Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on December 31, 2017 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): September 4, 2014 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2014-1169.pr001
Foreword This is the second of three ACS Symposium books stemming from my initiatives in the ACS presidential succession. The first book was based on my presidential symposia at the 2013 national ACS spring meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana when I was ACS President. It was published online in March 2014 (pubs.acs.org/isbn/9780841229389) and is now available in hard copy as well. Its 22 chapters share perspectives of ten presidents representing chemical societies from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas as well as thought leaders from the USA representing academia, industry, government, and small business. This second ACS Symposium book is based on three presidential symposia at the 2013 national ACS fall meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. It covers the experiences and perspectives of speakers at three symposia focused on Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Diversity in the global context. All three symposia were important focus areas of my presidential initiatives. The first symposium topic on “Career Advancement Opportunities” offers ideas and career advice for new graduates as well as seasoned mid-career chemistry professionals interested in exploring new career options. Many of the authors started with an interest in science or as bench chemists in the laboratory, but pursued different routes to rewarding careers. Career stories range from becoming the successful CEO of Eli Lily Company (Dr. John Lechleiter, Chapter 2) to becoming Editor-in-Chief of the Chemical & Engineering News magazine (Rudy Baum, Chapter 11). The second symposium topic, “Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” provides examples of successful entrepreneurs who started as chemists. By sharing their career experiences, we hope this book will catalyze your own ideas on how to bring innovation to the market as a chemist. The ACS Committee on Minority Affairs (CMA), chaired by Al Ribes of Dow Chemical, organized the third symposium topic, “Impact of Diversity and Inclusion.” I have always strongly supported diversity and inclusivity — long before I was elected ACS President — so it naturally became one of my presidential initiatives. Indeed, I was recently invited to talk about the role of diversity in science for the Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP) annual meeting in May 2014 in Washington D.C. My presentation, which I called “Partners for Progress and Prosperity: Celebrating Diversity Together!” is one I give both here in the USA as well as overseas to raise awareness of the importance of diversity and how it enriches our discussions. The importance of raising awareness and appreciation for both diversity and globalization cannot be underestimated if we are to thrive in the global chemistry (and scientific) enterprise of the 21st century. A better understanding of many diverse cultures and backgrounds is essential for effective teamwork xi Cheng et al.; Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Chemistry Enterprise ... ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014.
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on December 31, 2017 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date (Web): September 4, 2014 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2014-1169.pr001
and “Partnering for Progress and Prosperity!” More details are provided in my presidential article in C&EN, Jan. 7, 2013, pg. 2. Many thanks go to the many ACS colleagues, ACS staff, and members of the global chemistry enterprise who provided input and help throughout my years in the ACS Presidential Succession. Extra special thanks go to my co-editors and Presidential Task Force co-chairs — Dr. H.N. Cheng and Dr. Sadiq Shah — for partnering with me on my ACS Presidential initiatives and these books! I am also grateful for the enduring support from my family — my dear mother, Tsun Hwei Li, now 94 years old, plus my two fabulous children who are successful young adults with their own satisfying careers (my talented son Will who designed my presidential logo for “Partners for Progress and Prosperity” on the front cover of this book and my amazing daughter, Lori, who married her wonderful Stanford classmate, Evan), and most of all to my fantastic partner in life, my husband Norm Wu! Thanks to all as we continue to “Partner for Progress and Prosperity!”
Marinda Li Wu 2013 ACS President July 2014
xii Cheng et al.; Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Diversity: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Chemistry Enterprise ... ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2014.
