Highlights of the event included two award presentations and several inspirational speakers. The Foundation presented its Next Gen Award to Sylvia Acevedo, for her “exemplary work in engineering and technology, extraordinary leadership in bringing diversity to STEM, and commitment to advancing young women in technology fields.” Acevedo is a former NASA engineer, author, entrepreneur, investor, thought leader and speaker on topics ranging from education and STEM to demographic trends, and leadership.
The Excellence in Industry Award was presented to Autodesk president/CEO Andrew Anagnost, whose career spans more than 25 years of product, business, and marketing experience focused on driving strategy, transformation, and product development, and who was recognized for his “commitment to advancing engineering and next generation engineers, for support of equity in engineering and sustainability for the world.”
Gala attendees also learned more about the Autodesk-sponsored ASME E-Fest Extended Reality Challenge, in which engineering students developed and tested sustainable solutions to clean up the oceans using Autodesk’s Fusion design software.
“With this first-ever major industry event, the ASME Foundation celebrates its progress toward our philanthropic goals of equity in engineering and sustainability for the world," said ASME executive director/CEO Tom Costabile. "It's gratifying to see so many of our committed members, donors, and partners step up in support of our mission to advance engineering for the benefit of humanity.”
Attendees included current and prospective donors to The ASME Foundation’s Campaign for Next Generation Engineers, ASME’s five-year, $50 million capital campaign to support its philanthropic work. The Foundation funds ASME’s array of high-impact programs in education, workforce development, and innovation support aimed at increasing equity in the engineering profession and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Optimism Engineered is more than a slogan; it's an affirmation of our belief in the promise of diverse next generation engineers to innovate solutions to our most urgent sustainability challenges," said Stephanie Viola, executive director of the ASME Foundation and managing director of ASME Philanthropy. "Publicly acknowledging engineering visionaries with prestigious ASME Foundation awards, and raising funds to drive our philanthropic programs, are just two of the ways we're empowering tomorrow's engineers to build a better future for all of us.”
Autodesk and the Kenneth & Hazel Roe Family Fund were Changemaker sponsors of the event. Innovator and Accelerator sponsors included Accuris/KKR, Ansys, Focused Wealth Management, and King & Spalding.
