International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. Since the early 1900s, IWD has driven progress in workplace equality, from legislative milestones to shifting societal norms.
While significant strides have been made, challenges remain. Women make up nearly 50% of the global workforce but still face barriers such as pay gaps and leadership underrepresentation. Yet, their contributions continue to transform industries.
At Federal Foam Technologies (FFT), a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), we embrace the 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” by fostering an inclusive, diverse workplace where women lead and innovate.
Women Leading the Way at Federal Foam Technologies
Meet the women of Federal Foam Technologies who drive innovation, leadership and company success.
Tracy Bader, Production Lead
Tracy Bader began her career with FFT in 1996, the same year the company opened its ground-up plant in New Richmond, WI. She was searching for a stable job close to home to support her family and needed a role that offered better pay and benefits. She found exactly that—and much more—at FFT.
Starting in material handling, Tracy learned all about the different process technologies and machinery, which helped her be promoted into a lead role. As a Production Lead, Tracy has played a key role in refining processes and increasing efficiency on the production floor.
“I had the exciting opportunity to lead when we were implementing our form and trim area and waterjet equipment,” Tracy says. “My role was to optimize workflows and ensure that operators performed their tasks effectively.” Over the years, she has helped shape production scheduling and material movement, supporting FFT’s growth even through challenging times.
Hands-On Leadership to Drive Efficiency & Team Spirit
Tracy’s leadership style is hands-on—she doesn’t stand on the sidelines but actively works alongside her team.
“You respect your employees, and you get respect in return,” she says. “Treating employees with respect and recognizing their contributions creates a positive, motivated workforce.” Her approach has fostered an inclusive, supportive environment where team members feel valued and empowered to take ownership of their roles.
Like any leader, Tracy has faced challenges. One of her biggest goals has been streamlining processes to ensure clarity and efficiency. She has also adapted to evolving workforce dynamics, helping new employees integrate seamlessly while maintaining a strong team spirit. Through it all, her problem-solving mindset and commitment to improvement have made a lasting impact on FFT’s operations.
Accelerating Action by Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Tracy is a role model, not just for women at FFT but for anyone looking to grow within the company. Many employees look up to her as someone who started in material handling and worked her way up through dedication and hard work. Her advice for aspiring professionals? “Treat your team with respect, communicate openly, and lead by example. When employees feel valued and informed, they will work harder and take pride in what they do.”
For Tracy, International Women’s Day is an important reminder of how far women have come in the workplace. She takes pride in seeing women on the production floor take initiative and own their responsibilities. “Recognizing women’s contributions is key to helping them move up and forward in their careers,” she says. “At FFT, I’ve witnessed firsthand how women are stepping into leadership roles and making meaningful impacts in manufacturing.”
Chris Hulsing, HR Generalist
With a degree in Business Management from Hamilton Business College, Chris Hulsing’s career path has been one of continuous learning and evolution. She started at the American Red Cross and then worked at a cabinet manufacturer before making her way to Advanced Component Technologies (ACT), where she held roles in Health & Safety, Accounting, Customer Service and eventually her passion of HR.
In 2015, FFT acquired ACT, and Chris was immediately impressed with the alignment in culture between the organizations. “The executive team is so engaged and ingrained with the employees,” Chris says, something still true post-acquisition. “That is rare, and you don’t see that everywhere.”
She played a crucial role in easing employee anxiety about the acquisition by introducing them to FFT’s vision, benefits, and leadership team, while also recruiting and building up the workforce.
Creating a Supportive Workplace
Currently, Chris leads HR, Health & Safety, and Environmental initiatives for FFT’s Northwood, IA plant, wearing multiple hats each day. She manages recruitment and workforce planning, implements safety controls such as PPE or ergonomics, and tracks emissions and chemical usage to meet environmental compliance. Chris serves as the righthand for Plant Manager Bill Zimmerle because of her extensive knowledge of the plant’s operations.
