The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, honored two GlobalFoundries leaders at its annual STEP Ahead Awards.
Dr. Isabelle Ferain, vice president of product development engineering, based in Malta, New York, was recognized as a 2026 Champion. Kylee Coffey, senior director of integration, yield and controls engineering, based in Burlington, Vermont, was recognized as a 2026 Honoree.
The STEP Ahead Awards recognize leaders in manufacturing who are driving impact from the shop floor to the C-suite.
The Champion category recognizes individuals who support others by fostering supportive cultures, opening doors and modeling leadership. GlobalFoundries said Ferain, the global executive sponsor of the company’s GlobalWomen employee resource group, supported growth and engagement across a network of more than 2,100 employees and expanded the group to eight chapters worldwide. The company said she helped launch a six-month group mentoring program with its Inclusion & Engagement team and worked with human resources to reform the company’s technical career ladder promotion process to improve transparency and standardization.
“Being named a STEP Ahead Champion is deeply meaningful to me, because allyship is not a title; it’s an action,” said Ferain. “In semiconductors, visible sponsorship and intentional support are essential to unlocking the full potential of our talent. I’m proud to work alongside so many leaders at GF who are committed to building inclusive cultures where everyone has the opportunity to grow, lead and succeed.”
The Honoree category recognizes established professionals who have made sustained impact in their organization and community. GlobalFoundries said Coffey leads a global team of more than 125 people providing around-the-clock support to the business at its Burlington facility. The company said her leadership of a cross-functional yield-improvement initiative drove line yields above 98% and generated about $5 million in annual cost savings, and she led manufacturing readiness for the site’s newest technology offering.
“This recognition is truly an honor, and it reflects the incredible teams, mentors and community who have shaped my journey over the past 24 years,” said Coffey. “The Burlington team’s passion, collaboration and commitment to excellence inspire me every day, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back, whether through mentoring, strengthening our workforce pipeline or supporting the community that supports us.”
GlobalFoundries said the 2026 gala also recognized “Emerging Leaders” and included a leadership development conference in Washington, D.C.
Provided by GlobalFoundries; edited for style and length.