Edward F. Rakiewicz – PPG

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Edward F. Rakiewicz 

Edward F. Rakiewicz’s receipt of the IRI Innovation Leadership Award from PPG is met with admiration for his significant contributions, accomplishments, and exemplary leadership qualities. His development and implementation of the technical strategy for PPG ZIRCOBOND® pretreatment, utilized in millions of cars, exemplifies his innovative prowess and strategic vision. With a substantial patent portfolio and successful ventures in aerospace and sustainable product expansion, Rakiewicz has left an indelible mark on PPG’s innovation landscape.

• LinkedIn

Omkaram Nalamasu – Applied Materials

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Omkaram Nalamasu 

Omkaram Nalamasu’s recognition with the IRI Innovation Leadership Award from Applied Materials is acknowledged with respect for his extensive contributions and leadership role as President of Applied Ventures, the company’s investment arm. His team’s development of a crucial technology addressing cost barriers in the OLED TV market highlights his innovative prowess and strategic vision. Nalamasu’s long and impactful career, particularly as Chief Technology Officer at Applied Materials, underscores his significant impact on the industry and brings much experience to the innovation field.

• LinkedIn

Rebecca Seigelman – Dupont

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Rebecca Siegelman

Rebecca Siegelman’s receipt of the IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award from Dupont reflects her remarkable achievements and contributions. She stands out for her outstanding commercial impacts across diverse fields and a solid commitment to community engagement. In roles such as scientist, project manager, and talent recruiter, Siegelman’s accomplishments, including the prestigious R&D 100 Award, underscore her significant influence on innovation. Her prolific publication record and proactive patent applications demonstrate her dedication and expertise. Overall, Siegelman emerges as a standout candidate, embodying the qualities of a promising and influential innovation professional. (Peiwan Zheng accepting on behalf of Rebecca.)

• LinkedIn

Global Paper Products, Sonoco

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding Sonoco

The Sonoco, recipient of the IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability, is hailed as a highly impactful and targeted sustainability initiative. Its focused approach and tangible outcomes make it a standout winner, with potential for significant positive impacts. Notably, the project’s emphasis on creating jobs by using by products underscores its practicality and potential for socio-economic advancement. This recognition highlights the project’s effectiveness in addressing sustainability challenges while generating meaningful benefits for communities and industries. (Scott Hartley accepting on behalf of Sonoco)

Sonoco Website

Orsted

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding the Orsted

Orsted’s IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture win is commendable for their pioneering initiative to “Democratize AI.” Their commitment goes beyond passive monitoring, actively engaging their entire organization in applying AI across various domains. While utilizing AI for efficiency improvement may seem commonplace, Orsted’s approach stands out for its inclusive and proactive stance toward integrating AI throughout its operations. Although still in its nascent stage, the potential for innovation and tangible improvements through democratizing AI within Orsted is promising, marking a significant step towards fostering a culture of innovation within the company.

Orsted Website

Dow Inc.

Summary based on judges’ comments regarding the Dow Inc.

Remarkable platform designed for the B2B realm, lauded for its customer-centric approach that elevates the customer journey. Judges recognized the platform for its innovation and potential to enhance customer experiences; this platform represents a significant milestone for Dow Inc. Its positive impact is evident in its ability to streamline development processes and foster greater efficiency.

Dow Inc. Website

Jim Euchner

This award celebrates an individual’s longstanding professional contributions, dedication, and
commitment to excellence in innovation and R&D.

Jim Euchner was recognized for his 15-year tenure as editor-in-chief of Research-Technology Management and his
decades of contributions to IRI. “It means a lot to me to receive this award. As editor-in-chief I learned something
new almost every day, I worked with insightful authors and leading thinkers in technology and innovation
management and AI—like Clayton Christensen, Vijay Govindarajan, Ethan Mollick, and Karim Lakhani—and I
challenged my own thinking in several areas,” says Euchner. “We increased coverage and were generally
ahead of the curve in some important areas: design, sustainability, business model innovation, and AI.” Euchner
offers this advice: “I encourage professionals in innovation to write, become reflective practitioners, try new things
in your context and find out what works and what doesn’t work and why, and share it. Writing solidifies your thinking
in a way nothing else can. You haven’t really internalized something until you have written about it.”

Michael Obal (one of the authors accepting the award)