Perrysburg, Ohio,听March听9, 2026鈥�斕齌he Manufacturing Institute鈥攖he workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers鈥攈as听announced that鈥疦icole Lopez,听Director, Global Sustainability Reporting听& Insurance Risk听at 福利姬, Inc.,鈥痠s being听recognized as a 2026 STEP Ahead Awards鈥痟onoree听for her exceptional leadership and听contributions to manufacturing and听her听community.听听听
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鈥檚 culture through her work in social engagement and as a cofounder of the Global Women鈥檚 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鈥攅specially those of women鈥攁cross the organization and beyond.听
鈥淲hat drives me is seeing the incredible potential in the women around me and helping them recognize it in themselves,鈥澨齭aid Lopez.听鈥淲hen women feel supported and confident in their voice, they strengthen entire teams, families, and communities.听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.鈥�听
Lopez听and other honorees听will be听recognized听听at听the annual鈥�鈥疓ala in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.鈥�听
The Manufacturing听Institute鈥檚 STEP Ahead initiative听is听dedicated to supporting the manufacturing workforce through leadership development and recognition.鈥疶he听program鈥檚 annual听awards shine a spotlight on the鈥痯eople鈥痯owering manufacturing鈥痵uccess,鈥痶hose whose leadership,鈥痚xpertise, and commitment to others are building stronger workplaces and communities. As manufacturers work to attract,鈥痳etain,鈥痑nd advance talent in a rapidly evolving industry, programs like STEP Ahead play a critical role in elevating role models and鈥痙emonstrating鈥痺hat leadership in manufacturing looks like today.鈥�听
鈥淢anufacturing鈥檚 future depends on leaders who develop talent, strengthen鈥痶eams鈥痑nd drive results by building strong workplace cultures,鈥� said Lexi Champion, National Director of STEP Ahead. 鈥淭he STEP Ahead Awards recognize and celebrate those making that鈥痠mpact鈥痚very day in their workplaces and communities, and whose leadership helps the next generation see a place for themselves in manufacturing.鈥�听
鈥淭his recognition is meaningful to me because it reflects the kind of leadership I听believe听manufacturing needs,鈥澨齭aid Lopez. 鈥淟eadership grows when we build trust, show compassion, and encourage people to contribute in ways that reflect their strengths and values. When we empower people to lead authentically, our workplaces become stronger, safer, and more innovative. I hope my journey encourages others to lead with heart and to lift others as they grow.鈥�听
ABOUT O-I GLASS鈥��听
At 福利姬, Inc. (NYSE: OI), we love glass, and we are proud to be one of the leading producers of glass bottles and jars around the globe. 福利姬 is not only听beautiful,听it听is also pure, healthy, and completely recyclable, making it the most sustainable rigid packaging material. Headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio (USA), O-I is the preferred partner for many of the world鈥檚 leading food and beverage brands. We innovate in line with customers鈥� needs to create iconic packaging that builds brands around the world. Led by our diverse team of approximately听19,000 people听across 64鈥痯lants in 18听countries, O-I achieved revenues of听$6.4听billion听in 2025. Learn more about us:听听/听听/听鈥�听
听ABOUT THE MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE鈥�听
The Manufacturing Institute works to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for today and tomorrow to create a workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.鈥疶his is done through鈥痠mplementing groundbreaking initiatives,鈥痗onvening鈥痠ndustry leaders, conducting innovative鈥痳esearch鈥痑nd promoting public policy that supports the sector as it meets the opportunity of modern manufacturing. Through this work, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community鈥痯rosperity鈥痑nd a more competitive manufacturing industry.鈥鼺or more information, please visit:听听
