Leah Braman
Leah Braman is a Business Development Manager for Composite Glass Reinforcements at Owens Corning, where she works at the intersection of sales, marketing, and technical teams to drive growth in advanced materials. Based in the Toledo, Ohio metropolitan area, she focuses on identifying new market opportunities for fiberglass composite materials that can replace traditional materials such as wood and steel. Her work involves conducting market research, collaborating with customers and sales teams, and leading product growth projects from early concept and testing through commercialization.
Braman began her career with hands-on experience in manufacturing and continuous improvement, including internships with Libbey Inc. and Owens Corning. After joining Owens Corning full-time, she progressed from a Manufacturing Engineer role into enterprise strategy and eventually business development. Her work has included developing growth strategies, building business cases for new products, and translating customer insights into actionable innovations. One notable contribution involved identifying a new retail application for a roofing underlayment product, creating the potential for a multi-million-dollar revenue opportunity.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry from The University of Toledo, graduating magna cum laude. Braman’s expertise centers on glass chemistry and composite reinforcement technologies used in applications such as building materials, infrastructure, and industrial products. Through her work, she helps expand the use of lightweight, durable composite materials that improve performance, reduce damage, and extend the lifespan of modern infrastructure and products.
• The University of Toledo College of Engineering- Bachelor's
• Magna Cum Laude
• Women in Composites
• ACMA (American Composites Manufacturing Association)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Capitol Care Inc.
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• Interact Volunteer Club
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a hands-on, ground-up approach and the experience gained through development programs that emphasized learning across functions and understanding day-to-day operations. I also credit my passion for the work—I genuinely love what I do and strive to be a shaker and mover in my industry.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be resilient, develop deep technical expertise, and make your achievements visible so that other women can see a path forward in male-dominated fields.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is operating in a male-dominated industry and ensuring that women’s contributions are recognized. At the same time, there are significant opportunities in advancing materials and processes to expand composites into new markets and applications, creating innovative solutions and substantial revenue potential.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are education-forward thinking, gaining practical hands-on understanding, leading with expertise, and maintaining resilience. Outside of work, I value adventurous experiences and time in the outdoors, especially snowboarding.