Two teams from ESD now Stantec and Stantec join a total of 600 Women Build volunteers in this year’s effort by Habitat for Humanity to construct houses for Chicago women who might not otherwise be able to afford a new home. (Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Chicago’s Women Build.)
Three Chicago ACE Mentor teams make the grade in the 2023 Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) National Design and Construction Competition. The contest encourages ACE Mentor Affiliate teams to tackle specific challenges to improve “the quality of American life while understanding the issues and challenges the industry faces to deliver on this legacy.”
ACE Mentor – Chicago Team 7, which includes mentors from ESD, Epstein, Clune, and Valenti, worked with 30 students on the Humanitarian Center/Border Relief challenge. The team’s entry, “Desert Sanctuary,” was named 1st Runner Up for their prototype design to help improve the many factors impacting the health, safety, comfort, security, efficiency, and basic human needs of the multitude of people arriving at the border of the United States every day.
ESD Practice Leader and ACE Chicago Executive Board Member Andrew Lehrer stated, “I’m extremely proud of the work our students put into solving the very real problems faced by thousands of people seeking food, temporary housing, healthcare, and other support as they attempt to navigate the legal process to enter our country.”
Two other Chicago teams also won recognition. ACE Mentor – Chicago Team 11 was named a Worthy* National Finalist in the “School of the Future” challenge. The team’s entry, “Starlight School,” will be headed to Washington, D.C. in April for a final presentation round. ACE Mentor – Chicago Team 1 was recognized as 2nd Runner Up in the same challenge category for its entry, “K-Town Innovation Center – Chicago’s High School of the Future.”
Lehrer also noted, “The success of all three teams is a testament to the truly amazing talent we have here in Chicago.”
For many years, ESD has been raising money and hosting interns for the ACE Mentor Chicago program. This year, the ESD team consists of six engineers, led by Holly Pepper and Brian Gentile. The ACE Mentor Program of America, founded in 1994, is a free, award-winning, afterschool program designed to encourage high school students to pursue careers in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering industry, including skilled trades.
*The Worthy National Finalists are named in honor of the late Ed Worthy, a longstanding and influential leader in the ACE Mentor Program.
Andrew Lehrer lives the company’s mission to improve society through the built environment by giving back to the industry through programs like ACE.
To learn more about ESD, our people, and our commitment to society, visit our website.
