On March 9, 2026, the Manufacturing Institute (MI) — the workforce development and education partner of the National Association of Manufacturers — recognized Jennifer Sivak, vice president of information technology (IT) for Allegion Americas, as a 2026 STEP Ahead Awards honoree. Jennifer is among 145 recipients to be honored.
The STEP Ahead Awards are a key component of the MI’s STEP Ahead initiative, a leading program dedicated to supporting the manufacturing workforce through leadership development and recognition.
These prestigious annual awards recognize employees who have excelled in their careers and showcase leadership across all levels of the manufacturing industry, from the factory floor to the C-suite.
"Jennifer's technical expertise and strategic vision power manufacturing success and innovation across Allegion’s operations," said Tracy Kemp, Allegion’s senior vice president and chief information and digital officer. "Equally important, her commitment to mentoring and building inclusive teams strengthens our workplace culture and surrounding communities — a combination that illustrates her selection as a STEP Ahead honoree."
Jennifer will be honored at the annual STEP Ahead Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2026.
About Jennifer Sivak
Jennifer is a visionary manufacturing and IT leader with over 30 years of experience in manufacturing: 18 in operations, supply chain and customer service and 14 in technology. Throughout her tenure at Allegion, she has led the company through several of its largest technology initiatives, including the rollout of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, driving measurable gains in productivity, quality and operational efficiency. She excels at bridging business and technology, translating complex processes into clear, actionable solutions and delivering a unified platform that enables smarter decisions and continuous improvement.
In her role, Jennifer leads nearly 100 employees while maintaining strong team engagement. She is widely recognized for mentoring and retaining talent in a challenging discipline, consistently embodying Allegion’s values in how she leads and supports her team.
Beyond her technical achievements, Jennifer is active in professional and community efforts — advancing alumni networks and women’s development programs, contributing to industry forums and mentoring emerging leaders. Locally, she volunteers to support STEM education, youth programs and community housing initiatives. She balances these commitments with family life as a mother of four, demonstrating humility, resilience and a sustained focus on developing others that reflects Allegion’s culture and purpose.
Across these roles, Jennifer exemplifies exceptional leadership and dedication to fostering growth, making a meaningful difference in the lives of colleagues, students and the community alike.
“I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the Manufacturing Institute alongside so many inspiring leaders across our industry,” Sivak said. “Manufacturing has given me the opportunity to combine problem‑solving, technology and teamwork to drive meaningful impact. I’m especially proud to work at Allegion, where developing people, embracing innovation and building inclusive teams are core to how we succeed together.”
Read more about the award in the official press release from the Manufacturing Institute.
