor, engage with and serve as a role model for incoming female and Black employees.
Beyond her work with ExxonMobil, Savoie serves on the Golden Triangle Business Roundtable Executive Board as the safety chair, where she is in charge for connecting industrial safety professionals from the petrochemical, refining, energy and construction sectors throughout the local region.
The the community, she has been recognized as a Young Leader to Watch by the 100-Plus Black Women Coalition, a Southeast Texas Young Professional’s 40 Under 40 honoree and named an American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers Emerging Leader.
She also extends benefits to youth in her community, providing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning experiences for educators and providing enrichment opportuntiies for students in underprivileged communities.
Savoie is the mother of three young children.
The application to nominate an outstanding female in manufacturing for the award was Aug. 1 – Oct. 11, 2024.
The Women MAKE Awards are part of the Women MAKE America initiative, which seeks to close the talent gap in manufacturing and foster role models to inspire more women to join the industry. Since its launch in 2011, the program has honored more than 1,700 individuals, many of whom have continued to pay it forward by mentoring and supporting future manufacturing talent.
— Dannie Oliveaux
