IE Alumnae Davis and Konz earn awards for work in supply chain, material handling

Cate Davis (BSIE '16) and Claire Konz (BSIE '21) have earned recognition, both as employees of Miebach.

 

Claire Konz presents at CETx, leading a breakout session titled: "Rollout of CET Material Handling in a Consulting Scenario: Roadmap to Success."
 
Konz, a fourth-generation Purdue engineer, graduated with a degree in industrial engineering. Now a supply chain consultant at Miebach Consulting, she specializes in warehouse design, automation, and engineering solutions for clients across the globe. Her award-winning render depicted a cutting-edge automated pack line, showcasing her ability to create precise and visually compelling designs that help clients conceptualize functional spaces.
 
This is the first year Configura has introduced a material handling category. Konz's render was voted on by professionals across the industry, making it a particularly meaningful achievement.
 
Konz’s engineering journey is steeped in family tradition. A proud descendant of Purdue engineers, her great-grandfather graduated in 1932 with a mechanical engineering degree, and her mother followed with a degree in civil engineering. “Purdue is in my blood,” Konz shared, adding that her great-grandparents met on campus while working in the dining hall at Cary Quadrangle.
 
Konz credits her Purdue experience for preparing her for her current role. She highlighted the impact of courses like IE 383 and IE 484 in facility design and problem-solving, as well as human factors and ergonomics courses. “These classes gave me both the technical and collaborative skills needed to solve real-world challenges,” she explained. 
 
This February Konz will return to campusto speak to Purdue's IE 200 class, where she plans to share insights from her career and her journey as a Purdue engineer. With Miebach employing a significant number of Purdue alumni—over 10 graduates in their U.S. and Montreal offices—the firm remains a strong advocate for the university's engineering talent.
 
One of those fellow graduates is Business Develop Manager Cate Davis, who was named to the Food Logistics Women in Supply Chain List, in the Rising Stars category. Davis earned the award for her work restructuring the sales organization and developing new ways of working.  
 
Davis has also overhauled regional training for all engagement leads, and was a key part of the development and rollout of the company's new brand in 2023. 
 
"It's an honor to be named one of Supply & Demand Chain Executive's Women in Supply Chain!" remarked Ms. Davis. "I'm grateful to be recognized among so many talented and incredible women in our industry. They are an inspiration to the younger generation of professionals coming into Supply Chain, and I hope that I can also be a role model to the future female leaders. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to make a positive impact through my work, and I'm committed to continuing to advocate for all types of diversity in the industry."
 
 
 

Sources: Miebach.com, Claire Konz

Writer: David Montgomery