Manufacturing Month highlights the educational pathways, career opportunities, and quality of life that help talent thrive in Northern Kentucky.
By Lee Crume | President & CEO, BE NKY Growth Partnership
A career in advanced manufacturing. Degrees from two Northern Kentucky institutions. Opportunities to study abroad. A commitment to giving back to her community.
Adisyn Donk turned each milestone into the next opportunity, building a path from a Boone County classroom to a career at one of the region’s leading manufacturers. As communities across the country celebrate Manufacturing Month, her journey serves as the inspiration behind A Life Built Here, a new video created by BE NKY Growth Partnership and Spotted Yeti that showcases what it means to build a future in Northern Kentucky.
The film follows Donk as she builds a career, family and future in Northern Kentucky while highlighting the educational opportunities, career pathways and quality of life that help talent thrive in the region. Through her story, the video demonstrates how local talent can build meaningful lives and careers close to home in Northern Kentucky.
Donk’s story reflects a sector that continues to drive Northern Kentucky’s economy. According to BE NKY’s 2025 Northern Kentucky Economy in Review, manufacturing employs 22,855 workers across Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, generates $4.3 billion in gross regional product and provides average annual wages of $80,475, making it one of the region’s largest and highest-paying industries.
“Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate the companies, careers and people that help power Northern Kentucky’s economy,” said Kimberly Rossetti, Chief Economic Development Officer, BE NKY Growth Partnership. “Adisyn’s story demonstrates what makes Northern Kentucky special. Educators, employers and community partners helped her turn opportunity into a successful career. Her journey reflects what is possible when talent, education and industry work together, and it’s exactly the kind of story we wanted to tell through A Life Built Here.”
“Growing up in Northern Kentucky gave me a wonderful path and I didn’t have to find this path on my own,” said Donk. “Each step led to the next great thing in my life, and there are so many ways the region has helped me along the way.”
A graduate of Conner High School, Donk attended Gateway Community and Technical College’s welding program before earning a degree in mechanical and manufacturing engineering technology from Northern Kentucky University. Financial support and scholarships from Gateway helped cover the cost of her associate degree and allowed her to continue pursuing her educational goals.
Today, Donk works at Mazak North America, where an early co-op experience in the welding department opened the door to new opportunities in manufacturing engineering. She credits the company for investing in her future and providing valuable real-world experience while she completed her education.
Northern Kentucky’s workforce ecosystem helped Donk move from the classroom to a manufacturing career and continues to create similar pathways for students across the region. More than 300 advanced manufacturing companies operate in Northern Kentucky, and sector employment is projected to grow 6.4% between 2024 and 2029, expanding career prospects for the region’s next generation of talent.
Within her department alone, Donk’s story is far from unique. Her supervisor is an NKU graduate, and five of her seven coworkers are either NKU graduates or current students pursuing their degrees.
“Northern Kentucky University gives students innumerable opportunities and resources to succeed,” said Donk. “I took advantage of everything I could, including joining the stunt team and participating in events on campus.”
NKU expanded Donk’s perspective through study abroad experiences in Australia and the United Kingdom, connecting her to opportunities that extended well beyond the region.
Donk sees a long future at Mazak and continues to explore opportunities to advance her career.
“Mazak, Mubea and other manufacturers on Industrial Drive are nationally known but located right here in Northern Kentucky, where families choose to stay because of the region’s quality of life,” said Donk. “Northern Kentucky offers the unique advantage of being close to both rural and urban lifestyles.”
Today, Donk remains actively involved with the organizations that helped shape her path, including NKU, Gateway and Mazak. Her story demonstrates the central message of A Life Built Here: when education, opportunity and community come together, people can build fulfilling careers and rewarding lives right here in Northern Kentucky.
A Life Built Here reflects a broader community effort. The production also involved Learning Grove, Thomas More University, NKU and other Northern Kentucky businesses, organizations, residents and actors.
Watch A Life Built Here and learn more about advanced manufacturing careers in Northern Kentucky.
