Legacy Leadership Award | Oliver Stepe

According to company officials, YKK AP America Inc. is rooted in the “Cycle of Goodness” philosophy that “no one prospers without rendering benefit to others.” As President and CEO of YKK AP America, Oliver Stepe takes this philosophy to heart and champions it amongst his team. Stepe is seen by his management, peers and employees as a transformative and progressive leader who is not tunnel-focused on short-term results, but rather intensely focused on creating a path toward continuous success, generational transfer and assuring all major stakeholders share benefits; including employees, customers and society.  

“Under Stepe’s leadership, YKK AP has expanded from a regional supplier to a national company and has become a fully integrated fenestration systems producer with businesses in both commercial building envelope and residential windows. Stepe has spearheaded the acquisition of strategic North American subsidiaries and has also been committed to building and expanding YKK AP Inc.’s business to new markets,” say YKK company officials. 

Sustainability is a core value at YKK AP. Stepe has been instrumental in bringing sustainable products to market when he helped launch the first energy-efficient line of aluminum building products. YKK AP also now sources 80% of its aluminum from low-carbon North American suppliers, a result of Stepe’s vision and leadership and a milestone that is part of the company’s Evolution 2030 initiative to contribute to the global environment.  

The president and CEO also believes in giving back to the Atlanta community. After relocating the company’s North American headquarters to downtown Atlanta in 2020, he began participating in numerous local organizations. Stepe also empowers YKK employees to service personal causes and invest in a happier, improved Atlanta community.  

Having instituted a corporate social responsibility program focused on philanthropy and volunteerism at YKK AP, Stepe realizes those values personally through his service work, which includes serving as associate board member for the Atlanta Youth Soccer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth in Atlanta’s underserved communities. He also acts as an organizational advisor, advocate and fundraiser for the organization.

Stepe is also actively involved with SPIKE Studio, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mentor, educate and develop creative abilities in youth to promote greater diversity in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. He created the “Foundation Crew,” a voluntary, employee-driven committee that regularly organizes community activities. As part of the Foundation Crew, YKK AP’s employees have impacted local organizations like Open Hand Atlanta, where they regularly volunteer to deliver meals to neighbors in need.