Bri Ehana
in Connect on LinkedIn
Domestic manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence, and one of the critical inputs for that growth is people power. Far from relying solely on automation, the industry is often at the forefront of innovation as companies adopt smarter, more efficient methods to meet rising demand.
Bri Ehana, a business development strategist at Burns & McDonnell, supports manufacturing projects across several submarkets within the food and beverage sector. Having transitioned from a nontechnical marketing and communications role, she brings firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities that come with adapting to the dynamic landscape of modern manufacturing.
Q: Why should job seekers consider a career in manufacturing today?
A: We’re at an inflection point. Opportunities for onshoring are expanding, driven by rapidly evolving tariff policies and volatile global dynamics. Significant investment is being poured into the manufacturing ecosystem to strengthen supply chains and increase resilience. It’s an exciting time in the industry as the sector responds to geopolitical, economic and technological shifts. People are really sinking their teeth into the myriad of opportunities.
Q: What inspired you to transition your career into the manufacturing sector?
A: It’s been three years since I joined my team, and during that time I’ve been inspired by both the direction the business is heading but also macro trends shaping the manufacturing industry. I felt a strong pull to contribute in a more hands-on way — supporting clients directly and being part of the action on the ground at their facilities. At first, it felt like learning a completely new language, and there have been countless moments where I’ve operated far outside of my comfort zone. Diving deep into the core principles of successful project execution — from conceptual design through construction and commissioning — has been my biggest opportunity for growth. It has also been the most rewarding part of the journey.
Q: How have you built your technical skills, and what kind of transferable skills have you been able to leverage?
A: Communication and collaboration are the cornerstones of a successful team, regardless of industry. Coming from a communications background, I’ve found that my ability to connect ideas and people has been quite valuable. As a right-brained person in a left-brained environment, my voice brings a different angle to what are often highly technical discussions, helping bridge gaps and sparking new thinking.
For the last three years, I’ve been in what I call “insatiable sponge mode.” I’ve embraced every opportunity to learn, asking questions without hesitation and seeking to understand the nuances of our work. There are no silly questions when they come from a genuine desire to foster collaboration and deeper understanding.
I’ve also made it a point to get into the field as often as I can, visiting clients, touring facilities and observing active jobsites firsthand. That experience has been instrumental in building technical competency. Curiosity begets competency and thus plays a huge role. Engineers are innately curious, and they appreciate thoughtful questions about their work. I’ve built trust and gained incredible insights by actively listening and being unafraid to ask, “Can you walk me through that?”
Q: What’s your favorite part of working in this industry?
A: It’s the fact that no two days are the same. That’s the nature of manufacturing — there’s always innovation and change is constant. This creates ongoing opportunities to bridge between what keeps our clients up at night and how we deliver solutions through our project execution models. The industry is never static, and I really enjoy the unpredictability of it all and how our team rises to meet challenges with agility and ingenuity.
Q: What advice would you give women looking to make a similar career move?
A: Switching industries is never easy. Imposter syndrome is real. But leaning into discomfort has fueled my personal and professional growth in ways I never anticipated.
Don’t be afraid to be bold. Stay open and willing to learn at every turn, and give yourself permission to show up as you are. It’s brave to carry your unique experiences and perspective into unfamiliar spaces. Coming from a nontechnical background, I’ve seen how valuable that perspective can be, especially as the workforce evolves to meet growing domestic demands. We need more people who see things differently, especially in times of change.
Strong relationship-building skills are essential. Being able to take the gifts and grit that got you in the room and learning to own and translate them as you move toward new goals is at the core of what it takes to thrive. The future of manufacturing is being built today, and there’s never been a better time to be part of it.
Building the facilities of tomorrow involves everything from site selection and master planning to design, construction and startup.
