AI Skills

2026 STEP Ahead Awardees

The STEP Ahead Awards recognize outstanding women and allies in manufacturing who are driving impact from the shop floor to the C-suite. By celebrating their stories, we help reshape perceptions of the industry and showcase the wide array of talent that powers it.

meet the 2026 awardees

2026 Awardees

Woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Jadi Anderson
KLN Family Brands
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Åsa Arvidsson
Rockwell Automation
Woman in professional blue blazer smiling, representing manufacturing leadership.
Jami Austin
The Lubrizol Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo with a professional woman in business attire.
Michelle Barnhart
The Timken Company
Woman executive representing the Manufacturing Institute, smiling confidently.
Monique Bass
Dow
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Brittany Bauer
Henkel Corporation
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Giovanna Benetti
IBM
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Anna Billey
Toyota Motor North America
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute conference.
Sador Black
Eastman Chemical Company
Susan-Rhea Blankenship
Celanese
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Devon Blumer
Molson Coors Beverage Company
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Christy Bollinger
Hydro
Portrait of a professional woman representing The Manufacturing Institute.
Jennifer Sarah (JS) Bolton
Nissan
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, professional setting.
Maxine Bonaccorsi
Kimberly-Clark
Professional woman leader in manufacturing industry smiling confidently.
Meagan Boson
Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH Company
Manufacturing Institute representative smiling outdoors, promoting manufacturing careers.
Lauren Boyd
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Professional woman in business attire representing The Manufacturing Institute.
Meghan Boyd
Parker Hannifin
Manufacturing Institute leader portrait, professional headshot of a woman with blonde hair.
Haley Boyker
AstraZeneca
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Ayanna Burton
Nucor
Woman executive smiling, representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Marie-Josée Cabana
National Gypsum Company
Woman in pink blazer at The Manufacturing Institute event.
Jessica Carter
Ford Motor Company
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Abby Causey
The Timken Company
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Katelyn Caza Perez
Novelis
Woman smiling in professional attire against a dark background.
Rachael Chant
Whirlpool Corporation
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Kylee Coffey
GlobalFoundries
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Hillary Cooper
Pella Corporation
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Lynsey Copley
Biogen
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Shirlyn Cummings
Covestro LLC
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Lauren Curran
Siemens
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing careers.
Jennifer Dagnall
Evonik Corporation
Woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership and workforce development.
Amanda Dango
DENSO
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional uniform.
Bri Danzeisen
Chevron Phillips Chemical
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Leah Davis
Cargill
Woman in purple blazer smiling, representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership.
Lesley Denham
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Professional woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute conference.
Katie Deren
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Woman smiling in a professional setting with a window background.
Christina Desjardins
BASE Engineering, a Dover Company
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Morgan Dill
National Gypsum Company
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Ashleigh Dix
Materion
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Megan Doege
Kohler Co.
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Rachel Dougherty
Procter & Gamble
Woman smiling, wearing glasses and braids, representing manufacturing leadership.
Regina Dunagan
BorgWarner Inc.
Manufacturing Institute logo with professional woman in white blouse.
Wanda Duran
Cornerstone Building Brands
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing careers.
Dana Espinosa
Ingredion Inc.
Manufacturing Institute logo with industry professionals.
Hedieh Evans
Tilcon Connecticut, a CRH Company
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Szilvia Falvai-Sashalmi
Jabil
Professional woman in business attire at modern office.
Isabelle Ferain
GlobalFoundries
Portrait of a manufacturing industry expert in a professional setting.
David Fernandes
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Michelle Fields
HarbisonWalker International
Professional woman in business attire smiling at the camera.
Ariel Foss
LP Building Solutions
Manufacturing Institute leader in a professional setting, smiling confidently.
Brooke Franco
INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
Manufacturing Institute representative smiling in industrial setting.
D.J. Gall
Vacuworx
Professional woman in business attire representing manufacturing leadership.
Neela Bhargavi Ganduri
GE Healthcare
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, professional portrait.
Hillary Gargel
Dow
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, smiling confidently.
Shanda Gentry
LP Building Solutions
Woman smiling in an office with green plant, representing manufacturing leadership.
Lisa Giese
Marvin
Woman in green blouse smiling, representing manufacturing leadership.
Elianne Gonzalez
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Monica Greenhalgh
General Motors
Woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing excellence.
Suzie Guzman
The Greenbrier Companies
Woman executive in professional attire against blue background.
Rachel Hall
Nissan
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Laura Harshberger
PPG
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, professional setting.
Leanna Hasan
Filtration Group
Manufacturing Institute logo with professional woman in business attire.
Rebecca Hicks
Pella Corporation
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Mindy Hostettler
AstraZeneca
Taylor Howell
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Crystal Hyman
Trane Technologies
Professional woman in business attire at the Manufacturing Institute.
Elaine Jackson
L’Oréal
Woman smiling outdoors, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Nehali Jain
Antora Energy
Woman smiling in office setting, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Bonnie Jenkins
GE Appliances, a Haier company
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Sandy Ibarra Johnson
Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Shasta Johnson
Arkema, Inc.
