Chemical engineers, student leaders, and professionals across career stages are the heart of AIChE’s mission to advance the profession and make a lasting impact on society. In this series, we spotlight members whose passion, leadership, and service help shape the future of chemical engineering while strengthening the AIChE community.
This month, we introduce you to AIChE member Lori McDowell, AIChE Fellow, Past Chair of AIChE’s Fellows Council, former AIChE Board member, and CEO at Reimagine U Strategies. In this interview, she shares her 35-year journey with AIChE, the leadership lessons she’s gained through service and volunteering, and how the organization has shaped her commitment to inclusion, community, and professional growth.
What motivated you to join AIChE, and how long have you been a member of the organization?
I first joined as an undergrad because everyone did. After graduation, I let my membership lapse. I rejoined a few years later as a grad student when I had an opportunity to present a paper. My advisor was deeply involved in the Fuels & Petrochemicals Division (F&PD), and he invited me to a programming meeting. After that, I was hooked. I dove into programming and have been an active member ever since. Over my 35 years as an AIChE member, I’ve been involved in many different areas of the organization and have valued every leadership role.
How has AIChE helped you grow professionally and personally?
AIChE has shaped me into a true servant leader. Through volunteer and leadership opportunities, I’ve had the chance to learn, grow, and support AIChE members and chemical engineers across the profession.
AIChE also taught me to embrace and champion diversity and inclusivity, and to truly understand the power of advocacy and allyship. I treasure my involvement with the DORIC and LGBTQ+ Committees.
Beyond that, it’s provided me with a community I know I can count on. I’m still in contact with members I first met over 30 years ago.
What AIChE initiatives or programs have you been most actively involved in?
As a member of F&PD, I was very involved in getting the student scholarship up and running and in the Refinery Topical Conference.
I also started the Leadership Development Topical Conference about 20 years ago, and it’s been part of most Spring Meetings since then, including 2025. This topical conference fills a critical need by providing the non-technical skills every engineer needs to succeed. Attendees have responded enthusiastically to topics like networking, unconscious bias, asking for help, public speaking, career transitions, and most recently, mindset and limiting beliefs. At the session that took place last April, one attendee told me it was the best session he attended and suggested it should be the opening keynote at this year's AIChE Spring Meeting.
As a Board member, I was also deeply involved in developing IDEAL.
What advice would you give to students or early-career professionals looking to get involved in AIChE?
My advice is: Just do it. AIChE offers many ways to get involved and I would suggest to trying different opportunities to discover what you love. You’ll build skills, community, and so much more. The more involved you get, the more you’ll gain.
What’s your favorite AIChE memory—whether it’s a conference moment, or a funny experience with fellow members?
During my time on the Board, we went through a period where we struggled to work together effectively. At one meeting in New Orleans, we had a team dinner at a cooking school, where we participated in a cooking class and competition, then enjoyed the meal we’d prepared together.
That evening was so much fun, and it helped us gel as a Board. After that dinner, we started working well together, and I think that might have been the meeting where we introduced IDEAL to the membership.
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For all membership questions, please reach out to us at membership@aiche.org — we’re here to support you through every step of your professional journey.
