Erin Ashcroft, the assistant general counsel at Stihl Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, will be recognized by the Manufacturing Institute as one of the 130 STEP Ahead Award recipients. The awards honor women who have showcased excellence and leadership in their manufacturing industry careers including women of all professional levels.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Manufacturing Institute for this award,” Ashcroft says. “Stihl Inc. continues to empower me to make an impact both within the company and in my professional community. Whether I’m engaging with the next generation of attorneys at the Federal Bar Association or mentoring Stihl Inc. interns, I feel my work makes a difference.”
STEP pushes to empower and inspire women in manufacturing through recognition, research and leadership. The goal is to also motivate award winners to mentor the next generation through an annual awards gala and associated leadership training program. After 10 years of STEP Ahead Awards, over 1,100 women leaders in manufacturing have been honored.
“The STEP Ahead Awards are central to the industry’s efforts to recognize and empower women,” says MI President Carolyn Lee. “Our honorees and emerging leaders serve as role models and have their own multiplier effect on the number of women in the workforce, paying it forward to help others find their way into a successful, rewarding career in modern manufacturing.”
MI will celebrate the 130 recipients of this year’s STEP Ahead Awards on April 28 in Washington, D.C. The program will showcase each honoree and emerging leader’s story, including their manufacturing leadership and accomplishments.