Chris’ contributions include impactful HR programs. One of her key achievements is the Skill for Pay Program that promotes production cross-training, which improved workforce flexibility in handling planned and unplanned absences and also provided employees with opportunities for skill development and higher earnings. Additionally, she strengthened employee engagement by organizing an Employee Committee that plans monthly events.
Chris’ leadership philosophy is simple: “Get to know people—not just on a work level, but personally. Understanding what motivates colleagues helps build stronger, more cohesive teams.” In an era where digital communication dominates, she stresses in-person dialogue to foster meaningful workplace relationships.
Accelerating Action through Inclusive HR & Company Practices
Chris has accelerated action by creating a more inclusive work environment. Traditionally male-dominated roles, such as machine operation, are now also being filled by women who bring the necessary skill sets and excel in their positions. This shift in mindset ensures that all employees are evaluated based on their abilities, not gender, and helps pave the way for more women to step into leadership roles.
Reflecting on her journey and International Women’s Day, she acknowledges the progress made in gender inclusion within the industry. At ACT, leadership was predominantly male, and while women were present, they weren’t always at the decision-making table. FFT has changed that dynamic—women are now actively involved in strategic conversations and recognized for their leadership contributions.
“The team at FFT is amazing, and it’s a great place to work,” Chris says. “Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we strive to support their growth and personal development.”
Mary Fredrick, Customer Service Representative
Every journey has a starting point, and for Mary, it began in 1997 after the birth of her first son. With a strong foundation in customer service, she embraced a new opportunity at FFT—one that would shape her professional growth and personal resilience.
For over 25 years, Mary has been at the forefront of FFT’s customer service team, thriving in an ever-evolving landscape while raising two boys. At FFT, she manages customer service activities for some of the largest, global agriculture and construction OEMs, including order entries, shipment tracking, part replacements, and open communication regarding material availability.
A Legacy of Service at Federal Foam
Just six months into her role, Mary took on one of the largest accounts, a testament to her adaptability and work ethic. Over the years, she has built strong relationships with planners and buyers, earning a reputation for her reliability and expertise.
“Customers are the lifeline of our business, and I’m the person my colleagues rely on so customers get what they need and we reap the benefit by building trust with our performance,” Mary says.
Mary’s journey has been filled with accomplishments. Not only did she take on a large account early in her tenure, but she gained so much trust with the customer that for many years now she has solely managed their ordering process and part inventory. She is also the customer service lead for FFT’s biggest power sports customer.
Customer service has its challenges, but Mary approaches her job with patience and professionalism, whether it’s addressing customer concerns, managing urgent issues, or ensuring that solutions do not create unintended disruptions.
“My role defuses tense situations with professional communication, offering solutions and maintaining trust,” Mary says. “Understanding that issues are not personal but rather part of a larger process has been a guiding principle in my work.”
Accelerating Action through a Supportive, Service-Oriented Culture
Balancing a career and personal life can be challenging, and Mary encourages women to seek environments that value their contributions and personal well-being.
“FFT has always provided a supportive workplace for all employees, including women,” she says. “Family is of utmost importance, and there is the ability to balance work and home life.”
Mary’s approach to customer service—open, honest, and solution-focused—has helped accelerate action as she continuously drives improvements in communication and customer relations as a strong female leader, setting the standard for service excellence throughout the organization.
Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Mary acknowledges the incredible strides women have made in the workforce and encourages those aspiring in their careers to not give up on their dreams.
“From entry-level positions to executive leadership and CEO roles, women continue to break barriers and redefine success,” she says. “Seeing more women excel and lead in industries once dominated by men is both inspiring and motivating.”
Driving Progress Forward: Our Commitment to Women in the Workplace
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize both the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead. The 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerate Action,” is more than a message—it’s a challenge. It calls on us to continue advocating for equality, supporting women in leadership, and ensuring that opportunities are available for all. By sharing the stories of the incredible women at FFT, we hope to inspire change and encourage the next generation of women to lead with confidence.
This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate, reflect, and most importantly, take action. Together, we can build a workplace—and a world—where everyone can succeed.
