Influential Woman · Textile Engineering and Advanced Materials Technology
Stephanie J. Rodgers-Ahnen
Chief Textile Officer, Textile Made Inc.
Howell, MI 48843
Her Story
About Stephanie
Stephanie J. Rodgers-Ahnen is a distinguished textile engineer, innovator, and sustainability expert with more than 30 years of experience advancing textile technology across the automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and advanced materials industries. As Chief Textile Officer at Textile Made Inc., Stephanie leads the development of innovative textile solutions while leveraging her extensive expertise in materials engineering, product development, and functional fabrics. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Engineering from Philadelphia University and has dedicated her career to transforming textiles into high-performance materials for emerging technologies.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has played a pioneering role in textile engineering for major organizations, including General Motors, Magna International, Fisker Automotive, Microsoft Corporation, Apex Mills, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She became Microsoft’s first textile engineer, where she designed and developed textile-based materials for XBOX and SURFACE products, including an applied U.S. patent for integrated electronic textiles and an innovative user attachment supporting accessibility for handicapped XBOX players. At NASA, she contributes to advanced materials development for mission-critical applications, including spacesuits and soft goods for future Artemis and Moon to Mars exploration programs, focusing on textile design, cryogenic testing, and next-generation materials.
Recognized as a leader in textile innovation, Stephanie has received numerous awards and holds multiple patents related to advanced textile technologies. She is a founding member and advisory panel member of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) Institute, where she has contributed to the development of smart textile solutions, including co-patenting a textile touch sensor. She also co-chairs the IPC D-70 Electronic Textile Standards and E-Textile program committees, helping establish industry standards such as IPC-8921 for woven and knitted electronic textiles. Through her leadership, research, and global engagement with the textile community, Stephanie continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and drive the future of sustainable, functional, and intelligent textile innovation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stephanie
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the textile industry is to bring passion and curiosity to the work. Have a desire to create and make something meaningful, while paying close attention to the details that impact quality and performance, such as processing temperatures and technical requirements. Be detail-oriented, ask questions, and never stop learning. Most importantly, explore the areas of the industry that interest you most—whether that is chemistry, accounting, production, or another specialty—and continue building your expertise in that direction.
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