Alumni who inspire: Michele Moenssens

Mechanical engineering alumna Michele Moenssens chatted with us this month about her inspirational journey from WVU student to Tools and Methods Manager for Hitachi Energy. (WVU graphic/Paige Nesbit)

The alumni of the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University are the enduring legacy of our academic community — a reflection of our institution values, and our broader impact in the world. Their paths, shaped by the education and relationships built here, speak to the strength of our mission. Whether they graduated recently or many years ago, our alumni remain vital to our Mountaineer spirit inspiring others and helping shape opportunities for the next generation of students! 

Q&A interview with Michele Moenssens
Photos supplied

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

For this month’s Alumni Who Inspire conversation, we're honored to feature mechanical engineering alumna Michele Moenssens. With over 25 years of record of exceeding performance expectations in a variety of positions with increased responsibilities, Michele is now serving as a Tools and Methods Manager for Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader in electrification, powering a sustainable energy future with innovative power grid technologies with digital at the core serving over three billion people to power their daily lives. Known for being a detail-oriented, self-motivated professional with a strong track record of delivering results accurately and on time, Michele consistently seeks opportunities to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Her diverse background spans engineering, manufacturing, analytics, quality assurance, process improvement, supply chain management, and financial services — giving her a unique ability to bridge technical insight with strategic thinking across industries. 

Q: Michele, thank you for being with us. Your background is incredibly diverse — spanning engineering, analytics, supply chain, and beyond. I’m curious — how did your journey begin? What originally drew you to WVU and the Statler College?  

Absolutely and thank you for having me! In high school, I loved math, but I didn't want to become a teacher or focus on mathematics solely. This led me to explore engineering. My father arranged for me to speak with engineers at his company to understand the profession better. One engineer's advice truly resonated with me... “with an engineering degree, you do anything because it trains you to think systematically and apply processes effectively.” 

Initially, I was drawn to chemical engineering, but after taking a few freshman courses, I discovered the versatility of mechanical engineering. I chose WVU because I wanted to attend a larger school where the town was made up by the student community. Being from the Pittsburgh area, WVU was the perfect distance – far enough to feel like I was going away but close enough for occasional visits home for dinner or laundry. The size of WVU, especially Statler College, appealed to me. It was a big school with a small school atmosphere, which significantly contributed to my successful completion of the my Mechanical Engineering degree. 

  

Q: That’s wonderful. Looking back, how did you explore your intellectual and academic interests while at WVU/Statler College? What activities have you been involved with?   

I was active in a variety of clubs, but two projects during my junior and senior years stand out. I worked with two professors to develop an alternative wheelchair that used pushing and pulling motion instead of the traditional method which is known to often leads to shoulder injuries. This project sparked my interest in research, and it was exciting to see how applying engineering fundamentals could have a real impact. I also participated in the FutureTruck competition (similar to the now EcoCAR competition), where we modified a Chevy Suburban to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. We created a hybrid electric vehicle — groundbreaking work at the time, since in 2000 hybrids were just beginning to enter the automotive market! 

  

Q: That’s powerful! Share with us what inspired and motivated you while at WVU/ Statler College.  

The professors and my classmates were essential to my success — I could not have completed my degree without them. When I reflect on my time as an undergraduate, I realize how fortunate I was that my professors knew me so well. They were never intimidating and were always willing to help me succeed while providing challenges. Some of my fondest memories are of studying, spending time, and commiserating with my peers in the mechanical engineering lounge. Those moments in the Statler College building remain some of the highlights of my college experience! 

  

Q: You talked about how your time here shaped you as a person. As you moved from being a student into the professional world, how did your early career path look like? 

After graduating, I was hired by General Motors into their college graduate rotational program — thanks in part to my involvement in the FutureTruck initiative. That program gave me broad exposure across the company and introduced me to a wide range of functions. Ultimately, it led me to one of the most impactful roles of my career: working in an automotive assembly plant as a production supervisor. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me invaluable lessons about manufacturing, process discipline, and navigating complex situations. 

After a few years in the midwest, I returned to Pittsburgh and transitioned into supply chain management. At AREVA T&D, I was able to apply both my undergraduate and graduate degrees to bridge design engineering and supply chain — working on redesign-for-cost projects in the energy sector. That experience laid the foundation for my continued growth in supply chain, where I took on roles as a Supply Chain Manager and Category Manager, blending my background in manufacturing with strategic sourcing. 

Curious to explore a new industry, I joined PNC Bank as a Supplier Relationship Manager in the Supply Chain department. There, I served as a liaison between business lines and regulatory requirements. Later, I moved into what I like to call the “manufacturing of the bank” — loan processing, where I led an analytics team focused on process improvement and KPIs. 

During that time, I also became a parent, and I found an incredible opportunity to balance my professional and personal goals by returning to the energy industry in a part-time role as a Category Manager at Hitachi Energy. Most recently, I was promoted to Tools and Methods Manager, where I focus on improving processes and delivering real-time insights to our team. 

Each step of my journey has been shaped by a willingness to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges — and I’m grateful for the diverse experiences that have helped me grow both professionally and personally. 

  

Q: Your career journey is truly inspiring — not just for the impact you've made, but for how you've navigated it with such adaptability and purpose. It's clear you've stayed flexible while staying true to your values, which is something so many of us strive for. As we close, what advice would you offer to our students who are looking to find their own path forward?  

Leverage your engineering degree: 
“With an engineering degree, you can do anything” — your degree opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. Don’t hesitate to branch out into new disciplines and industries and keep in touch with former colleagues — networking can be invaluable when you’re ready for a change. 

Always give your best and keep learning: 
Always work hard and do your best work, ask for help when you need it, and never stop building new skills. With today’s resources, you can learn almost anything from home! 

Consider pursuing your master’s degree right away: 
Continuing your education while you’re still in the academic mindset makes earning your master’s much easier. 

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and your journey with us Michele. Your journey is a testament to the value of versatility, and a mindset grounded in growth, lessons that continue to resonate with the next generation of professionals. We are so grateful for your continued involvement!  

The Alumni Who Inspire! Program at the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources recognizes alumni for their dedication to their professions, our college and West Virginia University. The program was launched in fall 2023 as a monthly discussion board with Statler alumni. Join us next month to learn more about the inspiring journeys of our community members. Let’s Go! 

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