IEN Radio

LISTEN: Gen Z in Manufacturing: Ditch Authority and Lead With Empathy

Eric Sorensen

Welcome to another episode of Gen Z in Manufacturing, a podcast that asks young people about their journeys in manufacturing, how they intend to influence the industry and what they are looking for from an employer.

This episode welcomes Emily Molstad, a 27-year-old CEO and co-founder at VALIS Insights, a startup and member of Manufacturing USA Institute REMADE that develops AI-powered software designed to close the loop on a circular economy for metal fabrication.

Molstad co-founded VALIS after spending over five years at Solvus Global, a technology-solution provider that specializes in additive manufacturing, machine learning and sustainable materials processing. The concept for VALIS originated at Solvus and was eventually entrusted to Molstad and a co-founder by one of her mentors in 2022.

Molstad was also named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 North America 2024 edition for manufacturing and industry.