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

  • Jan 14, 2026 - GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting is pleased to announce the promotion of Gareth Bruce to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective December 5th, 2025. Gareth joined GVA in May 2024 as Regional Sales Manager – Southeast, bringing more than two decades of lighting industry experience from Philips / Signify. He was promoted to Director of North American Sales in September 2024 and has since… Read More…

  • Jan 14, 2026 - Intralec Electrical Products Proudly Representing SATCO NUVO Lighting Solutions

    Intralec Electrical Products Announces SATCO NUVO Representation

    Intralec is proud to represent SATCO | NUVO lighting solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial applications. SATCO | NUVO is a major supplier of lighting products, with solutions for nearly every lighting market across the commercial, residential, and industrial landscape. With over 1.5 million square feet of inventory throughout North America and thousands of products… Read More…


Design

  • EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    At EB Horsman, they recognize that effective roadway lighting is a crucial component of public safety. With Lumec’s LED roadway lighting solutions, communities can ensure reliable, high-quality illumination that supports safer travel for everyone, day or night, while also improving energy efficiency and long-term operational performance. High-quality roadway lighting is a critical component of public… Read More…

  • Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Have a look at this custom residential home in the Kootenays, where Prolux utilized the HALO RL6 Slope Ceiling Direct Mount fixtures by Cooper Lighting Solutions designed specifically for sloped ceilings. These luminaires provided consistent, high-quality illumination while maintaining a clean, low-profile ceiling aesthetic. Their direct-mount design allowed for seamless integration throughout the home, supporting… Read More…


New Products

  • Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Signify is introducing Hue SpatialAware, which will transform how Philips Hue users experience light scenes. This feature analyzes the layout of your room and the placement of your Philips Hue lights to create the optimal lighting experience tailored to your unique environment. It’s like having a lighting designer in your pocket, allowing you to experience… Read More…

  • Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Introducing a new lower-cost driver option for LUNA Fire! This 12W, 120V driver with TRIAC/ELV dimming is designed to significantly reduce cost while maintaining performance, giving you more flexibility.  The LUNA Fire meets UL 1598 / 2108/ 263, CSA C22.2 #250.0 / 250.2, and ULC-S101 safety and building construction requirements granting inherent 2-hour fire-rated protection. It… Read More…