19 Mar The Women Behind Levy’s Strongest Asset: Its People

For over 100 years, Levy’s success has been shaped by the strength of its people. This Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting two leaders who have helped us along the way: Brandie Modzelewski and Vanessa Lagrutta-Kasa.

As an HR Manager supporting Levy’s steel mill services division, Brandie spends much of her time working closely with employees and managers across the company. She helps navigate challenges to strengthen communication between teams and improve employee engagement. Her work focuses on making sure people feel supported and understood. Modzelewski says “effective leadership starts with empathy”.

“Most people think HR is about enforcing rules or policies and, sometimes, that’s true,” said Modzelweski. “But for me, it’s taking the time to understand what might be behind a situation, whether someone didn’t have the training they needed or there’s something going on outside of work. When you meet people where they are and really listen, you build stronger teams and a stronger culture.”

As Levy’s Director of Performance Improvement, Vanessa shares a similar focus. She guides leadership training, operational improvements, and quality systems that support Levy sites across the globe. Her work helps employees develop new skills and grow in their careers. What motivates her most is seeing the positive impact on the people she works with.

“The best part of my job is watching people excel in their path,” said Lagrutta-Kasa. “You get to know their backgrounds, what motivates them, and where they want their careers to go. It’s rewarding when you can help someone develop their confidence or take the next step in their career.”

For women interested in entering the field, they both have simple advice: stay curious and believe in what you bring to the table. Ask questions, learn from the people around you, and be open to opportunities you might not have expected. Their own journeys show that those steps are crucial to the organization and enable Levy to continue to improve its culture and workforce for the next 100 years.