Creating a forum for women to meet, engage and work on enhancing their skills is the primary goal of our Women in CemCo Congress Americas! Join now and meet like-minded professionals that build the industry for women engineers and industry practitioners in Dallas on March 12 and 13. Heidelberg Materials North America’s, Cement Regional Quality Engineer- NW and MW Nitya Iyer will present
Hard Hats, Smart Moves: Leading with Purpose in Heavy Industry
In the world of heavy industry, leadership demands more than technical expertise—it requires vision, resilience, and purpose. As a seasoned chemical engineer, Nitya Iyer has built her career at the intersection of quality, innovation, and sustainability in the building materials and manufacturing sector. At Heidelberg Materials North America, she has led digital transformation efforts, introducing advanced calibration systems and digital tools that have modernized quality control and improved operational performance. Her passion for sustainability continues to shape impactful initiatives that align technical excellence with environmental responsibility.
In this session, Nitya shares practical insights from her journey—navigating complex industrial challenges, championing innovation, and building credibility in traditionally male-dominated environments. Attendees will gain strategies for leading with intention, embracing change, and making smart, purposeful moves that drive progress in the built environment.
Heidelberg Materials North America is a leading supplier of cement, aggregates, readymixed concrete, and asphalt. As part of the global Heidelberg Materials Group, the company is committed to driving sustainability and innovation in the construction materials industry. With a strong focus on decarbonization, digital transformation, and circular economy initiatives, Heidelberg Materials is shaping the future of building materials across the Americas.
About the speaker
Nitya Iyer, BE, MSc, EIT, is a seasoned chemical engineer and quality leader with over 10 years of experience in high-volume industrial environments. Currently serving as a Regional Quality Engineer at Heidelberg Materials North America, she has led transformative initiatives including the implementation of predictive AI models for realtime quality control and ISO 9001-based QMS systems. Her work has resulted in significant cost savings, waste reduction, and emissions cuts—advancing both operational excellence and sustainability.
Nitya holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and is an Engineer-in-Training (EIT). Her graduate research focused on the characterization and gasification kinetics of residues from the direct coal liquefaction of Canadian sub-bituminous coal—work that deepened her expertise in energy systems and industrial byproduct utilization.
With a career spanning operations, technical services, and quality management across North America—including leadership roles at EVRAZ NA, IPS Corporation, and PepsiCo Foods Canada—Nitya brings a unique blend of technical depth, strategic vision, and inclusive leadership to every challenge she tackles
This Women in Cement and Construction International Congress Americas 2026 (March 12-13, Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas) highlights the contributions of women professionals driving innovation, sustainability, and leadership across the cement and construction industries. Book your seat for a unique experience !
With a strong focus on training and mentorship, this event is a crucial forum dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency and operational excellence within the construction industry, aiming to spotlight real-life examples of female leaders.
If you want to speak, exhibit or sponsor please email us at mariana.gheorghe@industrylink.eu.
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You can link your participation to Cementitious Materials International Technical & Trade Congress – Americas
📅 March 11-12, 2026 | 📍Hilton Anatole, Dallas TX, USA
A high-level industry congress dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and trade in the cementitious materials sector that involves two key tracks:
Technical Innovations – Sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing, and cutting-edge technologies.
Trade & Market Dynamics – Market integration, supply chain efficiency, and regulatory trends.
Confirmed Speakers:
Grant Quasha, Chairman & CEO, Eco Material Technologies a CRH Company
Dr. Maria Juenger, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin & President of American Concrete Institute
David Perkins, Senior Vice President, Sustainability & Public Affairs, North America, Heidelberg Materials
Tiffany Reed-Villarreal, Director, Sustainability Codes and Standards, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Dean A. Frank, Principal / Consultant, Dean Frank Associates, LLC
Dr. Nancy Beltran, Director of Concrete Pavements, Cement Council of Texas (CCT)
Dr. Anol Mukhopadhyay, Director, Concrete Innovation Lab, CIR Materials and Rigid Pavement, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI)
Dr. Rich Szecsy, CEO, Big Town Concrete
Darren Wilbanks, Technical Service Manager, Texas Lehigh Cement Company
Corey J. Zollinger, Director – Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, CEMEX
Hongyan Ma – Professor & Director, Laboratory of Future Cements and Carbon-Negative Initiatives (FUCCI), Missouri University of Science and Technology
Reach out if you want to speak or exhibit – Mariana.gheorghe@industrylink.eu.
