ChE Advisory Board
The ChE Advisory Board provides insight, guidance and assistance in the pursuit of the department’s strategic vision.
Current areas of focus include the Michigan Chemical Engineering difference; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the undergraduate experience.
Steve Hart, Board Chair
Retired Global VP and Regional Managing Director of ExxonMobil
Steve Hart is the retired Global VP and Regional Managing Director of ExxonMobil. He has a Chemical Engineering BSE from U-M and an MBA from the University of Houston. Steve brings broad experience, a global leadership perspective and extensive industry connections, along with a commitment and passion for U-M ChE to the Board.
Andre Argenton
Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of EH&S at Dow
Andre Argenton is Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of EH&S at Dow. He has a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Sao Paulo. Andre is responsible for applying science, collaboration and consistency of purpose in the Corporation’s sustainability efforts. He has experience leading corporate R&D and brings corporate insight as well as other connections with academia and industry organizations to the Advisory Board.
Rhonda Germany Ballintyn
Retired Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer and VP at Honeywell
Rhonda Germany Ballintyn is the retired Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer and VP at Honeywell. She received her BSE in ChE from U-M and also holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut School of Business. Rhonda brings extensive business and board experience and a passion about the education of underprivileged students, ChE and diversity in STEM to the Advisory Board.
Blake Bath
Retired CEO and CIO of Bay Bridge Capital Management
Blake Bath is the retired CEO and CIO of Bay Bridge Capital Management. He received his BSE in ChE from U-M and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Blake brings extensive networking and fundraising experience to the Advisory Board, as well as a family commitment to the department as his father received his PhD in 1962.
Dave Knapp
VP R&D Fellow at Boston Scientific
Dave Knapp is a VP R&D Fellow at Boston Scientific. He holds a ChE BSE degree from U-M and a PhD from Minnesota. Dave is a medtech leader who is also on the U-M BME Board. He brings his ability to connect and cut through silos and his passion for helping the Department continue to grow in excellence to our Advisory Board.
Stephen Kennedy
Sr. Vice President at CRISPR Therapeutics
Stephen Kennedy is Sr. Vice President and head of Technical Operations at CRISPR Therapeutics. He received his BS in ChE from U-M and his MS in ChE from the University of Rochester. He got his MBA from Boston University. Steve brings extensive knowledge of the biotechnology industry to the Advisory Board. Steve is a strong Michigan supporter with extensive family history with the University.
Jeff Lievense
Industrial biotechnology pioneer, Founder and CEO of Lievense Bioengineering
Jeff Lievense is an industrial biotechnology pioneer, Founder and CEO of Lievense Bioengineering, and member of the National Academy of Engineering. He received his Chemical Engineering BSE from U-M and a ChE PhD from Purdue. Jeff brings his pioneering background and passion about scholarships and the CoE to the Advisory Board.
Lei Li
Director of Digital Innovation in P&G’s Feminine Care Business
Lei LI received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2002 under the direction of Prof. Ronald Larson. She is currently a Director of Digital Innovation in P&G’s Feminine Care Business. Her career has focused on Modeling & Simulation on product, process and package. She has a passion to coach young professionals for their career success.
Alvaro Masias
Supervisor in Cell Technology Research at Ford Motor Company
Alvaro Masias is a Supervisor in Cell Technology Research at Ford Motor Company’s Ion Park Division. He received his BS in Engineering & Applied Science from California Institute of Technology and his MS and PhD in Material Science & Engineering from U-M. Alvaro has extensive knowledge of battery research and development. He has collaborated with national labs and top universities. The Board will benefit from his knowledge of the next generation battery industry.
Scott Nyquist
Senior Advisor and Former Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company
Scott Nyquist is Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company. He received his BS in ChE from U-M and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has worked with many energy and industrial companies and has extensive knowledge of energy, sustainability and the US economy. His experience working on energy transition with other university advisory boards and community organizations will be a benefit to the Board.
Anshu Roy
Founder and CEO of Rhombus Power
Anshu Roy is the Founder and CEO of Rhombus Power, a Silicon Valley start-up and NASA Research Park partner. Rhombus is purposefully transforming the nation’s defense and national security enterprises with Guardian, its Artificial Intelligence platform for strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making at the Speed of Relevance. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from U-M working with Professor Ron Larson. Anshu brings his enthusiasm for the graduate program, curriculum and internships and an important entrepreneurial perspective to the Advisory Board.
Rosemarie Wesson
Interim Associate Provost for Research at CCNY
Rosemarie (Rose) Wesson is the Interim Associate Provost for Research at CCNY. She received her PhD in chemical engineering from U-M working with Professor Jim Wilkes. Rose brings to the Board her extensive experience in academia, as well as NSF and AIChE leadership.
Ben Shapiro, Ad hoc Advisor to the Board
Malcolm P. McNair Emeritus Professor of Marketing at Harvard Business
Ben Shapiro, the Malcolm P. McNair Emeritus Professor of Marketing at Harvard Business School, is serving as an ad hoc Advisor to the Board. He received his Chemical Engineering BSE from U-M and both an MBA and DBA from Harvard Business School. Ben brings to the Board his experience with academic administration, as well as a significant nonprofit and corporate advisory experience, including strategy, marketing, and fundraising, from start-ups to large international corporations.
