Wanda Duran Recognized for Driving Quality, Innovation and Community Engagement

Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America, is proud to announce that Wanda Duran, quality and technology manager at its North Brunswick, New Jersey, facility, has been selected to receive a 2026 STEP Ahead Award from the Manufacturing Institute (MI).

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Photo courtesy Cornerstone Building Brands / The Manufacturing Institute

The STEP Ahead Awards are a key component of the MI’s STEP Ahead initiative, a national program that supports and recognizes women and allies in manufacturing who are driving impact from the shop floor to the C-suite. Each year, the program honors 145 leaders for excellence, leadership and community engagement. Among them in 2026 is Cornerstone Building Brands’ Duran, who is being recognized for her measurable contributions to quality, operational excellence and customer experience, as well as her dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers and manufacturing professionals.

“Delivering consistent quality and reliability for our customers starts with strong leadership at every level of our organization,” said John Wallace, Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence at Cornerstone Building Brands and newly named member of the National Association of Manufacturers Board. “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.”

Through its awards, mentorship programs and alumni network, STEP Ahead helps reshape perceptions of the industry, highlight the diverse talent powering manufacturing and strengthen the workforce of the future. In the rapidly evolving manufacturing industry, programs like STEP Ahead play a critical role in elevating role models and demonstrating what leadership in manufacturing looks like today.

“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 in their workplaces and communities, and whose leadership helps the next generation see a place for themselves in manufacturing.”

About Our Honoree
Duran joined Cornerstone Building Brands in 2013, bringing more than a decade of experience in quality, engineering and continuous improvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Rutgers University and is widely respected for her technical acumen and collaborative leadership style.

Over the past year, Duran led 18 major quality initiatives, driving measurable results in quality performance, operational efficiency and process discipline. Her leadership has strengthened product reliability, enhanced plant performance and reinforced the company’s commitment to delivering consistent outcomes for customers. She has also played a key role in strengthening collaboration across teams and supporting customer partnerships.

“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 said.

Beyond her operational leadership, Duran is deeply committed to advancing STEM education and expanding access to opportunities in manufacturing. She has led Connecting Communities initiatives, supported annual Manufacturing Day events and organized facility tours for students from the New Jersey Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology. Through her engagement with Rutgers University and the Rutgers Society of Hispanic Engineers, as well as with a local school in nearby New Brunswick, New Jersey, she actively mentors students and shares pathways into engineering and manufacturing careers.

Duran will be recognized alongside this year’s honorees at the STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. on April 23. She is the seventh honoree from Cornerstone Building Brands since 2020. To date, the program has honored approximately 1,800 leaders who are making a positive impact on their companies and communities.

Cornerstone Building Brands is a strong partner and supporter of the work of the National Association of Manufacturers and its workforce development and education affiliate, the MI.

About Cornerstone Building Brands
Cornerstone Building Brands is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products for residential and low-rise non-residential buildings in North America. Headquartered in Cary, N.C., we serve residential and commercial customers across the new construction and Repair & Remodel (R&R) markets. Our market-leading portfolio of products spans vinyl windows, vinyl siding, stone veneer, metal roofing, metal wall systems and metal accessories. Cornerstone Building Brands’ broad, multi-channel distribution platform and expansive national footprint includes more than 18,800 team members at manufacturing, distribution and office locations throughout North America. Corporate stewardship is embedded in our culture and guides our commitment to responsible growth, environmental care and community impact. For more information, visit us at cornerstonebuildingbrands.com.

About the Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute works to build and strengthen the manufacturing workforce for today and tomorrow to create a workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This is done through implementing groundbreaking initiatives, convening industry leaders, conducting innovative research and promoting public policy that supports the sector as it meets the opportunity of modern manufacturing. Through this work, the MI furthers individual opportunity, community prosperity and a more competitive manufacturing industry. For more information on the MI, please visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

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“Delivering consistent quality and reliability for our customers starts with strong leadership at every level of our organization,” said John Wallace, Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence at Cornerstone Building Brands