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2020 STEP Ahead Honorees

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STEP Ahead Award Honorees and Emerging Leaders have accomplished success within their companies and have proven to be leaders in the industry as a whole. The Institute has also chosen to recognize a select few for the Emerging Leaders category – representing young women who are the future of the industry and have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments at just the beginning of their careers.

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2020 Honorees and Emerging Leaders

The following women were honored with STEP Ahead Awards. Take a look at the amazing stories of these impressive women in the 2020 STEP Ahead Awards profile book.

Professional woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute event, smiling and wearing glasses.
Joydma Alamo
Caterpillar Inc.
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Erin Amarello*
The Timken Company
Professional woman in manufacturing environment, representing industry leadership.
Lorraine Amesbury Holder
STIHL Inc.
Professional woman smiling, representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Jean Angus
Saint-Gobain Corporation
Woman in manufacturing industry wearing glasses and a black jacket with Polaris logo.
Mallory Apperson*
Polaris Industries Inc.
Woman speaking at The Manufacturing Institute leadership event.
Haydee Arreola Nocar
McCormick & Company, Inc.
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute, showcasing industry expertise.
Decie Autin
Exxon Mobil Global Projects Company
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kathryn Bacon
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo showcasing industry leadership and innovation.
Andrea Baker
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Lauren Baker
Emerson
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership and innovation.
Courtney Balliet, Ph.D.
PPG
The Manufacturing Institute logo showcasing industry leadership and innovation.
Meena Banasiak
Phoenix Closures, Inc.
Manufacturing industry professional smiling at an event.
Dacia Benoit
Molson Coors Beverage Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo featuring a gear and factory icon, representing manufacturing excel.
Jeanne Biber
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed prominently.
Maria Blase
Ingersoll Rand, plc
Portrait of a confident woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute event.
Annette Booker
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
The Manufacturing Institute logo on a professional background.
Jane Boyce
Tru Vue, a division of Apogee Enterprises
Woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing careers and innovation.
Jennifer Brady*
Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership and innovation.
Christine Breves
United States Steel Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo on a blue background, representing manufacturing industry leadershi.
Meghan Brown*
Eli Lilly and Company
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Kim Brunner
Schwan’s Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo featuring a gear and factory icon.
Robin Burns
Intel Corporation
Portrait of a senior woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership.
Nancy Cameron
BWX Technologies, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute event with diverse attendees and speaker at a conference.
Natasha Carter
Ingredion Incorporated
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Samantha Case*
Kennametal Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Amy Chi
Ball Corporation
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kathryn Childs
Welbilt, Inc.
Professional woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Leah Christakes
The Sherwin-Williams Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors.
Laura Christobek*
The Procter & Gamble Company
Professional woman in red Toyota uniform smiling at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Karen Cooper
Toyota Motor North America
Woman smiling at a professional event, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Tracy Corbin
Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Bianca Covington
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
The Manufacturing Institute logo with a woman presenting at a conference on manufacturing leadership.
Susan Cronin
Forest Laboratories | Allergan
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Rhonda Dannenberg
Molson Coors Beverage Company
Woman speaking at The Manufacturing Institute leadership event, professional setting.
Emily Davis
Oshkosh Corporation – McNeilus Trucking & Manufacturing
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Kristin Day
Whirlpool Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Amber DePietro
Eaton Corporation
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing careers.
Missy Depinet
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Executive woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Anna Dibble
Cummins Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Julie Eagle*
Ingersoll Rand, plc
Woman smiling in professional attire, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Katie Ehrke
John Deere
Executive leader at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Amie Emerson
Spirit AeroSystems
Professional woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, smiling confidently.
Colleen Emery
3M
Farro_Michele_Headshot
Michele (Shelly) Farro
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Ferrer_Evelyn_Headshot
Evelyn Ferrer
Jabil Inc.
Feser_Katie_Headshot
Katie Feser
Click Bond, Inc.
Woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, promoting manufacturing excellence.
Nidia Garcia Araujo
Cargill de Honduras
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Elise Gauthier
Stanley Black & Decker
Giddings_Yvonne_Headshot
Yvonne Giddings
Libbey, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Lauren Giroux
Plex Systems
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Sonal Gola
Pentair
Guillott_Laura_Headshot
Laura Guillott
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Nora Harding
Special Products & Manufacturing, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Kate Heymans*
Dow Inc.
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kristy Higginbotham
Arconic
Professional woman smiling, representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Amanda Hodges*
BASF Corporation
Woman speaking at Manufacturing Institute event with colorful logo in background.
Kayleigh Hogan
Covestro LLC
Woman in red top representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Rania Hoteit
ID4A Technologies
Businesswoman smiling, representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Yami Hu
Brunswick Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Sophie Hummer, Ph.D.
Brown-Forman Corporation
Hyde_Leslie_Headshot
Leslie Hyde
Koppers Inc.
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Banasha King
Johnson & Johnson
