American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation Announces 2024 Honorees

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) announces the 2024 AIChE Gala, which will spotlight the contributions of chemical engineers and the companies that employ them. The Gala is scheduled for December 4, 2024, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.

This year’s theme is "Inspiring the Power of Good," and the gala will showcase the contributions of BASF Corporation North America, which is being recognized for operational excellence and for improving health, safety and environmental performance for a more sustainable future. BASF will be represented at the gala by Mike Heinz, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

AlChE will also recognize Celanese Corp. for advancing women in the workplace, development of the next generation of STEM leaders through the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), and sustainability initiatives that have benefitted society. Lori Ryerkerk, chairman, CEO and president of Celanese Corp., will accept the gala honor.

The organization also will present the Doing a World of Good Medal to Gregory Stephanopoulos, the Willard Henry Dow professor in Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stephanopoulos will be celebrated for his leadership and pioneering contributions in metabolic and biochemical engineering, which have resulted in more-sustainable manufacturing, improved innovation in alternative fuels, and an increased understanding of metabolic engineering in industrial biotechnology.

“AIChE is pleased to recognize the significant contributions of this year’s Gala honorees. These individuals, and their organizations, represent some of the finest work of our profession, and they play a vital role in advancing chemical engineering technologies and also in strengthening the chemical engineering workforce," said AIChE Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Darlene S. Schuster. "AIChE, along with the chemical engineering community, looks forward to celebrating these exemplary leaders at our Gala in December.”

The Gala is organized by the AIChE Foundation. Funds raised will underwrite the expansion of AIChE’s Doing a World of Good priorities to strengthen the chemical engineering workforce in order to expand the profession’s positive impact on the world.