From Mentorship to Milestones

00:00:00: Hello, I'm your host Adam Brunner and welcome to the Evonix Minute, your quick bi-weekly podcast for all the important stories, news, and announcements for Evonix North America region.

00:00:12: The date is January fifteenth, twenty-twenty-six, and on today's episode, Evonix Tippy Canoe Labs helps mentor and inspire the next generation of master students and The Grow America's Employee Resource Group celebrates five years of empowering and supporting employees across the region.

00:00:30: Those stories and more coming up in just a minute.

00:00:43: First up, mentorship and action at Purdue.

00:00:46: Ivana's collaboration with Purdue University's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering has recently gained attention thanks to the efforts of Mackenzie Temme, a process safety engineering manager at Tippick New Labs in Indiana, McKenzie has been mentoring students and produced professional master's program in chemical engineering, a unique initiative that bridges the gap between academia and industry by combining classroom learning with real-world engineering projects.

00:01:11: As part of this partnership, McKenzie guided Purdue students through an intensive twelve-week project, offering them hands-on experience and process safety initiatives at Avonok.

00:01:20: At Tibica New Labs, these students focused on improving hazardous chemical classification and refining storage protocols.

00:01:26: Throughout the project, they honed essential skills in teamwork, communication, and project management, all skills that are crucial for success in the workplace.

00:01:34: This collaboration not only strengthens the pipeline of talented engineers entering the workforce, but also provides a rewarding experience for mentors like Mackenzie.

00:01:43: It's incredibly rewarding to mentor students and see their growth over the course of a project.

00:01:47: Programs like Purdue's Chemical Engineering Professional Masters Program are vital for bridging the gap between academia and industry.

00:01:54: helping students develop not just technical expertise, but also the soft skills needed to thrive in a professional environment.

00:02:01: At Ivonic, we're proud to play a role in shaping the next generation of engineers while benefiting from their fresh perspective and innovative ideas.

00:02:10: Lastly, five years of empowerment and connection with Grow Americas.

00:02:15: Grow Americas, Ivonic's Employee Resource Group, or ERG, for women, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

00:02:21: This milestone marks the group's transformation from a grassroots initiative into a thriving ERG with nearly seven hundred members spanning two regions and nine local chapters.

00:02:31: Over the past five years, Grow Americas has delivered more than thirty education and development sessions, mentoring programs, leadership panels, and networking events, all designed to support professional growth and foster meaningful connection among employees.

00:02:45: In addition, Grow Americas has played a pivotal role in strengthening Yvonnec's broader ERG community.

00:02:50: which now includes six ERGs with approximately two thousand members across the Americas.

00:02:55: These employee-led groups create spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

00:03:03: Margaret Arul Ananda, a co-lead of Grow Americas and one of its founding members, shares her thoughts.

00:03:09: So what makes Grow Americas truly special?

00:03:12: It is obviously the sense of community we have built over the years.

00:03:16: For me personally, this ERG is just not about programs or events.

00:03:21: It's about the people that are coming together with a sense of curiosity, generosity and courage to lift each other up.

00:03:30: Our members inspire me on a day-to-day basis and I'm proud of the relationships we have fostered and the opportunities we have created to help the colleagues grow personally and professionally.

00:03:41: This is where the impact of growth goes beyond the workspace.

00:03:45: It's about shaping the culture of inclusion, empowerment and connection.

00:03:50: that benefits everyone here at Avonix.

00:03:54: Before you go, Avonix Reserve Louisiana site has donated twenty thousand dollars to the St.

00:03:59: John the Baptist Fire Department to support its critical safety and emergency response efforts.

00:04:04: This contribution will help the department, which responds to over twenty one hundred calls annually, maintain its resources across twelve fire stations.

00:04:12: Meanwhile, Avonix Blair Nebraska site recently celebrated twenty five years of biolist production.

00:04:17: a key solution for the animal nutrition business line that supports healthier and more sustainable livestock diets.

00:04:23: The anniversary event brought together employees, customers, and community members to recognize technological advancements and the site's ongoing commitment to quality, safety, and environmental stewardship.

00:04:34: And finally, volunteers from Birmingham Labs Employee Resource Group for Black Professionals, BUILD, participated in Oxmore Valley Elementary's STEAM Day in Alabama.

00:04:44: They guide students through hands-on chemistry activities, showcasing interactive lessons in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

00:04:54: And that's the news.

00:04:56: I'm Adam Brunner.

00:04:57: Thank you for spending some time with us today on The Iconic

00:05:09: Minute.