2021 STEP Ahead Award honourees for excellence in manufacturing

Trane Technologies’ Michelle Murphy and Maria Jackson named 2021 STEP Ahead Award Honourees for Excellence in Manufacturing.

Trane Technologies plc, a global climate innovator, announced that vice president of diversity, inclusion and talent management Michelle Murphy and plant manager Maria Jackson are recipients of The Manufacturing Institute’s 2021 STEP Ahead Awards. The awards celebrate exceptional women in all levels of the manufacturing industry who have made outstanding achievements in their companies and communities.

Michelle Murphy is Trane Technologies’ vice president of diversity, inclusion and talent management. Michelle leads the company’s efforts to create a progressive, diverse and inclusive work environment. Michelle said, “We know that authentic diversity and true inclusion will result in more innovation, better business results, and the best talent doing their finest work in service of our bold purpose.” Some of Michelle’s accomplishments include spearheading the signing of Paradigm for Parity, a plan that’s aimed at achieving 50% of women in leadership by 2030 and others etc.

Maria Jackson is the plant manager at Trane’s plant in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Under Maria’s leadership, the plant has seen a 60% improvement in quality over the past four years. In addition, she has helped create a culture that is focused on safety. Maria said, “One of the things that I’m really proud of is keeping my people safe,” Maria is also inspiring future generations. In August 2019, she gave a group of young girls a tour of the plant and let them take part in events and activities that gave them a sense of the manufacturing process. “I grew up in the tail end of a generation where women didn’t get involved in manufacturing or engineering. It’s so exciting to see young girls set their sights on these types of careers and know they can do anything.”

Michelle and Maria are among 130 recipients from across the country who will receive this year’s awards. They’ll be honoured on November 4th at the STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.