PPG announced that Yaqi Wo, PPG head of product management and strategic initiatives, Packaging Coatings, Americas, has received the 2026 Woman of Distinction in Science award from the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania. The award honors women demonstrating excellence in leadership in their respective fields and for serving as role models to girl scouts.

“Yaqi’s leadership is felt both within and outside of PPG,” said Brad Cignetti, PPG director, global marketing and specialty, Traffic Solutions. “She leverages the power of inclusion and innovation to serve customers, develop people, strengthen our business and uplift communities where we operate. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her contributions.”

Prior to joining PPG’s Packaging Coatings business, Wo was responsible for product planning, launches, life cycle analysis, complexity reduction and overall management of PPG’s liquid traffic coatings portfolio. Wo also served in PPG’s Automotive Refinish business and was also a technical project leader, where she led long-term innovation projects for industries including automotive and packaging. She has authored more than 10 scientific journals and patent applications.

Wo holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School. She serves on the board of Literacy Pittsburgh and sits on the finance and investment, and culture and engagement subcommittees, expanding tools and resources for free adult, children and family education programs. She has received multiple awards recognizing her work in advancing and mentoring women and girls in the community, including the Young Athena Award of Greater Pittsburgh in 2023.