Cornerstone Leader Honored for Redefining Quality and Mentorship in Manufacturing

CARY, N.C. – March 12, 2026 – In a significant recognition of leadership and technical excellence, Wanda Duran, Quality and Technology Manager at Cornerstone Building Brands, has been named a 2026 STEP Ahead Award honoree by The Manufacturing Institute. The prestigious national award celebrates women who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in the manufacturing sector, from the factory floor to the executive suite.

Duran’s selection places her among 145 leaders honored this year for their measurable contributions to their companies and communities. For Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading North American manufacturer of exterior building products, the award underscores a deep-seated commitment to quality and talent development. For the broader industry, it highlights the critical role of female leaders in shaping a more innovative and inclusive future.

The Architect of Excellence

At Cornerstone Building Brands' facility in North Brunswick, New Jersey, Wanda Duran has become synonymous with operational discipline and a relentless pursuit of quality. Over the past year alone, she has led 18 major quality initiatives, driving tangible improvements in product reliability, operational efficiency, and process discipline. Her work has directly strengthened the company’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes for its customers, reinforcing its market position.

"Delivering consistent quality and reliability for our customers starts with strong leadership at every level of our organization,” said John Wallace, Executive Vice President of Operational Excellence at Cornerstone Building Brands. “Wanda’s work in improving quality performance and operational discipline strengthens how we serve our customers every day. Leaders like Wanda help ensure we’re building trust through performance, which drives long-term success for our customers and our company.”

With a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Rutgers University, Duran combines deep technical acumen with a collaborative leadership style that inspires her colleagues. However, her vision extends far beyond process charts and quality metrics. She is equally dedicated to building people, actively mentoring the next generation of engineers and manufacturing professionals.

“Whether I’m mentoring a colleague or guiding a student, my goal is always the same: to help others see what’s possible and feel empowered to pursue it,” Duran stated. This philosophy is evident in her extensive community engagement, where she champions STEM education and works to demystify manufacturing careers for young people.

Building More Than Products

Duran's award is the seventh STEP Ahead honor for a Cornerstone Building Brands leader since 2020, signaling a consistent and successful corporate strategy focused on nurturing talent. This recognition is not an anomaly but rather evidence of an organizational culture that empowers employees to drive change. The company's commitment to excellence is formalized through programs like its "Drive to Premier" initiative, which uses scorecards and collaboration to enhance supplier performance and ensure quality across the supply chain.

This focus on internal development is matched by a strong public commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In 2022, President and CEO Rose Lee signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge, committing the company to fostering a workplace where diverse perspectives are celebrated. This dedication has yielded measurable results and external validation; Newsweek recently named Cornerstone Building Brands one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2024.” The company’s 2023 ESG report noted that 45% of its U.S. workforce identified as a minority, with women comprising 55% of the Executive Committee, showcasing tangible progress toward a more representative leadership structure.

This inclusive environment provides the foundation for leaders like Duran to thrive and, in turn, inspire others. Her efforts to connect with the community through company-supported initiatives like Manufacturing Day events and facility tours for students from the New Jersey Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology are a direct extension of this corporate ethos.

A STEP Ahead for Women in a Changing Industry

The STEP Ahead Awards are more than just a celebration of individual achievement; they are a core component of the manufacturing industry's strategy to address its most pressing challenges. The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, created the program to close the gender gap and tackle a looming talent shortage estimated at two million workers over the next decade.

“Manufacturing’s future depends on leaders who develop talent, strengthen teams and drive results by building strong workplace cultures,” said Lexi Champion, national director of STEP Ahead. “The STEP Ahead Awards recognize and celebrate those making that impact every day.”

Currently, women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce but represent less than 30% of the manufacturing labor force. By elevating role models like Wanda Duran, the MI aims to change perceptions of the industry and showcase the diverse career paths available. Research shows that women in manufacturing report high job satisfaction, with 81% likely to recommend a career in the industry. The primary challenge is creating intentional pathways and supportive environments to attract and retain this critical talent pool.

Duran’s work directly addresses this need. Through her engagement with Rutgers University, the Rutgers Society of Hispanic Engineers, and a local school in New Brunswick, she actively shares her journey and provides guidance to students, creating the very mentorship pipelines that are proven to foster diverse talent.

Duran will be formally recognized alongside her fellow honorees at the annual STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 23. Her achievement serves as a powerful testament to the impact one dedicated leader can have, not only on a company’s bottom line but on the future of an entire industry.