Lexi Champion
National Director, STEP Ahead The Manufacturing Institute
Lexi is the National Director of STEP Ahead at The Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In this role, she leads initiatives aimed at closing the skills gap in manufacturing, empowering women to excel and take on leadership positions within the manufacturing industry.
Prior to joining The Manufacturing Institute, Lexi spent eight years at Stand Together, where she held multiple positions, including directing grantmaking efforts to support nonprofit organizations addressing poverty in their communities. She also worked in fundraising and events, where she developed donor stewardship and engagement strategies while managing giving societies to enhance philanthropic impact.
Lexi earned her B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Georgia, where her dedication to social change was ignited. Originally from Athens, Georgia, she now resides in Arlington, Virginia.
Seminars
- Addressing one of the most significant workforce challenges by creating a comprehensive guide for manufacturers that outlines childcare solutions, from on-site facilities to stipends and resource navigation, tailored to different levels of investment and operational complexity
- Equipping employers with practical strategies to support working parents, including leveraging government programs, building partnerships with local providers, and designing flexible benefits that align with shift-based work environments
- Driving measurable impact by improving retention, reducing absenteeism, and strengthening talent pipelines, positioning childcare support as a critical lever for workforce participation and competitiveness in manufacturing.
- What practical strategies help employers overcome childcare challenges in shift-based environments without excessive cost or complexity?
- How can organizations uncover hidden value in existing health benefits to build trust and loyalty among employees?
- What role do partnerships with local providers, government programs, and flexible benefits play in creating inclusive workforce support?
- How can manufacturers measure the ROI of family and health initiatives beyond retention, such as engagement, absenteeism, and productivity?
