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Connect with ACS Leadership
Rigoberto Hernandez
President
Let’s advance leadership within our ranks together
Welcome to 2026 and the 150th anniversary of the American Chemical Society! Whether this is your first or fifty-first year on Council, this will be an exciting year. You belong here. You are needed here. As you start or continue your service on committees and Council, please look at what we do—and how we can do it better—to address the needs of the world, our members and you. Together, we will chart the course of the ACS for the next 150 years.
C&EN has launched our #ACS150 celebrations with a look back at our most consequential presidents. I encourage you to view the cover and see how many you can identify. I’ll give you a hint, though. You just might spot our first president, a once living chemical element, and even the first chemistry professor at Johns Hopkins in that group.
Each month of #ACS150 will feature a theme, beginning with January’s focus on leadership.
In my recent C&EN online Comment, I wrote about the importance of developing volunteer leaders and highlighted our ACS Leadership Institute that has been taking place annually in January. I hope many of you did or will participate.
Regardless of your attendance, please take a look at the Comment. Let me know what you think, and what we can do better to continue to advance leadership within our ranks together—ACS Together— through the transforming power of chemistry. You can reach out to me at acs-hernandez@jh.edu or @EveryWhereChem on social media.
Thanks for your service to our Society!
Christina (Chris) Bodurow
President-Elect
ACS at 150 – President-Elect Strategies for Growth
As ACS enters its 150th year, I am honored to join the presidential succession and contribute to the Society’s leadership. Together, we will navigate both challenges and opportunities as we advance the ACS mission. I am committed to drawing on my 40-plus years of experience with ACS, the pharmaceutical industry, and academia to strengthen and grow our organization.
At the start of my term, I am prioritizing the development of programming and services aligned with current ACS strategies to reinforce our scientific foundation and support organizational growth. Key focus areas include advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding industry engagement, and establishing a “Chemistry and the Arts” platform. Work is already underway in partnership with ACS leadership, staff, committees, and members, and I look forward to sharing our progress in the months ahead.
I hope to see you in Atlanta and remain connected throughout the year.
Dorothy J. Phillips
Immediate Past President
Let’s Connect!
My 2025 presidential year was filled with meaningful experiences—from presidential events and university visits, including ACS on Campus, and engaging with ACS members worldwide. Thank you for your support and participation.
Looking ahead, the 150th ACS Celebration, themed “Chemistry is Everything”, will be a major focus for ACS leaders in 2026, and I am excited to be a part of this celebration. ACS meetings have always been important to me because they offer something for everyone, and I look forward to joining you in Atlanta!
We made noteworthy progress last year on the workforce development initiative with an emphasis on the skilled technical workforce as a career option for high school graduates and aspiring chemists. This initiative is still a priority for me, along with mentoring students and promoting innovative and high-quality research from HBCUs at ACS meetings and events.
While in Atlanta, I would love to chat with you about these topics and more, especially your career plans as a chemist. You will find me at various events and networking opportunities, such as the Kavli Lectures, the open Board Meeting, just to name a few. Let’s connect!
Wayne E. Jones Jr.
Chair of the Board of Directors, and Director-At-Large
Celebrating 150 Years of ACS: A Future Built on Science and Leadership
As we mark the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary, we reflect on our legacy of advancing scientific knowledge and look forward to a future guided by our ACS Strategic Plan. We kicked off our 150th year with our sister societies at the Pacifichem meeting on December 15 and have started the year with many events worldwide, including a JACS 150th celebration in Zurich, Switzerland. These are wonderful opportunities to celebrate where we have been and our vision of a world built on science and our mission to advance scientific knowledge, empower a global community, and champion scientific integrity are operationalized through our strategic goals:
- elevate the reputation of science
- enhance community engagement
- empower scientists, and
- deliver innovative solutions.
Leadership has always been at the heart of ACS’s success. From volunteers to Board members, leaders at every level drive progress toward these goals. Our Leadership Institute (LI) exemplifies this commitment, bringing together hundreds of leaders from Local Sections, Divisions, committees, and International Chemical Sciences Chapters. During the last weekend in January, the LI will host diverse groups representing students, early-career professionals, and seasoned governance leaders, all united to strengthen ACS’s leadership pipeline.
ACS is a global community, and the Board has been working collaboratively with governance leaders and committees across the Society to include global representation on the Board and Council. In 2025, the Board welcomed David Wu as our first International District Director. This global perspective has broadened our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing chemists worldwide, enabling the Board to make more inclusive, forward-thinking decisions that strengthen ACS’s role as a truly global Society. I am excited to welcome our newly elected ACS Zone Councilors in 2026. This milestone reflects our dedication to fostering inclusive collaboration and is a credit to the many leaders who contributed their time, energy, and unwavering commitment to ensuring all members had a voice and a vote.
The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to science and scientists. Equally important is ensuring that we are an inclusive, welcoming community where everyone feels that they belong. As we celebrate this historic moment, we invite our entire community to join us in shaping the next 150 years.
Let us unite as a global community to improve all lives through the transforming power of chemistry.
