By Monica Shovlin
MCShovlin Communications LLC (for ASME)
Briefly: Fifth annual forum convenes leading engineers, impact investors, scholars, and social entrepreneurs to celebrate engineering driving sustainable development
New York—November 24, 2021: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)’s Engineering for Change (E4C) has announced the keynote speaker and award presenters for its fifth annual Impact.Engineered forum, a virtual event and networking experience scheduled for 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.
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.
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.
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 Allyaward, 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!”
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