Kennametal VP wins 2026 STEP Ahead Award
Kennametal Inc. announced that Ellen Whittingham, vice president, strategic talent enablement, has been recognized as a 2026 STEP Ahead Award Honoree by The Manufacturing Institute.
The STEP Ahead Awards recognize people powering manufacturing success — those whose leadership, expertise and commitment to others are building stronger workplaces and communities. Whittingham's contributions are celebrated along with 145 honorees from companies of all sizes and sectors, and she joins a group of 18 other Kennametal honorees who have received STEP Ahead Awards in prior years.
"We congratulate Ellen on this honor, which is a reflection of the positive impact she has had on our people and culture," said Kennametal President and CEO Sanjay Chowbey. "We appreciate her leadership, commitment to developing talent and focus on driving accountability at Kennametal and in the community."
Kennametal stated Whittingham is a trusted leader recognized for driving accountability, developing talent and delivering business impact. With more than two decades in manufacturing and operations and over 15 years in human resources, she has helped lead several companies through organizational design transformation, driven a shift in performance management and strengthened talent development programs to help employees and companies succeed. At Kennametal, she has championed the launch of multiple employee resource groups, and contributed to strengthening engagement, succession and talent development.
Additionally, her commitment to mentorship and civic service has made a difference in the community. For more than six years, she has supported a nonprofit that provides counseling to young people and their families, helping the organization develop and execute a strategy to build a talent pipeline and expand into new communities.
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