Saint-Gobain recently announced that Neha Dave, business manager of Specialty Materials at Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, has been named a 2019 STEP Ahead Emerging Leader by The Manufacturing Institute. Additionally, the institute is recognizing Silham El Kasmi, operational director for Saint-Gobain Crystals in France, as a 2019 STEP Ahead Award Honoree. Dave and El Kasmi were recently honored during an Awards Dinner Gala in Washington, D.C. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards highlight the achievements of real women in manufacturing as part of a larger initiative focused on celebrating women in the industry who are making a difference through advocacy, mentorship, engagement, promotion and leadership. 

“As we continue to face a skills gap in the industry, Saint-Gobain is committed to building the careers of the women in our company and elevating their unique voice and perspective,” said Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America. “We offer resources such as the Women’s Network—an Employee Resource Group—to celebrate diversity and help women with career advancement. We’re proud to see the contributions of Neha and Silham being recognized as leaders at Saint-Gobain.”

Dave, who received a B.S. in mechanical engineering with a concentration in manufacturing from Boston University, a MEng from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School, began her career as a manufacturing engineer for Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials. For the last seven years, she has held multiple positions within the company, most recently serving as business manager of Specialty Materials. In her role, Dave manages commercial activity, product lines and manufacturing operations for new business units formed to support and enable growth technologies for customers through the use of specialty materials. 

El Kasmi graduated from an engineering school specialized in wood chemistry and received a master’s degree in wood chemistry at the University of Oregon, as well as an executive MBA from NEOMA School. She has spent nearly 20 years as a Saint-Gobain employee, holding numerous positions in different businesses, including: R&D manager, business product and development manager for Saint-Gobain Solar; plant manager and business unit manager for Saint-Gobain Abrasives; and currently as operational director for Saint-Gobain Crystals and Detectors.

Additional information is available at www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com and www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.