Darlene S. Schuster
Darlene S. Schuster, Ph.D. is an established chemical engineer, with over 20 years of experience leading a technology and development professional consulting company, along with vast work experience in the chemical and bio-pharmaceutical fields, who now serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). She previously served as Chief of Technical Operations, Membership & Business Development at AIChE.
Prior to her appointment as CTO at AIChE, Dr. Schuster was the Director of the Institute for Sustainability, Senior Director of the Institute Alliances and Director of Government Relations for AIChE in Washington, DC.
Before working at AIChE, Darlene was awarded a Science Policy Fellowship with the American Chemical Society, where she worked to educate congressional staff and Congress on technical policy issues.
Previous to her tenure in Washington, Darlene was the Clare Boothe Luce Chair of Chemical Engineering at Bucknell University.
Schuster earned her chemical engineering degree at West Virginia University where she graduated, cum laude, with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and holds a master of science in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from West Virginia University.
AIChE’s 2023 annual report is now available for download. This 16-page booklet offers an overview of how AIChE — through its conferences, technical entities, educational programs, communities, publications, and outreach activities — is finding new ways to engage with its stakeholders and keep pace with the evolving needs of the workforce.
New partnerships
The report highlights AIChE’s accomplishments in 2023, including how the Institute continues to forge new partnerships. Examples include AIChE’s continued development of its Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Manufacturing Institute, which received a five-year funding renewal from DOE. In addition, AIChE’s Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) continued to expand its membership base in 2023 while also establishing a new alliance with the UK-based Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to support industry’s adoption of hydrogen and technologies for reducing greenhouse gases.
New educational and career development opportunities
The Institute continued to expand its educational offerings and career development opportunities. Some of the numerous changes in this area include AIChE’s Institute for Learning and Innovation’s (ILI) piloting a new Sustainability Corps, as well efforts that have increased the presence of AIChE’s Community of Process Engineers.
Opening doors to engage future stakeholders
Activities to welcome and engage future stakeholders included the launch of a new “explorer” membership tier for those new to AIChE. AIChE Foundation also continued its support of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). Furthermore, the Institute continued its commitment to walk the IDEAL Path in all its endeavors.
To learn about these activities and many more, download your free copy of the 2023 annual report at www.aiche.org/annual-report.