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Women in Manufacturing STEP Awards honor four SME board members

Four women who serve on the SME and the SME Education Foundation board of directors have received the STEP (science, technology, engineering, and production) Award from The Manufacturing Institute. The award is given to women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to administration.

The STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead Initiative, launched to promote the role of women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and retaining strong female talent.

The honorees are Sandra Bouckley, vice president of operations, Electrical Systems and Services Group, Electrical Sector for Eaton Corp.; Edye Buchanan, CMfgT, product manager, Fives North American Combustion Inc.; Sue Shimoyama, vice president, global sales and marketing operations, Rockwell Automation; and Elizabeth Kautzmann, program manager, laser/fabrication, FANUC America.

Bouckley is responsible for developing and implementing the ESSG manufacturing strategy while providing leadership to manufacturing, quality, operational excellence, supply chain, logistics, and environmental health and safety.

Buchanan, a charter member of SME’s Lorain County Community College S254 student chapter, initiated the Lego Olympiad, which has become an annual event drawing more than 500 students each year.

Shimoyama volunteers with the Society of Women Engineers, serving as the executive sponsor for Rockwell Automation. She also is a founding member of Rockwell Automation’s Professional Women’s Council, formed to engage and enrich the careers of women.

Kautzmann has worked with groups like FIRST Robotics and The Science Olympics to ensure young people are exposed to laser technology and manufacturing.