Steel Products

AK Steel Women Honored for Leadership

April 11, 2018

AK Steel announced that three of its employees were recognized by the Manufacturing Institute as 2018 STEP Ahead Award winners who exemplify leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Production. Lisa A. Vensel, AK Steel General Manager, Manufacturing Planning, and Joyce C. Niedringhaus, AK Steel Principal Research Engineer, were named 2018 STEP Ahead Honorees. Ayesha Satija, AK Steel Associate Process Engineer, was honored as a STEP Ahead Emerging Leader.

All three employees were among honorees recognized by the Manufacturing Institute earlier this week in Washington, D.C. The Manufacturing Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification, and development of world-class manufacturing talent. As part of that work, the Institute champions diversity, works to empower women leaders and honor those who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their careers, and represents all levels of the manufacturing industry. “These inspirational women have stepped up as leaders in our industry, building the future of manufacturing in our county,” said National Association of Manufacturers President and Chief Executive Officer and Manufacturing Institute Chairman Jay Timmons.

“We are proud to have Lisa, Joyce and Ayesha recognized for their work at AK Steel, and as role models and mentors in the steel making and manufacturing industries,” said Roger K. Newport, AK Steel Chief Executive Officer. “Science, manufacturing and technology roles are incredibly important to our work to bring innovative steel solutions to meet our customers’ needs, and to drive manufacturing growth and development critical to our nation’s economy.”

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Lisa Vensel joined AK Steel in 1986 and progressed through a number of roles in Engineering, Planning and Analysis, Quality Systems and Sales. She was named General Manager, Manufacturing Planning, in 2012. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Westminster College and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Joyce Niedringhaus has more than 37 years of experience at AK Steel. She is an expert in the fields of steel refining and steel sheet processing, and is a Principal Engineer at the company’s Research and Innovation Center. Joyce holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ursinus College, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ayesha Satija began her career in 2015 as a summer intern at AK Steel, and was then hired full-time as an Associate Process Engineer in 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Ohio State University.

The entire list of honorees can be accessed here.