Editor’s note: This is an adaptation of a press statement available for immediate release. Our fifth annual forum will convene leaders in engineering, impact investment, academia, and social entrepreneurship to celebrate the engineering that drives sustainable development.
Engineering for Change (E4C), a part of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), has announced the keynote speaker and award presenters for our fifth annual Impact.Engineered forum, a virtual event and networking experience, Thursday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. The forum provides an inside look at what’s trending in the world of “engineering for good” as it convenes leading engineers, impact investors, scholars, and social entrepreneurs to celebrate innovators shaping the future of global development and their contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The virtual format creates new opportunities for participants to connect with E4C’s global audience of more than one million innovators.
Austin Alexander, vice president of sustainability and social impact for Xylem Inc., will deliver keynotes remarks about the connection between water scarcity and affordability, water system resilience to climate change, and the role of engineers in Xylem’s efforts to solve global water challenges.
The Impact.Engineered 2021 agenda also includes a session on “Engineering Global Development: Field Insights” in which E4C fellows and partners share their experiences and lessons learned, followed by remarks from Kathleen Knight, executive director of Siegel Family Endowment, which recently pledged $100,000 to fund a cohort of five cross-sector engineering fellows in 2022 and conduct a longitudinal impact evaluation of the program. During the “Innovation Launch Pad” session, event participants will learn more about plans for the future of the ASME Innovation Showcase (ISHOW), the prestigious international accelerator of hardware-led social innovation that has enabled over 160 startups from more than 28 countries to solve critical quality-of-life challenges for people in underserved communities worldwide. The 2021 ISHOW cohort will exhibit their social impact hardware in the event’s virtual Tech Gallery.
Kara Miller, columnist for The Boston Globe and former executive editor and host of the public radio program Innovation Hub, with emcee the virtual Impact.Engineered Awards ceremony, introducing an impressive line-up of award presenters who will recognize “the best of the best” across several categories, including:
- the Ecosystem Builder award, presented by Dr. Beatrice Murage, senior manager of global sustainability for Philips;
- the Woman Champion: Powering Impact award, presented by Carlotta M. Arthur, director of The Henry Luce Foundation’s Clare Booth Luce Program for Women in STEM
- the Academic Ally award, presented by Kendra Sharp, head of the National Science Foundation’s Office of International Science and Engineering
- the Impact Driver award, presented by John Wain, senior shelter cluster coordination officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
- and the Change Maker award, presented by Neil Yeoh, CEO and founder of OnePointFive (opf.degree) and selected by popular vote. Visit here to learn more about the nominees and vote online before 11:40 a.m. EST on Dec. 2.
“We are truly inspired by the change agents and thought leaders who participate in Impact.Engineered and their commitment to improve the quality of life for people around the world,” says ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile, who will deliver opening remarks at the event. “This year, I’m particularly excited about the evolution of the ISHOW platform and the potential to support even more of this important work. We look forward to sharing more with you on Dec. 2!”
For more information, visit impact-engineered.org.
About Engineering for Change (E4C)
Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, Engineering for Change (E4C) is a knowledge organization dedicated to preparing, educating, and activating the international engineering workforce to improve the quality of life of underserved communities worldwide. E4C provides access to resources, talent and platforms that accelerate the development of impactful solutions and infuse engineering rigor into global development. Our diverse, global community of more than one million people comprises engineers, technologists, social entrepreneurs, and development practitioners. Jointly founded by ASME and other leading engineering societies, E4C has attracted the support of a variety of partners and sponsors ranging from industry, academia, non-profits and multilateral organizations, and corporations.
About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. In 2020, ASME formed the International Society of Interdisciplinary Engineers (ISIE) LLC, a new for-profit subsidiary to house business ventures that will bring new and innovative products, services, and technologies to the engineering community, and later established the holding company, Global Knowledge Solutions LLC. In 2021, ASME launched a second for-profit subsidiary, Metrix Connect LLC, an industry events and content platform to accelerate digital transformation in the engineering community and an agent for the Mechanical Engineering® brand of media products. For more information, visit www.asme.org.
Learn about the speakers at Impact.Engineered
