Beatriz Landa

2020 STEP Ahead Honoree

Plant Manager, Greensboro
Novelis Inc.

Why am I passionate about manufacturing? We make tangible things to help people.

As plant manager for Novelis Greensboro, Beatriz leads a 145-person aluminum recycling plant. In previous roles at Novelis, she shepherded two major industry trade cases and guided expansions that helped drive record company performance. A problem solver and a go-getter, Beatriz listens intently, asks for feedback consistently, recommends bold action and seeks consensus when addressing complex challenges. She has tackled difficult business problems, including turning around the company’s specialty business. She is an industry leader, serving on the Aluminum Association’s Sustainability Council to shape the industry’s sustainability goals.

Beatriz partnered with several other employees to launch Women in Novelis (WiN), a program aimed at supporting the professional contributions and careers of female employees. This grassroots effort grew into an international program with representation at every Novelis site. Under Beatriz’s leadership, WiN successfully lobbied Novelis’ Executive Committee to revamp its Parental Leave policy. She also launched a mentoring pilot program, planned and executed a 100-person WiN conference featuring internal and external facilitators, and partnered with Human Resources to attract more women to Novelis⁠—all in addition to her current mentorship of nearly two dozen Novelis employees.

Even outside the office, Beatriz is an active supporter of initiatives that empower women, including the Atlanta Women’s Foundation and the Girl Effect, a nonprofit organization by Nike. She recently participated in the Inspire Atlanta program, a nine-month immersive experience designed to empower women leaders to raise funds for women and girls living in poverty. In addition to her work in Atlanta, Beatriz has volunteered with orphanages in Peru and provided consultative services to a Peruvian small business selling local ceramics in the United States. Her ability to identify an organization’s need, determine how she can add value and jump in immediately helps her make a difference in her community every day.