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by Idell Bryan -
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As AIChE's Interim CEO for the past 90 days, I've been guiding the organization through its leadership transition following Darlene Schuster's retirement on November 1st. I’ve already had the chance to meet and interact with many of you, but for those of you I haven’t yet met, the start of the year seemed like a great time to introduce myself, share some of my experiences and impressions so far, and look at the year unfolding before us.
I come to AIChE with more than 25 years’ experience serving associations and not-for-profits, including policy-focused organizations as well as those focused on technology, business/trade, and scientific/medical sectors. But early in my career, I learned that every organization is a unique world of its own, so I’m really excited by the challenge of working with chemical engineers and understanding your world—and working together to make AIChE even more useful to you.
Getting to know you
My first mission here has been to get acquainted with AIChE and its diverse members and programs. In the last three months, I’ve been fortunate to get a good taste for AIChE and its members, starting with the Annual Meeting in San Diego. I was struck by the record attendance of more than 6,000, and it quickly became apparent how much potential there is for this vibrant and growing community.
I also had the privilege of supporting AIChE’s Foundation and witnessing the remarkable impact of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), which has secured funding for nearly 800 four-year scholarships, thanks to our collaboration with ACC, Chemours, and HBCU Week. And I was honored to attend the Foundation’s Annual Gala in New York, where I got to meet donors as well as some of the FOSSI scholars benefitting from the Foundation’s work, which made the experience all the more meaningful.
Building on AIChE’s vibrant community and programs
In all that I’ve seen so far, I continue to be struck by the wide variety of fields and specialties AIChE’s members represent. The chemical engineering profession plays a critical role in countless industries and economies—not to mention the vital part it plays in our planet’s future. And as I’ve gotten to know various AIChE programs and initiatives up close, it’s become clear how important the Association truly is. For example, the momentum we’ve built through programs like H2CIRC and the Center for Hydrogen Safety has been extraordinary, with both entities already positioning themselves as industry standards. Likewise, when I celebrated the RAPID team’s success in securing RAPID 2.0 funding, and witnessed the thousands of participants who took part in CCPS International Process Safety Week, I knew I had seen a glimpse of the future.
What’s ahead
In the months ahead, we will continue to evolve with industry’s and society’s demands, with an unwavering commitment to remaining the “Global Home for Chemical Engineering.” We’ll be looking at how we can build on our successes and identify areas where we can do better. This will include looking at strategic investments in programs and services that benefit both existing and prospective members, as well as ways to expand and strengthen our community. And, of course, all that we do will be guided by AIChE’s core values and an eye towards not only today’s chemical engineer but to future generations.
I eagerly embrace this important challenge and look forward to working with you all to create an even better AIChE in the months ahead.
Victor Bohnert, AIChE’s Interim CEO