The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI): Leading the way to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive chemical manufacturing industry

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation, The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a national chemical industry-wide program which provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). FOSSI also connects these students to leadership development, mentoring and internship opportunities at more than 40 sponsoring companies.

In this Luncheon Keynote session, you will learn how corporate, association and philanthropic leaders have come together to create new pathways for under-represented groups to enter and succeed in the chemical industry through FOSSI.

This session will be facilitated by Mark Vergnano, Chairman of the FOSSI Advisory Board and Chairman of the Board for The Chemours Company, joined by FOSSI Founding Partners from the American Chemistry Council and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Highlights will include:

• The decision to establish FOSSI
• Ways FOSSI is accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) industry-wide
• Important role of leadership and collaboration in advancing DEI goals
• Successes and challenges to date
• Establishing long-term strategic objectives and success indicators

About the Speaker

Lisa Lanzkowsky has been the Chief Development Officer since March 2019. Prior to this role, she served as director of corporate relations and major gifts for the AIChE Foundation since 2013. In this capacity, she worked collaboratively with senior industry executives and the Foundation Board of Trustees on strategies to support and advance chemical engineering.

Her efforts are focused on bringing great minds and people together to collaborate and deliver innovative ideas that positively shape the future, while developing successful, long-term relationships. Her work provides corporate partners opportunities to meet shared goals to shape the profession and address societal needs. She also leads the planning and implementation of AIChE’s annual fundraising gala and corporate council activities.

Lanzkowsky joined AIChE in 1994 as a business analyst, advancing to the role of senior business analyst in the finance group. In that capacity, she monitored budgeting and financial planning activities for the organization.

Lanzkowsky began her career in public accounting with Eisner, LLP, and later worked at WPP Group, an international leader in advertising and marketing services, as an assistant controller for Hill & Knowlton, its public relations company.

As a volunteer, Lanzkowsky previously served as director of fundraising on the Board of Discover the Smile Foundation, which raised funds for Cohen Children’s Hospital (formerly Schneider Children’s Hospital). In addition, she was a member of the Board of Love Without Boundaries, where she strengthened public relations and launched fundraising initiatives for orphanage-support programs. In her spare time she mentors young women that are pursuing careers in business and chemical engineering.

Lanzkowsky received her BS in accounting from Ithaca College. While working in public accounting, she successfully completed the Certified Public Accountant licensing exam.

The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI): Leading the way to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive chemical manufacturing industry

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation, The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a national chemical industry-wide program which provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). FOSSI also connects these students to leadership development, mentoring and internship opportunities at more than 40 sponsoring companies.

In this Luncheon Keynote session, you will learn how corporate, association and philanthropic leaders have come together to create new pathways for under-represented groups to enter and succeed in the chemical industry through FOSSI.

This session will be facilitated by Mark Vergnano, Chairman of the FOSSI Advisory Board and Chairman of the Board for The Chemours Company, joined by FOSSI Founding Partners from the American Chemistry Council and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Highlights will include:

• The decision to establish FOSSI
• Ways FOSSI is accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) industry-wide
• Important role of leadership and collaboration in advancing DEI goals
• Successes and challenges to date
• Establishing long-term strategic objectives and success indicators

About the Speaker

Mark Vergnano serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Chemours Company, a Fortune 500 $6B revenue chemistry company. He previously served as the company’s initial President and CEO upon its spinoff from DuPont in July 2015 until July 2021.

Vergnano began his career at DuPont in 1980 as a process engineer in its fibers business. He went on to serve the company in various leadership capacities and geographic locales over the next 35 years, culminating in his appointment as Executive Vice President in October 2009.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Vergnano received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a member of the University of Connecticut School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Hall of Fame. Vergnano was the 2018 recipient of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ (AIChE) Government and Industry Leaders (AGILE) Award and was named the EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Philadelphia in 2019.

Vergnano is a member of the Board of Directors of Johnson Controls International. He is the past Chairman of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) Board of Directors, past Chairman of the National Safety Council Board of Directors, and a past board member of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). He is the present Chair of the Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), a national chemical industry-wide program providing scholarships, mentoring and internships to students pursuing STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI): Leading the way to a more diverse, equitable and inclusive chemical manufacturing industry

Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company and the HBCU Week Foundation, The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a national chemical industry-wide program which provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). FOSSI also connects these students to leadership development, mentoring and internship opportunities at more than 40 sponsoring companies.

In this Luncheon Keynote session, you will learn how corporate, association and philanthropic leaders have come together to create new pathways for under-represented groups to enter and succeed in the chemical industry through FOSSI.

This session will be facilitated by Mark Vergnano, Chairman of the FOSSI Advisory Board and Chairman of the Board for The Chemours Company, joined by FOSSI Founding Partners from the American Chemistry Council and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Highlights will include:

• The decision to establish FOSSI
• Ways FOSSI is accelerating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) industry-wide
• Important role of leadership and collaboration in advancing DEI goals
• Successes and challenges to date
• Establishing long-term strategic objectives and success indicators

About the Speaker

As Vice President of the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Regulatory and Technical Affairs Division, Kimberly oversees the development of ACC’s policy positions in response to regulatory and legislative proposals. She also leads a staff of experts to identify, analyze and create technical and policy materials to serve as the foundation for ACC’s activities.

Kimberly has more than a decade of experience in the chemical industry, focused on managing science policy issues, scientific research, and product stewardship programs to inform regulatory decision-making. Most recently, she served as Senior Director for ACC’s Chemical Products and Technology Division. In this role, Kimberly supported federal, state and congressional advocacy on specific chemistries and led the development and communication of science policy and research. She also represented industry in chemical policy discussions with various audiences, including testimony to U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate Committees.

Previously, she served as a Scientific Advisor for the oil and natural gas industry where she was responsible for regulatory efforts and research programs focused on environmental, health, and safety.

Kimberly received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in biology and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Toxicology from Texas Southern University.