Manufacturing Institute honours three women in leisure marine sector

Three women recognised as leaders in the leisure marine industry have been named among the recipients of the prestigious STEP Ahead Awards for 2021, presented by the Washington, DC-based The Manufacturing Institute.

Susan Bonivich, director of dealer development for Volvo Penta of the Americas, Jill Carraway, vice president of finance for Grady-White Boats, and Donna Tallent, vice president of manufacturing for Malibu Boats, were named among the recipients of the ninth-annual STEP Ahead Awards, honouring “women who have made tremendous contributions and impact on the manufacturing industry” in the words of The Manufacturing Institute executive director, Carolyn Lee.

Award recipients, who were selected from a field of more than 1,000 nominations, will be recognised for their achievements at an in-person gala to be held in Washington on November 4, 2021.

“Women in manufacturing proved themselves time and time again during the Covid-19 pandemic, driving innovation and progress, and they are now helping our industry build the next, post-pandemic world,” said Lee. “As we emerge from the pandemic, we also celebrate our industry’s heroism that has brought us out of dark days and into a much brighter future.”

The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards is a professional leadership-development initiative which aims to boost women’s representation in the manufacturing sector, and support the next generation of female talent. The prestigious award programme has recognised 932 exceptional women to date.

IBI congratulates all the 2021 winners.