Woman executive at the Manufacturing Institute, professional portrait.
Dawn Krencisz
Momentive Technologies
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Deb Krikorian
Riverdale Mills Corporation
Tonya Kuhl
Zimmer Biomet
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Savannah Kunes
Land O’ Lakes
Tanya Lance
Special Products & Mfg. Inc
Confident woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Rosalina Larragoiti Ochoa
Lucid Motors
Professional woman in pink blazer at Manufacturing Institute event.
Marietta Lee
The Lee Company
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Mary Leslie
The Hershey Company
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, professional portrait.
Emily Litt
Dragonfly Energy
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors with greenery background.
Nicole Lopez
O-I Glass, Inc.
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kim Lunceford
Monogram Food Solutions
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a white background.
Soukaina Makni
Kohler Co.
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Nicole Malson
STRYKER
Leslie Mathis
ABB
Woman leader in manufacturing industry for The Manufacturing Institute.
Catherine Matthews
BAE Systems
Professional portrait of a woman representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Kristina Mauger
The Boeing Company
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute for industry advancement.
Megan McKay
Arconic
Woman in red dress smiling outdoors, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Angela Mire
Ecolab
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, representing industry leadership.
Caitlin Moffitt
Altria
Woman in manufacturing industry wearing ExonMobil shirt, smiling confidently.
Misty Montgomery
ExxonMobil
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a white background.
Brooklyn Mussman
The Lubrizol Corporation
Stephanie Nappier
LyondellBasell
Tyler Nash
ABB
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Brenda Neely
BASF
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Hayley Nguyen
Ovintiv Inc.
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Cheyenne Novak
Ecolab
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing careers.
Bella Oung
Regal Rexnord
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Catherine Panagopulos
Smithfield Foods
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Carmel Patulot
Lockheed Martin Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Rachel Pawlawski
Evonik Corporation
Business professional in a suit at the Manufacturing Institute event.
James Phillips
Biogen
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Kelli Poppenhagen
Ovintiv Inc.
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Solanda Prather
Pharmavite
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Jennifer Rivara
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute for industry advancement.
Emily Rockwell
Materion Corporation
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Bonita Rogers Montgomery
DENSO
Professional woman in business attire representing manufacturing leadership.
Ana Rosales
Honeywell
Susan Rozak
Saint-Gobain
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, professional portrait.
Marivette Rullan-Semidey
The Boeing Company
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Lindsay Sabey
L’Oréal
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Angelica Salazar
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Professional portrait of a man in a suit, representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
John Sampson
Dow
Professional woman in business attire, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Christina Schiavone
Kimberly-Clark
Woman smiling in professional attire, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Erin Schroering
MasterBrand
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, professional setting.
Nicole Sebek
Sherwin-Williams
Portrait of Manufacturing Institute leader, smiling, in professional attire.
Eric Seip
Ingredion Incorporated
Prominent woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute event.
Nisha Shine
Flex
Woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing careers.
Whitney Shlesinger
McCormick & Company
Professional woman in vibrant purple floral blouse, smiling confidently.
Nishita Singh
Cheniere Energy
Woman executive representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Jennifer Sivak
Allegion
Professional woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute conference.
Natalee Smith
Covestro LLC
Professional woman in blue blouse smiling, representing manufacturing leadership.
Jennifer Snee
USG Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo with industry professionals in the background.
Jennifer Solcz
PPG
Woman smiling in professional attire at Manufacturing Institute event.
Margaret Standish-Bruce
Sukup Manufacturing Co.
Woman in purple blazer representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Nima Subramanian
Johnson & Johnson
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Alissa Taylor
Qnity Electronics
Woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, smiling confidently.
Diane Tennenhouse
Eli Lilly
Prominent manufacturing leader in a professional suit and tie.
Sam Thevanayagam
DeVal Lifecycle Support
Woman smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event, professional headshot.
Hillary Thomas
Westminster Tool
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kristen Thrash
BASF
Woman smiling in professional attire, representing manufacturing leadership.
MaryBeth Tran
Owens Corning
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, emphasizing industry innovation.
Winnie Tu
Foxconn
Businesswoman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Alexandra Waltemyer
Armstrong World Industries
Woman smiling in office with design sketches and plans in background.
Meganne Wecker
Skyline Furniture Manufacturing
Professional woman in manufacturing environment, smiling confidently.
Jeannie Whitfield
Parts Life, Inc.
Leadership at The Manufacturing Institute, professional woman in business attire.
Ellen Whittingham
Kennametal
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Danette Wilder
SealingLife, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors with green trees in the background.
Ashton Williams
Smithfield Foods
Manufacturing Institute logo with professional woman in business attire.
Erin Wojcicki
SABIC
Woman speaking at a professional event, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Carla Wright
Toyota Motor North America
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Christine Young
Caterpillar Inc.
Professional woman representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Olawumi Yusuff
Ferrara Candy Company
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Cathy T. Zhang
Saint-Gobain
Professional woman in business attire at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Min Zhou
HP Singapore (Private) Limited
Woman in business attire outdoors, representing manufacturing leadership.
Ana Paula Zinn
Honeywell
view past awardees