The 2021 Society of Innovators award winners have been revealed by Purdue University Northwest.
The society, which affiliated with PNW in 2018, will honor this year’s class at a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Hobart.
The Society of Innovators Class of 2021 includes:
Individual Inductees
- Andrew Cleland, vice president operations, HD Industrial Inc., Griffith
- McKenya Dilworth, executive director, Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse, Gary
- Roger Winter, president, Wintergreen Construction Products, Crown Point
Team Inductees
- ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development Center, East Chicago; team leader, David Price; team members, Pallava Kaushik, Bernard Chukwulebe, Henry Hahn, and Sriram Sadagopan
- United Way of Northwest Indiana, Griffith and Valparaiso; team leader, Andrea Proulx-Buinick; team members, Jessica Callard, Grace Morin, Talisa Rogers-Hall, and Claire Schapker
“If we’ve learned anything over the last 18 months, it is that innovation is needed more than ever to help guide our communities into an increasingly uncertain future,” said Jason Williams, managing director of the Society of Innovators. “We are excited to recognize each of these individuals and teams and are honored to induct them into the Society as members of our class of 2021.”
Nearly 40 finalists were evaluated by this year’s selection committee. The committee examined and analyzed the innovation(s) each nominee was responsible for in order to guide final decision-making. An innovation needed to provide a new solution, benefit society and create measurable value.
New this year, the committee was also asked to look for nominees with the “innovation X-factor,” or those individuals that are looked to as innovative leaders in their community. To be eligible for induction, innovators must live or work in Northwest Indiana.
The 2021 selection committee included:
- Jalen Boney, business development manager, Economic Development Corp. of Michigan City
- Kristin Burton, assistant professor of entrepreneurship, PNW College of Business
- Lawrence Hamer, dean, PNW College of Business
- Connie Kann, inspirational speaker and board, Urban League of NWI
- Terry Murphy, president and CEO, Hammond Group
- Kay Nelson, director, environmental affairs, Northwest Indiana Forum
- Julie Rizzo, founder and CEO, Organic Granite
- Carl Zuhl, business designer, Do Tank
The event will also feature special guest speaker Blair Milo, founding director, Center for Talent and Opportunity at Sagamore Institute.
To register for the event visit visit pnw.edu/innovators-awards or by reaching out to Jason Williams at jawilliams@pnw.edu.
