Meet Leah Wengender

About Leah

Leah Wengender is the Marketing Specialist at Niagara Specialty Metals. Leah joined Niagara as a marketing intern in November 2025 while completing her MBA at the University at Buffalo and transitioned into a full-time role in June 2026. Today, she manages a variety of Niagara’s marketing efforts, including the company website, blog content, social media, YouTube channel, e-commerce marketing, and other projects that help tell Niagara’s story and connect with customers.

Why Ownership Culture Matters

What Leah enjoys most about working at a 100% employee-owned company is how helpful and supportive everyone is. There is a strong drive for growth throughout Niagara, and seeing how much everyone cares is motivating to perform well because the company’s success benefits everyone.

She also values being surrounded by people with so much knowledge and experience who are willing to share what they know. It is something Leah had never experienced before joining Niagara and is one of the reasons she feels truly blessed to work with a team that cares so much about the company and about each other.

What Customers Might Be Surprised By

Leah believes customers would be surprised by how much actually happens under one roof at Niagara Specialty Metals. Niagara does much more than sell specialty metals. The team rolls, cuts, flattens, grinds, processes, and prepares material for a wide range of applications.

Working in marketing has given her the opportunity to spend time throughout the plant learning about these processes firsthand. It has also shown just how much knowledge, skill, and work go into the material before it ever reaches the customer.

In the Plant

Leah’s favorite piece of equipment in the plant is the laser. It is especially impressive to see how precise the machine can be while cutting through such tough metals. Seeing the laser in action is also a reminder of how advanced manufacturing technology has become.

If Leah could trade jobs with someone at Niagara for a day, it would definitely be someone in the rolling mill. She spends a lot of time taking photos and videos of the rolling process and has gotten to know the operation from the outside. It would be fun to experience the process firsthand and see what it takes to run the equipment. With how hot it can get in the rolling mill during the summer and how physically demanding the work is, though, she admits there would definitely need to be a few breaks along the way!

Outside of Work

Leah’s first job was at VICS in Spencerport, New York, where she worked at an ice cream shop and eventually became a manager. The job included making cakes and novelties, managing employees, and, of course, scooping plenty of ice cream. Working in food service provided valuable experience working with people, staying calm under pressure, and handling a little chaos when the line stretched all the way down the sidewalk.

Outside of work, Leah loves staying active and spending time outdoors. During undergraduate years at the University at Buffalo, she played on the UB women’s soccer team and continues to play soccer competitively today. Other interests include working out, walking, disc golf, pickleball, golf, and sports in general. Leah also enjoys traveling, exploring new places, spending time outside, and spending time with friends and family.

Advice for New Team Members

Leah’s advice to anyone starting at Niagara is to ask questions and always be willing to learn. Working in the office has provided the opportunity to learn about many of the different operations throughout the plant. Coming into Niagara without a background in the steel industry made that learning process especially important.

Fortunately, Niagara is filled with extremely knowledgeable employees who are willing to explain what they do and help others learn. Her advice is simple: if you want to understand something, just ask.

Favorite Memory at Niagara

One of Leah’s favorite memories at Niagara so far was the launch of MagnaMax®. It was exciting to see all of the work leading up to the launch finally come together and to be part of introducing something new to the knife industry.

Seeing the excitement from both the Niagara team and customers made the launch feel like a special moment for the company. For Leah, it was also rewarding to help share the story of MagnaMax® through Niagara’s marketing and watch the response as the new steel was introduced.