HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MAY/JUNE 2025 44 provide new pathways for leadership, recognition, and lifelong learning. We are also enhancing digital platforms to improve accessibility and member experience worldwide. Through our Inclusive Excellence initiatives, we are fostering an environment where all members feel respected and empowered to contribute. Strengthening Core Foundations To remain strong and resilient, ASM must continuously evaluate and modernize its core operations. This includes financial sustainability, governance, digital transformation, and event strategy. We have launched several President’s Task Forces focused on areas such as awards and recognition, membership value, and committee alignment. These task forces are not just advisory; they are action-oriented teams charged with delivering tangible recommendations. Their work is essential to streamlining operations and building a more agile, responsive ASM. We are also reimagining our event strategy. This year, ASM has restructured its meetings into two anchor gatherings: the Spring Meeting (featuring AeroMat, ITSC, and QDE) and the Fall IMAT Annual Meeting (co-located with Heat Treat and the International Conference on Residual Stress). These consolidated events provide a richer, more dynamic experience and increase cross-disciplinary exchange. Looking Ahead As president, I am committed to upholding the values of excellence, service, and collaboration that have defined ASM for over a century. But I am equally committed to evolving our society to meet the demands of the next century. That means embracing digital tools, creating inclusive leadership pipelines, and ensuring our strategic plan is forward-looking and responsive. Having served in leadership roles across academia, industry, and the global stage, I know that true progress comes not from working in silos, but from coming together with shared purpose. ASM is our collective platform—a place where materials science and engineering meets community, leadership meets service, and vision meets action. I encourage every member to engage with ASM this year—join a committee, attend a meeting, mentor a student, or simply share your ideas. Our strength lies in our members, and our future depends on our collective participation. Together, let us shape the future of materials science. Together: ASM Forward 2025! ASM President Navin Manjooran, FASM navin.manjooran@asminternational.org Becker EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CORNER Volunteers Elevate Our Community In late April, I had the distinct honor of formally conveying the news of their successful nominations to our Vice President-Elect, Trustees-Elect, Treasurer-Elect, and the esteemed recipients of the FASM Award. This annual process serves as a true hallmark of our organization, reflecting the enduring excellence, dedication, and leadership that define the ASM community. See more on page 39. Within every thriving professional society lies a vital source of strength: our volunteers. While the work of the Society is supported by a dedicated team of staff members at ASM Headquarters, our mission simply could not be fulfilled without the time, expertise, and shared commitment of the many volunteers who serve on committees, councils, affiliate boards, chapters, and in other key leadership roles. These individuals are central to the strength and impact of our organization—they are, quite literally, what makes ASM thrive. In a professional society, volunteerism is not a side activity—it is an essential expression of professional responsibility and community. It is how members give back, lift others up, and ensure the ongoing relevance and excellence of our discipline. Their impact reaches far beyond the immediate tasks they perform. Volunteers foster innovation, drive policy, deepen member engagement, and help create a vibrant, inclusive professional network. They embody the spirit of collaboration and service that defines us. As you plan the next steps in your professional journey, consider how volunteering or stepping into a leadership role can be part of that path. Beyond advancing our shared mission, these opportunities allow you to forge lasting relationships with peers who share your dedication and values. Many members have found their most meaningful connections—and even lifelong friendships—through volunteer service. If you’re ready to get involved, a great first step is completing the volunteer form on ASM Connect or exploring EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CORNER
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