The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, has announced that Nicole Lopez, Director, Global Sustainability Reporting & Insurance Risk at O-I Glass, is being recognised as a 2026 STEP Ahead Awards honouree for her exceptional leadership and contributions to manufacturing and her community.
Lopez has spent more than 20 years driving strategic leadership, operational excellence, and people-centered progress at O-I. While much of her work is focused on cross-functional collaboration and regulatory readiness, Lopez has also shaped O-I’s culture through her work in social engagement and as a co-founder of the Global Women’s Engagement Network, creating meaningful spaces for connection, mentorship and inclusion. Her career reflects a purpose-driven commitment to empowering others, building community, and elevating voices—especially those of women—across the organisation and beyond.
“What drives me is seeing the incredible potential in the women around me and helping them recognise it in themselves,” said Lopez. “When women feel supported and confident in their voice, they strengthen entire teams, families, and communities. I want to see a future where every woman in our industry feels she belongs, is encouraged to lead, and knows she never needs to shrink to make space for others.”
Lopez and other honourees will be recognised at the annual STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
The Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead initiative is dedicated to supporting the manufacturing workforce through leadership development and recognition. The program’s annual awards shine a spotlight on the people powering manufacturing success, those whose leadership, expertise, and commitment to others are building stronger workplaces and communities. As manufacturers work to attract, retain, and advance talent in a rapidly evolving industry, programs like STEP Ahead play a critical role in elevating role models and demonstrating what leadership in manufacturing looks like today.