Windsor, Ontario — Jeanine Lassaline-Berglund has been named the first president of the Canadian Association of Moldmakers Inc. and Automate Canada.
Until now, CAMM had been led by outgoing Executive Director Diane Deslippe, who plans to retire in coming months.
Lassaline-Berglund, 55, is a graduate of Windsor's St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology with degrees in industrial machining and drafting. She also holds a number of certificates in automotive manufacturing tools.
Lassaline-Berglund called the addition of a president "a huge transition" for the groups.
She said there are issues that require immediate attention or action, such as issues related to the closed international border with the U.S. during COVID or the need for rapid testing and awareness of human resources challenges.
In a joint statement, CAMM and Automate Canada said the addition of a president "is an indication of the continued development and growth of these respective organizations."
Jonathon Azzopardi, chair of CAMM, said Lassaline-Berglund "will be vital to continued growth and achievement of strategic objectives for both organizations."
Lassaline-Berglund will be tasked with:
• Leading strategic planning initiatives.
• Being accountable for membership, revenue growth and sustainability.
• Working elected officials and policymakers at all levels of government.
• Directing marketing and public relations.
• Being the principal spokesperson for CAMM and Automate Canada.
• Identifying and supporting export opportunities.
Before adding a president, the day-to-day operations of both groups had been the primary responsibility of the chairs of both organizations and the executive director at CAMM.
Lassaline-Berglund started her career as an apprentice mold maker. She eventually held a number of leadership roles for all of the Detroit Three automakers at one point or another, and she spent a number of years in the auto supply chain. Most recently, she was the vice president of operations for publicly traded 48North, a cannabis producer based in Ontario.
"I have had a rather unconventional journey," Lassaline-Berglund said.
But she said all that experience has "given me a full spectrum of skills and experiences on which to draw from."
Windsor-based CAMM represents mold makers, many of which supply the auto industry. Its goal is to promote the mold making sector locally, nationally and internationally as well as provide representation on behalf of the industry to federal and provincial governments.
Automate Canada is a national association representing companies involved in the industrial automation industry.
"I think most of Southern Ontario knows about mold making or automation in advanced manufacturing, but the rest of the country may not really understand the contributions to the GDP both of these groups have on a provincial and federal economy," Lassaline-Berglund said.