Flooring Industry Veteran Inducted into WiM Hall of Fame

Shaw Industries Group’s Brenda Knowles has been selected for induction into the 2026 Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame.

Over a career spanning more than four decades at Shaw, Knowles has been central to the growth and evolution of the company’s commercial business. Widely respected across the flooring and manufacturing industries, she has consistently championed innovation and dedicated herself to expanding opportunities for women both within Shaw and across the broader industry.

At Shaw, where she currently serves as senior vice-president of customer experience, she has spent nearly two decades leading marketing and product development efforts that have resulted in more than 500 award-winning designs for commercial brands, Shaw Contract and Patcraft, strengthening the company’s position as a global leader in commercial interiors. She also helped establish the vision for Shaw’s Create Centre, an innovation hub developed to bring design, manufacturing and customer experience together in a single collaborative environment.

Equally significant is the impact she has had on people. As a founding leader of Shaw’s Women’s Innovation Network, and a founding board member and current treasurer of Women in the Flooring Industry, Knowles has consistently created opportunities for leaders to grow, connect and make a lasting impact.

Beyond the industry, Knowles has dedicated significant time to community leadership, serving organizations including United Way of Northwest Georgia, the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation and Leadership Dalton-Whitfield. Her commitment to service reflects her belief that strong businesses and strong communities grow together.

This recognition comes during a milestone year for Knowles, who plans to retire at the end of 2026. She will be formally recognized at the WiM Summit in Las Vegas, Oct. 7-9, alongside nine other inductees into the Hall of Fame.