Announcements
ACS Governing Documents January 1, 2026, edition
The January 1, 2026, edition of the ACS Governing Documents is available at acs.org/govdocs. Changes were made per the 2026 Schedule of Dues and Benefits and the following petitions: Petition to Amend the Name and Duties of the Committee on Patents and Related Matters, Petition to Amend the Number of Councilors on the Committee on Nominations and Elections, Petition to Establish the Committee on the Advancement of LGBTQ+ Chemists, Petition to Align the Committee on Publications, Petition to Amend the Name and Duties of the Committee on Public Relations and Communications, and Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on International Activities.
All Local Sections, Divisions, and International Chemical Sciences Chapters, if you have any questions or need assistance with updating your unit’s bylaws, please stop by the Committee on Constitution and Bylaws' (C&B) booth at the Resource Fair during the Leadership Institute.
C&B will have an open meeting in Atlanta on Sunday, March 22 from 1:30-2:00 p.m. ET; all are welcome to attend. Send an email to bylaws@acs.org for additional details.
Lastly, the petition deadline to amend the Constitution and/or Bylaws is May 6, 2026 (16 weeks before the August 26, 2026, Fall Council meeting).
Please contact C&B at bylaws@acs.org with any questions or if you need assistance.
ACS is Commemorating 150 Years of Scientific Excellence!
This year, ACS will reach a historic milestone: 150 years of advancing science and delivering value to the global scientific community! This anniversary marks more than just a number; it’s a celebration of the countless contributions made by our members, partners, and staff. As we celebrate this legacy, we’re rolling out exciting programs and initiatives designed to spark enthusiasm and deepen engagement across all the communities we serve. Each month, we will encourage engagement across the chemical enterprise with monthly pillars focused on leadership, integrity, interdisciplinary, sustainability, partnership, safety, celebration, innovation, lifelong learning, community, gratitude, and progress. This month, we’re celebrating “Leadership”, highlighting the diverse voices leading chemistry into the future through advancements in technology, AI, advocacy, education, and global collaboration.
View the ACS Anniversary Video and get involved to join the celebration. Host events, highlight members, and plan programs or activities aligned with the monthly pillars and Chemistry is Everything in your newsletters. Share pictures and videos on your social media channels celebrating with #ACS150. Share your story. Chemistry is everything – what does this mean to you? Submit your story here.
ACS150 Resources to help you plan your celebration are available here. Have questions or would you like more information? Please send an email to ACS150thAnniversary@acs.org. Let’s get ready to celebrate 150 years of progress around the world!
Honoring Volunteers Completing a Committee Term in 2025
We are delighted to announce that ACS President Rigoberto Hernandez and ACS Board Chair Wayne Jones have approved the committee appointments for 2026. Volunteers completing their service on ACS committees have received a thank you letter acknowledging their term end.
As we look back on 2025, we proudly recognize the dedicated committee volunteers who reached their statutory limit. Their leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment have strengthened our Society and advanced our shared mission.
Please join us in celebrating these outstanding volunteers and honoring the impact they have made.
Budget and Finance
Natalie LaFranzo
Chemical Safety
Daniel R.N. Jacques
Peter A. Reinhardt
Samuella (Sammye) B. Sigmann
Chemistry and Public Affairs
Emily A. Lewis O’Brien
Donald J. Wink
Chemists with Disabilities
Michelle R. Cummings
Maria T. Dulay
Pedro E. Flores Gallardo
Community Activities
Susan A. Hershberger
Cary A. Supalo
Committee on Committees (Elected)
Jason E. Ritchie
Constitution and Bylaws
Kathryn Lysko
James M. Postma
James D. Stickler
Council Policy Committee (Elected)
Mary K. Carroll
James C. Carver
Anne M. Gaffney
Divisional Activities
Jennifer A. Hollingsworth
Economic and Professional Affairs
Penny Beuning
Lawrence W. Dennis
Christine McInnis
Education
MaryKay Orgill
Environment and Sustainability
Jillian L. Goldfarb
Keisuke Ikehata
Ethics
Sushila Kanodia
Intellectual Property
Justin L. Krieger
Michael C. Pirrung
International Activities
Todd E. Pagano
Local Section Activities
Beth Lorsbach
Meetings & Expositions
Christine M. Aikens
Christian R. Goldsmith
Margaret Stowell Levenberg
Membership Affairs
David S. Gottfried
Sarah J. Leibowitz
Darlene K. Slattery
James Wollack
Minority Affairs
Julius Green
Juan Carlos Ramos
Nominations and Elections (Elected)
Michelle V. Buchanan
Alan B. Cooper
Nomenclature, Terminology and Symbols
Hayley Brown
Sharon L. Haynie
Professional Training
Nestor M. Carballeira
Barbara A. Reisner
Project SEED
Zachary S. Davis
Steven A. Fleming
Judith F. Rubinson
Publications
Frank D. Blum
Gregory N. Tew
Senior Chemists
Valerie J. Kuck
Women Chemists
Stephanie R. Hare
Lorena Tribe
Younger Chemists
Chris Miller
Thank you for your exceptional service, and warmest wishes for continued success.
