CARY, N.C. — Sandy East, vice president–Customer Service at Cornerstone Building Brands, has been selected to receive a 2022 STEP Ahead Award, becoming the third Cornerstone Building Brands leader to be recognized with this honor since 2020. A hallmark of the STEP Women’s Initiative, the annual STEP Ahead Awards program acknowledges the achievements of exceptional women in manufacturing who demonstrate leadership in their organizations and the industry.
East began her career at Cornerstone Building Brands more than three decades ago, working her way from customer service representative to her current role where she leads a team of 16 customer service representatives as they ensure customer needs and business goals are met. She is known as a humble leader who attributes her success to lifting up others and supporting her teams as a confidant, advisor and mentor. In addition, East serves as an informal recruiter for Ply Gem Residential Solutions, a division of Cornerstone Building Brands. East is also active in her community of Kearney, Missouri, where she has led Sunday School classes and served as a volunteer for the infant and toddler nursery program.
“Manufacturing presents challenges every day,” said East. “I enjoy working with cross-functional teams to solve problems, improve processes and increase customer satisfaction. This enables us to produce and distribute high-quality products that make a difference in the lives of others in our communities.”
“Sandy is a respected, trustworthy leader who is dedicated to supporting and developing her team and has a record of sourcing talented employees despite the challenging recruitment environment,” said Katy Theroux, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “She is committed to our core values of safety, innovation, integrity and teamwork, and exemplifies our company’s efforts to increase and elevate women in manufacturing as we pursue our purpose of contributing positively to the communities where we live, work and play.”
East will be recognized at the annual Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead Awards Gala, which will be held in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2022, and honor 130 women who represent the past, present and future of women manufacturers.
