About IPC Education Foundation

Our Team
Partners & Sponsors
Contact Us

Mission Statement

VISION: Developing a pipeline of new talent entering the electronics industry.

MISSION: The IPC Education Foundation creates AWARENESS of the careers the electronics manufacturing industry has to offer and promote opportunities to students in high school and technical college/university by providing them ACCESS to knowledge and content and CONNECTIONS with people and companies.

2023 Year in Review PDF

Our Team

Charlene Gunter du Plessis

Senior Director of IPC Education Foundation

Charlene joined IPC in November 2018 as Director Strategic Partnerships and Programs and transitioned into the leadership role of the Foundation in December 2019. She is responsible for the strategic direction of the IPC Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that will connect and engage individuals with IPC industry members to opportunities in the electronics manufacturing industry.  In this capacity, Charlene works with industry member partners, academic institutions and Career Technical Education instructors and teachers to develop and execute programmatic initiatives for the IPC Education Foundation.

Prior to joining IPC Charlene has worked within non-profit for more than 12 years with a focus on cultivating and stewarding existing and new corporate partnerships, building relationships with key donors through corporate fundraising efforts, managing foundation and scholarship funding, and business development of membership driven organizations. She has experience in fundraising and partnership development within the corporate, government, non-profit and higher education spheres on a national and international level. 

She has an MPhil in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (2012), two Bachelor degrees in Professional and Technical Writing (2006) and Journalism (2005) from the University of Pretoria, and a post graduate certificate in Advanced Business Communications (2007) from the University of South Africa.

In her spare time, she explores the world and travels with her husband and their family members. She has been to 25 U.S. States and has visited 28 countries. She enjoys cooking, photography, and interior design.

Gentry Manning

Marketing Manager for IPC Education Foundation

Gentry joined IPC in October 2018 as a contractor to help build the IPC Education Foundation website. She has now joined IPC full time as project coordinator over the website, marketing, and events. Gentry manages all platforms relating to the brand/image of the Foundation.

Gentry graduated from Utah State University in 2018 with a degree in English with an emphasis in Technical Communication. She has worked as a freelance website manager for 3 years before joining IPC full time in 2021.

In her spare time, Gentry loves to travel and explore new places with her husband and daughter! She has been to Egypt, Croatia, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubai, Montenegro, Netherlands, Guatemala, South Africa, Namibia, Mexico, and even hiked to Everest Base Camp in Nepal! 


 

                                                                  

Partners & Sponsors

Upverter Education makes teaching the next generation of electronic designers easy and hands-on. The free resource can be used in the classroom or virtually, allowing for seamless collaboration with teachers and students--no downloading, no installing. With access to the Upverter design tool and guided, modular courses, Upverter Education is leveling-up STEM education. Go to https://education.upverter.com/ to learn more about Upverter Education.

Free IPC Member Benefit:

Job Board

IPC Education Foundation is now offering a spot on the careersinelectronics.com Job Board as a FREE IPC member benefit! Please fill out the form below to opt-in so we can list your company on the job board.

Form Opt-in

 Partner and Sponsor Benefits:

  • Acknowledgement opportunities through various platforms, including website presence, blog posts and social media outreach
  • Branding and content exposure through workshops and webinars
  • Named scholarships and awards equipping students for the industry
  • Sponsoring an IPC Student Chapter to enhance your talent pipeline needs
  • Involvement and presence at IPC specific events, receptions & competitions

Interested in Becoming a Partner/Sponsor?

Fill out the form below for more information and to begin the process of becoming an IPC Education Foundation Partner!

Contact Us Form

Have a question? Need help finding information on our website?

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