Woman in professional attire standing confidently against brick wall.
Brandy King*
Greene Tweed
Professional woman smiling, representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership.
Gena Knight
thyssenkrupp Elevator
Professional woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute, smiling confidently.
Hui Peng Koh
GLOBALFOUNDRIES
Professional woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Michelle Kohr
SABIC
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership and innovation.
Beatriz Landa
Novelis Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Wilailux Lapwisuttisarod
Dow Inc.
Woman in professional attire representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership.
Larkin Leach*
Cooper Standard
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Elissa Lee
General Electric Company
Lewis_Sheri_Headshot
Sheri Lewis
Medtronic
Portrait of a woman representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Fiona Lowbridge
ALOM
Lynch_Eithne_Headshot
Eithne Lynch
Boston Scientific
Lynch_Janet_Headshot
Janet Lynch
CertainTeed | Saint-Gobain Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Vineeta Maguire
Ovintiv Services Inc.
Businesswoman speaking at manufacturing industry event, professional setting.
Renee Matala*
SABIC
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute event.
Harvinder Matharu
Valvoline Inc.
Grzebielucha_Erica_Headshot
Erica Matthews Grzebielucha*
ExxonMobil
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Clare McCarthy*
Allergan
Professional portrait of Manufacturing Institute leader, smiling woman with brown hair, in business.
Cheryl McKinney
BP
Professional woman in business attire representing The Manufacturing Institute.
Ericka Mendez
Toyota Motor North America
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Erika Militch
AdvanSix
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed on a professional background.
Kim Miller
Thomas & Betts Corp | ABB Inc.
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Rebekah Mills
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Professional woman in business attire, smiling, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Elizabeth Mitchell
Pratt & Whitney
Professional woman leader portrait for The Manufacturing Institute.
Christy Morton
The Clorox Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo featuring a gear and factory icon.
Karen Norheim
American Crane and Equipment Corp.
Leadership team at The Manufacturing Institute promoting manufacturing excellence.
Kim Odell
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Adeola Olubamiji
Cummins Inc.
Woman smiling in a green polo shirt with "BASE" logo, representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Jody Piel
BASF Corporation
Professional woman representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Lauren Powell*
Toyota Motor North America
The Manufacturing Institute logo on a blue background, representing manufacturing industry leadershi.
Bella Qiu
Jabil Inc.
Professional woman leader portrait at The Manufacturing Institute event.
Cynthia Reid, P.E.
Parker LORD
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Genayee Richards
AK Steel Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors with trees in the background.
Lara Richerson
Siemens Energy, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors with greenery background.
Alyssa Roque*
Fresenius Medical Care
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed prominently.
Michelle Ross
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Professional woman leader at The Manufacturing Institute event.
Kristin Roth
Rockwell Automation
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Laurel Rowe*
Parker LORD
The Manufacturing Institute logo showcasing industry leadership and innovation.
Evelina Rurek
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
Young woman smiling, representing manufacturing industry workforce diversity.
Ashley Sandlin*
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Portrait of a woman representing The Manufacturing Institute, smiling and professional.
Mary Beth Seasholtz
Dow Inc.
Professional woman in business attire representing the Manufacturing Institute.
Kathryn Shuler
Air Liquide
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Lauren Speaker*
GE Appliances, a Haier Company
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Melissa Stiegler
Emerson
Professional woman representing the Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Maria Alejandra Sucre
The Procter & Gamble Company
Professional woman representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Megan Supan*
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Woman smiling in professional attire, representing manufacturing leadership.
Rebecca Tallon
A. O. Smith Corporation
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors with a smiling woman in the background.
Emily Tanasse*
3D Systems Corporation
Professional woman smiling, representing leadership at the Manufacturing Institute.
Sarah Tannahill*
INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
Woman smiling confidently, representing manufacturing leadership and innovation.
Theresha “Nikki” Taylor
Philip Morris USA
Lorie Tekorius
The Greenbrier Companies
Woman smiling outdoors, representing leadership in manufacturing industry.
Katy Theroux
Cornerstone Building Brands
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Sarah Tommelein*
Whirlpool Corporation
Prominent woman leader at the Manufacturing Institute in a professional setting.
Dianne Townsend
Exxel Outdoors
Portrait of a professional woman representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Elizabeth Umberson
ZF North America, Inc.
Collene Van Mol
Martco LLC | RoyOMartin
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Carolyn Vanous*
3M
Portrait of a woman representing The Manufacturing Institute leadership team.
Wendy Wildenberg
Flint Hills Resources
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership and innovation.
Allison Williams*
WestRock
The Manufacturing Institute logo representing manufacturing industry leadership.
Emily Williams
Lindsay Corporation
Woman smiling, representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kim Williams
Ovintiv Services Inc.
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Michelle Wilson*
Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo showcasing industry leadership and innovation.
Nancy Wilson
Morrison Container Handling Solutions
Leadership team of The Manufacturing Institute at an event.
Paula Wood
International Paper
Professional woman representing leadership at The Manufacturing Institute.
Kelly Wright
Clarios
The Manufacturing Institute logo displayed outdoors.
Robyn Young
Kennametal Inc.
The Manufacturing Institute logo featuring a gear and factory icon.
Meg Zehringer*
National Gypsum
Executive leader at The Manufacturing Institute in professional attire.
Kelly Zhu
BorgWarner Inc.
Professional woman in business attire representing The Manufacturing Institute.
Jessica Zirkelbach
SABIC

*Asterisk indicates an Emerging Leader