Covestro LLC announced that Michelle Montgomery, senior chemist at the company’s Pittsburgh campus, has been named a 2025 Women MAKE Emerging Leader by The Manufacturing Institute. The award recognizes women under 30 who have demonstrated early career achievement and leadership in manufacturing.

Image courtesy of Covestro. 

Since joining Covestro in 2017, Montgomery has contributed to technical innovation and community engagement. Her work has led to two patents and was recently recognized in the Pittsburgh Business Times 30 Under 30. She leads Covestro’s Global Instrument Panel Technology Council in North America, where she focuses on sustainable automotive design.

Her accomplishments include co-developing an award-winning lightweight polyurethane foam, reducing testing costs through in-house capabilities, and mentoring underrepresented youth in STEM fields. She has worked with FOSSI scholars and inspired more than 150 girls through Girls Inc. programming.

“We are incredibly proud of Michelle for this well-deserved recognition,” said Julia Rubino, executive vice president and global head of Covestro’s Tailored Urethanes business. “Her community involvement, technical expertise, and innovative spirit exemplify the bright future of manufacturing.”

Montgomery attended the Women MAKE Awards gala on April 24 in Washington, D.C., where honorees participated in professional development sessions and networking events.