Nancy Berg had a plan. In 1982, when she started at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in an entry-level position in association management for one of the tech groups, she wrote down her goals. “I still have that piece of paper,” she laughs. “And one of my goals was to become the executive director of SME. I don't know why — I didn't really expect to stay with the organization very long — but that goal and a few others have stayed with me all this time.”

She achieved her goal in 2000, when she was named executive director and general manager of SME. “I always counsel employees and colleagues who want lucrative positions or top jobs to set a business plan for themselves,” she says. “Designate a set amount of time for gaining experience and work really hard to build your skills and knowledge, as well as create a reputation and visibility for yourself.”

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