Katy Theroux

2020 STEP Ahead Honoree

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Cornerstone Building Brands

My passion is summed up in three words: People, Product and Pride. I love coming to work each day because of the pride our people have for the products we make and the impact those products have in our communities. With this commitment, anything is possible.

Katy has built her career by focusing on driving results through people. As chief human resources officer for Cornerstone Building Brands, she currently oversees human resources for 21,000 employees at more than 80 manufacturing, distribution and office locations. Before the NCI Building Systems and Ply Gem merger that created Cornerstone Building Brands, Katy led Human Resources and Marketing at NCI Building Systems and established organizational core values that define how employees work with each other to achieve the desired culture. Throughout her career, working in technology, service and most recently manufacturing companies, Katy has often been the only woman at the table. As a result, she is committed to creating opportunities to increase diversity at all levels. Under her leadership, Cornerstone has over 25 percent diversity within its leadership team – more than double the industry average.

Over the years, Katy has implemented formal and informal mentoring programs to give women in emerging leadership roles access to senior leaders. In this way she helped create opportunities for these women and improved senior leaders’ visibility. In 2001, Katy joined the Board of Trustees of Philadelphia’s Peirce College, where more than half the students are nontraditional and female. In 2011, she was elected board chairman, the first woman in that role. During her tenure as board chairman, Katy worked with the college president to increase board diversity and ensure that all students get the support they need to attain their goals.

Katy is committed to helping everyone achieve their goals and obtain access to a quality education. At Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) in Houston, Katy participates in the advisory board for the Young Leaders Program, which provides students at the all-girls academy the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Approximately 25 percent of students participate in the program and graduate better prepared for a life of meaningful service.

Katy has been married for almost 30 years and is the mother of six children.  She is a life-long runner and has completed nine marathons.