E61 - Interview with Chandra Brown, CEO of MxD

Feb 15 2022 • 1 hr 4 mins

Chandra Brown is passionate about U.S. manufacturing. As CEO of MxD, the nation’s digital manufacturing and cybersecurity institute, Chandra uses that passion and her more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing to help American manufacturers seize the potential offered by new and emerging digital technologies.

In her role at MxD, Chandra oversees all technology investment, partner relationships and project execution for the more than $120 million dollar portfolio of advanced manufacturing technology, cybersecurity and workforce development research, development, and demonstration.

Her journey to MxD started in Portland in the private sector at a small to medium size metal manufacturing company called Oregon Iron Work, where she worked for over 19 years, also becoming the CEO of United Streetcar where the 1st modern streetcar in the United States in over 60 years was built.

While at Oregon Iron Works, Chandra was presented with the opportunity to work for the Obama administration as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing, a role that entailed traveling the world promoting U.S.-made products and working on trade barriers.

MxD is an opportunity that brings her experience in both the public and private sector together.

Wepa! I'm Marina. I am a technologist, mom, podcast host, leadership coach, cruciverbalist, and aquarian. ;)

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Memorable Quotes:

“One of things that I am most proud of, is that my organization, MxD, it is very diverse in the manufacturing space. My board is more than half women. 60% of the senior leadership team is women. 50% of staff in stem positions is people of color.”- Chandra Brown, CEO at MxD
“You better have kitchen cabinets- a group of diverse people that are there to advise you” - Chandra Brown, CEO at MxD

Useful Links and Resources:

https://www.mxdusa.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandrabrown/

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