Chair's Column

Welcome remarks from the Chair and actions for 2025

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I am honored to serve as the Chair of the AIChE Management Division for 2025 and excited to build on the strong foundation that defines our community. My deepest gratitude goes to Harold Conner for his exceptional leadership and dedication during his tenure as the 2024 Chair, as well as to the outgoing officers and board members for their invaluable contributions.

I look forward to working alongside Udit Gupta (Vice Chair), Raj Joshi (Treasurer), and Roman Ventura (Secretary), along with our outstanding board members: Vince Magnotta, Ankita Naik, Rashi Tiwari, Chang Dou, Irene Legiec, and Christina Schwarzbach. Together, we will continue advancing the Management Division’s mission: to foster a global community of chemical engineering leaders who drive innovation, champion sustainability, and transform industries through collaboration, mentorship, and impactful leadership.

What’s Ahead in 2025?

We have an exciting year planned with initiatives designed to enhance your professional growth:

• Expanded Programming: Expert-led panels, workshops, and conference sessions, with a special focus on Early Career Professionals transitioning into management.
• Enhanced Digital Resources: Webinars, newsletters, and online tools offering practical insights for leadership excellence.
• New Collaborative Opportunities: Strengthened partnerships with other divisions and communities within, and with industry leaders to enrich learning experiences.

Key Strategic Actions

Building on insights from the 2024 Survey and stakeholder interviews, we are implementing targeted initiatives to strengthen the division:

• Establishing a Programming Committee and a Communications & Marketing Committee to enhance engagement.
• Encouraging board members to take active roles in committees and collaboration teams.
• Updating our Mission, Goals  and Focus Areas on the website to reflect our evolving focus.
• Launching a dedicated team to propose funding initiatives that expand membership, foster belonging, and increase engagement.

Additional Focus Areas

• Strengthening the Awards Committee to recognize excellence in management.
• Leveraging webinars and annual meeting programming to boost engagement.
• Expanding networking and mentorship between senior leaders, young professionals, and key stakeholders.
• Maintaining a strong focus on themes that attract participation and drive volunteer involvement.

Whether you are an experienced leader or just beginning your management journey, the AIChE Management Division is here to support you. I encourage you to engage with our programs, share your insights, and connect with fellow members to strengthen our professional community.

Thank you for being an essential part of this division. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and impact. I welcome your ideas and feedback – so we can shape the future together!

Senyo Opong, PhD

AIChE MGMT Chair 2025