Breaking stereotypes and building a career with Melissa Mazo, Straton Industries

How do you find a workplace that truly fits? For Melissa Mazo, Manufacturing Engineer Manager at Straton Industries, the answer lay in meaningful conversations, a culture of respect, and the power of a clean manufacturing facility. In this episode, Melissa shares her journey from a CT technical high school to leading in aerospace manufacturing, all while defying stereotypes and creating space for others to succeed. 

Melissa’s story begins with curiosity—learning how to create something tangible and meaningful as a teenager—and evolves into a career that blends technical mastery with leadership. Along the way, she overcame cultural and gender barriers, proving that women, particularly Latina women, have a powerful role to play in reshaping the manufacturing landscape. 

Tune in to hear Melissa’s insights, tips for identifying workplace cultures, and how her passion for “making things” has driven her career. Learn what the CT Technical Schools are doing to help build the workforce of tomorrow and why you should get involved in supporting them. 

Where you can find Melissa:  
Melissa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamazo/  
Company: https://straton.com/  
------- 
Podcast hosted by The Bolder Company: https://www.theboldercompany.com/ 
Podcast executive production by Gael Communications: https://www.gaelcommunications.com/ 
Podcast technical production by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/