5th STEP Ahead Awards Recognize Women for Excellence in Manufacturing
The Manufacturing Institute Will Honor Aneesa Muthana, President and Owner at Pioneer Service Inc.
Addison, IL March 1, 2017: The Manufacturing Institute announced they will award Aneesa Muthana, President
and Owner of Pioneer Service Inc., with the Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Production) Ahead Award. The STEP Ahead Awards honors women who have demonstrated excellence and
leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C-suite.
“I am honored to receive this award.” said Aneesa. “Manufacturers are makers, and women have been underrepresented in this industry for too long. The process of bringing people together to MAKE something that will go on to serve a bigger purpose is where my passion lies. Knowing that the parts that leave my shop are contributing to the world at large, touching lives and benefiting people fuels my passion.”
“These women exemplify the path an exciting career in manufacturing can take,” said Heidi Alderman, 2017 Chair
of STEP Ahead and Senior Vice President of Intermediates North America, BASF Corporation. “STEP Ahead
recognizes women nationwide for their significant achievements to the field of manufacturing, and the positive
impact on their companies and the industry as a whole.”
The STEP Ahead Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched to examine and promote the role of
women in the manufacturing industry through recognition, research, and leadership for attracting, advancing, and
retaining strong female talent.
A recent survey from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute found that six out of ten open skilled production
positions are unfilled due to the talent shortage. Closing the skills gap means closing the gender gap.
On April 20, The Manufacturing Institute will recognize 130 recipients of the STEP Ahead Awards at a reception in
Washington, D.C. The STEP Ahead Awards program will highlight each honoree’s story, including their leadership
and accomplishments in manufacturing.
Pioneer Service is a precision machine shop providing Swiss CNC machined parts for the medical, automotive,
aerospace and other industries.
About the Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (the Institute) is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.
As a non-partisan organization, the Institute is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to
the nation’s manufacturers. The Institute is the authority on the attraction, qualification and development of
world-class manufacturing talent.