Who We Are
E4C’s mission is to prepare, educate and activate the international engineering workforce to improve the quality of life of underserved communities around the world. We do this by providing resources and platforms that accelerate the development of impactful solutions and ensure public health and safety around the globe.
Meet Our Team
What’s your real-life superpower?
I’m immune to jet lag. A fantastic superpower for someone who is a frequent traveler.
What’s your favorite underrated technology in global development? Post-harvest preservation systems are some of the most underrated but significant technologies in global development. About 1.3 billion tons food gets lost globally per year, and much of that occurs in low-income countries. Efficient agricultural preservation systems (such as off-grid refrigerators and crop storage systems) can reduce food losses substantially and improve food security around the world.
What’s your real-life superpower? I’m immune to jet lag. A fantastic superpower for someone who is a frequent traveler.
What’s in your go bag for fast getaways? Universal power adapter, camera, running shoes, expandable duffel bag for unexpected souvenirs, sunscreen and Sharpies.
What inspires you?
The thoughtful letters I receive from engineers with a vision for an equitable future.
How long have you been with E4C? Since we were in beta with just three dozen testers and a dream.
What’s on your desk? I work on a lap desk on my porch where I can see the Pacific if I stand on tippy toe.
Cell phones or toilets? Toilets. Because, come on. Phones are great, but toilets.
What inspires you?
Human rights and democracy activists.
How long have you been with E4C? Since February 2016
Cell phones or toilets? Phones, since I am passionate about ICT4D and telecom engineer, I stand for cell phones and I believe they can solve many problems in the world!
What’s your real-life superpower? I am a twin, so I sometimes communicate with her without even speaking.
What inspires you?
The wisdom of the old and the passion of the young.
What’s your favorite underrated technology in global development? The wheelchair and other technological designs that address mobility difficulties. Once a society can achieve full accessibility for every single person, then individuals can better support themselves, their families, and their communities.
Cell phones or toilets? Definitely cell phones because information and the ability to communicate will always empower people wherever they live.
What’s your real-life superpower? I drink more milk compared to anyone else I know, and I’ve never had a broken bone, fracture, or even a cavity. Totally worth it.
How long have you been with E4C?
I have been working with the team since 2017.
What's your real-life superpower? My ability to juggle lots of details without letting anything fall through the cracks - the power of my to-do list.
What's on your desk? ‘I’m Kind of a Big Deal’ sign to constantly remind myself that I am powerful, I am important, I am woman - hear me roar!
Cell phones or toilets? Toilets…no one can live without going to the bathroom but I think we could all use a little less time with our cell phones in our daily life.
What inspires you?
The innocence and "never give up" attitude of a child.
What's in your go bag for fast getaways? There are so many things, but KIND bars and sanitizing lotion would be the thing that are always in my bag.
Cell phones or toilets? If I had to choose, I would choose toilets because I can still talk to someone face-to-face or write a letter. But I cannot control my biological need to use the bathroom.
What's on your desk? There is a smiling picture of my daughter. It reminds me to keep smiling.
What inspires you?
People. The dream of a better world. The roles science and technology play in creating our reality.
What is your favorite underrated technology in global development? Paperclips. And I must say I am a big believer in human creativity and imagination as the ultimate tool. So how many users can you give a paperclip?
Cell phones or toilets? Definitely toilets. No cell phone will ever ground you this much and remind you that, when it comes down to the basics, we are just as any and every other living being on Earth! As we embark further into this technological age, we should never forget where we come from.
What is your real-life superpower? Getting into other peoples' shoes and stories, and really feeling how they feel.
What inspires you?
Going back and providing resources to minority students interested in STEM.
What's your real-life superpower? I can dance for hours and not get tired or bored.
What's on your desk? I have candles, cards from my family, pictures of my family, and an essential oil diffuser.
Cell phones or toilets? Toilets. Whenever I travel I realize how much I love having a clean working toilet with a seat.
Steering Committee
MADIHA KOTB
Director
Madiko Consulting & ASME Past President
MIKE LIGHTNER
Professor & Chair
Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, CU Boulder IEEE HAC
JASON PRAPAS
Research Director
Tata Center for Technology & Design, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
SEEMA PATEL
Division Chief
Innovation Design and Advisory, Global Development Lab, USAID
BOB NANES
Executive Director
D-Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Engineering for Change (E4C) works with partners who share our mission and passion for improving the quality of life. E4C strives to build a multidisciplinary coalition of change agents and invites your organization to join us in helping global development practitioners to design and deploy impactful solutions for underserved communities. Our partners help us develop technical knowledge, advocate for development engineering and multiply our growing network of practitioners. To become a partner, email us at partners@engineeringforchange.org
FOUNDING PARTNERS
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by engineers.
for everyone.
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