Acuity Brand’s Cheryl English Selected as a 2018 STEP Ahead Honouree

March 16, 2018

Cheryl English, Vice President, Government & Industry Relations for Acuity Brands and President of the Illuminating Engineering Society, will receive a Women in Manufacturing STEP Ahead Award on April 20 from The Manufacturing Institute. The STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards honour women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory-floor to the C suite.

“The STEP Ahead Award is a distinguished opportunity to recognize the tremendous contributions of women in technology,” says English. “It’s an honour to be recognized with an esteemed group of intelligent and passionate professionals in manufacturing.”

English has excelled in her position with Acuity Brands for over 35 years promoting the science of lighting. She has worked in various positions including application engineering, product development, testing labs, marketing and public policy, and has also been instrumental in the development and ongoing focus of the company’s sustainability priorities to reduce their use of natural resources and recycling programs. 

In her current role, English uses her technical expertise and management experience to advocate for the advancement of energy policy, smart buildings and integrated building solutions. As President of the Illuminating Engineering Society, she is just the fifth woman in the society’s 117-year history to lead the trade association. 

English obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Architectural Engineering program, and her Executive Masters of Business Administration at Georgia State University. 

On April 20, The Manufacturing Institute will recognize 130 recipients of the STEP Ahead Awards at a reception in Washington, D.C. For more information about The Manufacturing Institute and the STEP Ahead Awards, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    Too often, lighting plans default to the basics: a central ceiling fixture here, a few recessed cans there. Functional? Sure. But memorable? Not even close. That’s where knowing how to layer light comes in — a deceptively simple design principle that adds depth, mood, and polish to every space. With a few strategic choices, you… Read More…

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…


New Products