Dalton—Brenda Knowles, senior vice president of customer experience, Shaw Industries, has been selected for induction into the 2026 Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame.
The honor recognizes leaders who have made significant contributions to manufacturing while supporting and inspiring women in the field.
Knowles has spent more than 40 years with Shaw. During that time, she has played a key role in the growth and evolution of the company’s commercial business. She has also championed innovation and expanded opportunities for women within Shaw and across the flooring industry. Knowles also helped establish the vision for Shaw’s Create Centre. The innovation hub brings design, manufacturing and customer experience together in one collaborative environment.
“Brenda has made a lasting mark on Shaw, the flooring industry and the people fortunate enough to work alongside her,” said Susan Farris, executive vice president of enterprise experiences. “She has a unique ability to see potential in others and give them the opportunities and confidence to grow. Throughout her career, she has led with a combination of vision and belief in people that has shaped countless careers, including my own.”
Knowles’ influence extends beyond her formal leadership roles. She spent nearly two decades leading marketing and product development efforts that produced more than 500 award-winning designs. Those designs supported Shaw Contract and Patcraft and helped strengthen Shaw’s position in commercial interiors.
Knowles will be formally recognized at the Women in Manufacturing Summit and Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Las Vegas this October. She will join a group of leaders whose work has helped shape the future of manufacturing.
Supporting women and the industry
Knowles has focused much of her career on creating opportunities for others. She is a founding leader of Shaw’s Women’s Innovation Network. She also serves as a founding board member and current treasurer of Women in the Flooring Industry.
Through those roles, Knowles has helped create opportunities for leaders to grow, connect and make a lasting impact.
Her community involvement extends beyond the flooring industry. Knowles has served organizations including United Way of Northwest Georgia, the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation and Leadership Dalton-Whitfield.
Knowles plans to retire at the end of 2026 after more than four decades with Shaw. Colleagues and industry peers point to the leaders, advocates and innovators she has influenced as a significant part of her legacy.