Press Release: Innovation Research Interchange Announces Annual Award Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2024

Innovation research Interchange Announces Annual Award Finalists

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Innovation Research Interchange, the innovation management division of the National Association of Manufacturers that serves as a community of industry leaders dedicated to accelerating innovation and top-line growth, announced the finalists for the 2024 IRI Excellence Awards and the IRI Innovation Leadership Award. These awards honor those whose outstanding vision and tireless pursuit of excellence are already impacting our lives today and shaping the industries of tomorrow.

“We’re privileged to nominate these innovation leaders who are leveraging technology to enhance operational performance and sustainability and fostering a collaborative workplace culture that celebrates innovation,” said Yat Ming Ooi, editor-in-chief at Research-Technology Management. “In addition to building team unity and encouraging executive leadership to invest further in these technological and cultural advancements, the awards demonstrate how our sector is at the forefront of improving the quality of life.”

Award Finalists:

Individual Finalists

IRI Innovation Leadership Award
The IRI Innovation Leadership Award celebrates visionary leaders whose exceptional contributions and transformative influence have advanced the landscape of innovation significantly.  

Finalist: Rashi Tiwari, Dow
Finalist: Edward F. Rakiewicz, PPG
Finalist: Omkaram Nalamasu, Applied Materials

IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award
The IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award recognizes individuals 35 and under at the time of nomination who have already begun to make an impact in the field of innovation in their organization, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. 

Finalist: Dominic Savino, Sonoco
Finalist: Michelle Tsui, Dow
Finalist: Cassandra Miller, GE Aerospace
Finalist: Rebecca Siegelman, Dupont

Company Finalists

IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability
The IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability recognizes recent outstanding achievement and projects that have made a meaningful impact and significant contribution to sustainability efforts in their organization or industry. 

Finalist: Global Paper Products, Sonoco
Finalist: Henkel Corporation
Finalist: Lam Research

IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture
The IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture recognizes organizations that foster inclusive, diverse, equitable and psychologically safe workplaces, cultivating an environment where innovation thrives. It honors companies championing upskilling and professional development to ensure their teams’ adaptability and success in a rapidly changing world. 

Finalist: Orsted
Finalist: Trane Technologies

IRI Excellence Award for Digital and Technological Innovation
The IRI Excellence Award for Digital and Technological Innovation recognizes outstanding achievements in the development or application of digital and technological solutions. The award seeks to inspire innovation and encourage organizations and teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective industries.

Finalist: Eastman Chemical Company
Finalist: Dow

-Innovation Research Interchange-
The Innovation Research Interchange is the NAM’s innovation management division. IRI is a community of industry leaders dedicated to accelerating innovation and top-line growth. IRI members drive impactful innovation, develop the research and development roadmaps and make the investments that keep manufacturing at the forefront of advancing technologies and improving quality of life. For more information, please visit https://iriweb.org.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2024	CONTACT: NAM Media Relations

Innovation research Interchange Announces Annual Award Finalists Washington, D.C. – Today, the Innovation Research Interchange, the innovation management division of the National Association of Manufacturers that serves as a community of industry leaders dedicated to accelerating innovation and top-line growth, announced the finalists for the 2024 IRI Excellence Awards and the IRI Innovation Leadership Award. These awards honor those whose outstanding vision and tireless pursuit of excellence are already impacting our lives today and shaping the industries of tomorrow. “We’re privileged to nominate these innovation leaders who are leveraging technology to enhance operational performance and sustainability and fostering a collaborative workplace culture that celebrates innovation,” said Yat Ming Ooi, editor-in-chief at Research-Technology Management. “In addition to building team unity and encouraging executive leadership to invest further in these technological and cultural advancements, the awards demonstrate how our sector is at the forefront of improving the quality of life.” Award Finalists: Individual Finalists IRI Innovation Leadership Award The IRI Innovation Leadership Award celebrates visionary leaders whose exceptional contributions and transformative influence have advanced the landscape of innovation significantly.   Finalist: Rashi Tiwari, Dow Finalist: Edward F. Rakiewicz, PPG Finalist: Omkaram Nalamasu, Applied Materials IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award The IRI Promising Young Innovation Professional Award recognizes individuals 35 and under at the time of nomination who have already begun to make an impact in the field of innovation in their organization, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.  Finalist: Dominic Savino, Sonoco Finalist: Michelle Tsui, Dow Finalist: Cassandra Miller, GE Aerospace Finalist: Rebecca Siegelman, Dupont Company Finalists IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability The IRI Excellence Award for Innovation in Sustainability recognizes recent outstanding achievement and projects that have made a meaningful impact and significant contribution to sustainability efforts in their organization or industry.  Finalist: Global Paper Products, Sonoco Finalist: Henkel Corporation Finalist: Lam Research IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture The IRI Excellence Award for Outstanding Innovative Culture recognizes organizations that foster inclusive, diverse, equitable and psychologically safe workplaces, cultivating an environment where innovation thrives. It honors companies championing upskilling and professional development to ensure their teams’ adaptability and success in a rapidly changing world.  Finalist: Orsted Finalist: Trane Technologies IRI Excellence Award for Digital and Technological Innovation The IRI Excellence Award for Digital and Technological Innovation recognizes outstanding achievements in the development or application of digital and technological solutions. The award seeks to inspire innovation and encourage organizations and teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in their respective industries. Finalist: Eastman Chemical Company Finalist: Dow -Innovation Research Interchange- The Innovation Research Interchange is the NAM’s innovation management division. IRI is a community of industry leaders dedicated to accelerating innovation and top-line growth. IRI members drive impactful innovation, develop the research and development roadmaps and make the investments that keep manufacturing at the forefront of advancing technologies and improving quality of life. For more information, please visit https://iriweb.org.