Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, announced that its Vice President of Engineering, Annie Kao, has been named to the Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply class of 2022 for Business Excellence. Kao is responsible for engineering strategy, management and innovation across all product lines at Simpson Strong-Tie.

This award recognizes leaders who have demonstrated achievement, growth and success in the hardware and home improvement industry. These leaders have embraced education and community service and inspired others to follow a similar path. The class of 2022 women leaders will be honored at the Third Annual Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply awards ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago on Nov. 8–9.

The Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply program is presented by HBS Dealer magazine and honors women in the industry who are making outstanding contributions to their companies and their communities. The goal of the program is to recognize achievement and to offer educational resources to everyone in the industry.

“I am honored and proud to be included in this group of outstanding women,” Kao said. “It’s very important to me as a leader to know that I’m having a positive impact on my company and our industry.”

In addition to her work at Simpson Strong-Tie, Kao is active in her professional and local communities. She sits on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, is a former director for the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California and a founding member of the SEAOSC Women in Structural Engineering Committee. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for Harvey Mudd College. In 2019, Kao received the Barc Simpson Community Hero Award, which recognizes Simpson Strong-Tie employees each year for outstanding volunteer contributions in their communities.