2023 Women MAKE Awards

Recognizing Women Leaders in the Manufacturing Industry

The Women MAKE Awards (formerly known as the STEP Ahead Awards) recognize women in science, technology, engineering and production careers who exemplify leadership within their companies. This national honor identifies top talent in the manufacturing industry and further encourages award winners to mentor and support the next generation of female talent to pursue modern manufacturing careers. The Women MAKE Awards give women across the country a platform to showcase the incredible opportunities the industry has to offer, whether they are running the company, designing the next big product or testing innovations on the shop floor.

In 2023, the Institute will recognize 100 women and 30 Emerging Leaders, a category to honor women under the age of 30 who have achieved unique accomplishments at the start of their careers.

2023 AWARD WINNERS

Why Recognize Women in Manufacturing?

It’s the right thing to do: Women today account for less than one-third of manufacturers (29%) despite representing about half of all workers (47%). Yet, it’s manufacturing that set the stage for a decades-long march of women into the workforce. Women in previous generations showed the country what they could do through manufacturing, and it’s on us to inspire girls in the next generation to dream of what they can do through manufacturing, too.
It’s critical to solving the workforce crisis: Women represent one of the largest pools of untapped talent for manufacturers. Thus, closing manufacturing’s gender gap is key to closing the skills gap, too. Moreover, research shows that gender diversity benefits a manufacturing firm by improving its ability to innovate and grow.

Nominations are now closed

The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2023 Women MAKE Awards was October 14, 2022.
Nominators were notified of their application status in early January 2023.
The 2023 Women MAKE Award Honorees and Emerging Leaders were publicly announced March 1, 2023.

View 2023 Award Winners

Key Dates:

Nomination Period: August 1 – October 14. The deadline for to submit a nomination was October 14, 2022 11:59 p.m. ET
Application Status Notification: January 9, 2023. Nominator, HR contacts, and Corporate Communications contacts are notified of Application Status
Honorees and Emerging Leaders Notified: January 17, 2023
Public Announcement of 2023 Honorees and Emerging Leaders: March 1, 2023

Nominations Resource

The 2023 Nominations Guide is your go to source for criteria, process, key dates, samples of winning essays and best practices.

Nominations Guide

Important Nomination Information

There are two categories nominators may consider:
- Women MAKE Awards Honoree: Nominee is currently employed in manufacturing at any level of the company, from the factory floor to the C-suite. A maximum of two Honorees from a single company may be selected for this award.
- Women MAKE Awards Emerging Leader: Rising female talent currently employed in the manufacturing industry that have made significant contributions and excelled early in their career. An Emerging Leader nominee must be between 18 and 30 years of age as of December 31, 2022. A maximum of one Emerging Leader from a single company may be selected for this award.
There is no cost associated with submitting an application.
A company may nominate someone outside of the U.S. as long as that company has U.S. operations.
A maximum of 10 applications may be submitted by a single company.
Companies are encouraged to have 1 point of contact for nominations.

Agenda

April 19-20, 2023: Women MAKE Awards Leadership Program (for Honorees and Emerging Leaders only)
April 20, 2023: Women MAKE Awards Gala
- 6:00 PM 2023 Women MAKE Awards Reception
- 7:00 PM Gala Dinner Programming – Presentation of Honorees and Emerging Leaders
- 9:00 PM After Party hosted at the Conrad Washington Hotel

Women MAKE Awards Gala

National Building Museum | 440 G St, NW, Washington, DC 20001

About the National Building Museum

Since it was created in 1980 through an act of Congress, the National Building Museum has transformed the public’s understanding of the impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, planning, and design. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and special events, we welcome visitors of all ages to experience stories about the built world and its power to shape our lives, our communities, and our future. The Museum resides in the historic Pension Building, which contains one of the most awe-inspiring spaces in the nation’s capital: a soaring, expansive Great Hall featuring eight colossal Corinthian columns. On the exterior, a 1,200-foot-long terra cotta frieze wraps the building.

About Washington, D.C.

Monuments and memorials, eclectic neighborhoods, true local flavor – Washington, DC is a place unlike any other. With a multitude of free options for all ages, visitors have opportunity to explore our nation’s history will experiencing the unique culture of our nation’s capital.

Explore DC: https://washington.org/

2023 Women MAKE Awards Communications Toolkit

On March 1, the Manufacturing Institute publicly announced the 2023 Women MAKE Awards Honorees and Emerging Leaders through a nationally distributed press release, on our social media channels and on our website.

To make it as easy as possible to join the conversation and celebrate your awardee’s success, check out the communications kit which includes a sample press release, social graphics and social media copy to help prepare for the upcoming public announcement. Use the tools below to help us elevate and celebrate their accomplishments to empower women and inspire the next generation of female talent.

WMA Communications Kit

View 2023 Award Winners

Secure Your 2023 Sponsorship Now!

Sponsorships for the leadership program and gala available: If you are interested in increasing your company presence at the Women MAKE Awards, please contact us for opportunities at [email protected].

Engagement Opportunities