We live in interesting times. The need for active scientists, a robust academic and industrial enterprise and an educated public is compelling, and the ACS is uniquely positioned to enable us to advance chemistry in these areas…but not if we are quiet.  We as a Society need to tell our story—to communicate, educate and advocate.  This is what I have done throughout my career as I led organizations through challenging times.  I was Chair of the Chemistry Department of a large research-intensive university during the COVID pandemic.  Not only did our teaching and research missions thrive but I garnered enough resources to hire 22 new Chemistry faculty, most of whom are tenure-track.  I chaired the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry during the outsourcing of the 2000's that roiled the employers of Division members, and the Division came out robust.  I have done these things while maintaining a high-profile research career: 75 graduate students, 26 postdoctoral fellows, more than 100 undergraduate researchers, around 200 papers (mostly in ACS journals) more than 220 invited research talks on six continents, awards including the Garvan-Olin Medal.  And I have maintained an international research presence as a member of three European Union Cooperation in Science and Technology Actions and an EU Innovative Training Network.  Now, I want to join with you to use my skills and the resources of the ACS as we tell our story about the value of chemistry as the central science.

Communicate.  We are outstanding in our scientific communications through the ACS journals and conferences.  Let us maintain that excellence and also use our skills to communicate with the public.  Is your passion live events such as Science Cafes?  Providing tours of your company's facilities?  Social media?  Podcasts or videos?  Something new?  I am committed to supporting development of creative new outreach programs that bring science to our communities. Do you enjoy explaining complex concepts to a non-expert audience?  We will refresh and expand the list of volunteer ACS Experts who provide information for news stories.  As ACS President, I will be out there telling the story.  Find your passion and come with me out into the community of our fellow citizens!

Educate.  The ACS has long been the advocate for quality in chemical education.  I have seen this through my service on the ACS Committee on Professional Training.  We can maintain this quality while supporting innovative curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  I am committed to support efforts in this area that include broad perspectives from academics, industry and the public sector, so that we can prepare our students with both disciplinary expertise and the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex global workforce.  Not all education is done in the classroom.  As we rethink education, we should incentivize experiential learning such as internships and study abroad.  Communities are also essential for education.  Student organizations and mentoring programs for new faculty and early career industrial chemists are a critical priority for training the next generation.  Those of us who are senior in our career paths have an obligation to pass along what we have learned to the early career chemists among us, and I will champion these efforts as ACS President.

Advocate.  First, we must support and advocate for each other and for the ACS.  We can bring in additional members to strengthen our community.  We can participate in local section activities.  Despite the current climate, diversity is a good thing.  We can be welcoming to all of us.  We can support the affinity groups within ACS.  Then, as a cohesive group of chemists, we can engage in broader advocacy.  The ACS has a robust advocacy program in Washington DC that addresses policy at the federal level.  This is extremely important, and I will continue to engage in these efforts.  However, there is more to do.  It has been said that all politics is local.  The same advocacy strategies ACS uses in Washington can be used by local sections to engage with school boards, local governments, and regional commissions to address issues that affect their members.  Let's do it!

As we tell our story:  communicate, educate and advocate, the ACS has resources to utilize.  Use them as a starting point.  We will develop more resources as we go.   I will lead the way.  Come with me.  We can make a difference.