Brian Mathes, Chair
ACS Committee on Committees
Call for Nominations
The Committee on Nominations and Elections invites nominations for candidates to stand for election to the following positions:
ACS Elected Committees
Council Policy Committee
Committee on Committees
Committee on Nominations and Elections
ACS Board of Directors
Director-at-Large
District Director, I-VI
District Director, International
President-Elect
Councilor Positions
Zone Councilor
ACS Spring 2026
March 22-26, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Collaborate. Innovate. Transform.
Access breakthrough science, career-boosting events, and a community that’s shaping the future of chemistry.
Highlighted Governance Meetings
Governance-related meetings with assigned date, time, and location, will be published on the ACS Governance meetings website.
Questions? Please contact secretary@acs.org
- Board Open Session & Priestley Medalist Address
Join us for the ACS Board Open Session and the prestigious Priestley Medalist Address on Sunday, March 22 at 4:00 p.m. ET in the Georgia World Congress Center.
- Spring Council
The Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25 at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET.
- New Councilor Orientation & Reception
ACS is delighted to welcome our newly elected Councilors and Alternate Councilors! To help you begin your leadership journey with confidence and community, we invite you to join us for the 2026 New Councilor Orientation Program—an essential kickoff to your ACS governance experience on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. ET at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta, GA.
During this interactive program, you’ll gain valuable insights into ACS governance, learn about committee structures, and receive guidance to help you excel in your new role. This session also offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow Councilors and ACS leaders who will support you throughout your service. Following the orientation, we hope you’ll stay for a special Networking Reception from 6:00–7:00 p.m. ET. This will be a great time to talk to Committee Chairs and caucus leaders—an ideal setting to build relationships and expand your ACS leadership network.
Enjoy remarks from distinguished ACS leaders, including ACS 2026 President Rigoberto Hernandez who will share insights as you step into your new governance role. If you are a newly elected Councilor or Alternate Councilor, please mark your calendar and respond no later than Friday, February 20 to let us know if you plan to attend. We can’t wait to welcome you and support your success in ACS leadership. RSVP Today!
- President-Elect Town Hall
Hosted by the Committee on Nominations and Elections
Join us for the President-Elect Town Hall on Sunday, March 22, from 2:30–3:30 p.m. ET. Hear directly from the President-Elect nominees as they share their vision and answer key questions from the community. The event will take place at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Grand Ballroom E.
Zone Councilors for 2026–2028
In 2025, constituents across ACS Zones 1–6 cast their votes to elect their Zone Councilors. Congratulations to this inaugural cohort of Zone Councilors!
Zone Councilors
- Zone 1:
Maria da Conceição Ferreira de Oliveira - Zone 2:
Stephen Eichhorn
Stefan Laufer - Zone 3:
Raluca-Ioana Stefan van Staden
Christoph Weder - Zone 4:
Joshua Obaleye - Zone 5:
Yanli Feng
Soumyajit Roy
Zhongyi Jiang - Zone 6:
Satomi Niwayama
Stephen Clarke
Hooi-Ling Lee
Committee & Program Announcements
- On Behalf of the Committee on Meetings and Expositions (M&E): Welcome
Varnika Roy, Chair
Committee on Meetings and Expositions
Join us in Atlanta from March 22-26 as we celebrate 150 years of ACS. Plan for Fall 2026 in Chicago – abstract submission opens in Jan 2026. Register.
- Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD) Spring 2026 Awards & Events
CWD will present two awards at ACS Spring 2026:
The Pat Redden Award for Making Chemistry Accessible for All (deadline January 30), sponsored by Merck Research Laboratories, will be presented to one individual at each ACS spring meeting, so please consider nominating a deserving candidate!
The CWD Student Travel Award, which is given at both ACS spring (January 30 deadline) and fall (June 15 deadline) meetings.
- The CWD Spring 2026 Open Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 21 from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET. All are welcome to attend. For meeting details, please contact cwd@acs.org.
- Women Chemists – Recognizing Excellence in Research, Leadership, and Service
Women chemists have made significant contributions to the field, demonstrating outstanding achievement in research, leadership, and service. Their innovative work continues to shape scientific discovery and inspire future generations. This spring, the Committee on Women Chemists (WCC) will host a series of events in Atlanta to honor and celebrate such trailblazers in the chemical enterprise.
On March 23, the Women in the Chemical Enterprise Networking Breakfast welcomes Maxine Cain, Founder & President of STEM Atlanta Women, as its featured speaker. Maxine will share her inspiring journey in chemical education, advocacy, and innovation. Later that afternoon, WCC will host the Women Chemists of Color Sweet Treats Event, featuring the winner of the 2026 ACS Award for Encouraging Women into Careers in the Chemical Sciences, Jean Tom, a distinguished pharmaceutical leader and Professor at Princeton University.
The honors continue March 24 with the WCC Luncheon, where Alissa Park, the Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean of the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science and recipient of the 2026 Garvan-Olin Medal, will deliver the keynote address. All of these events are set to take place at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta, GA during the ACS Spring 2026 meeting. The breakfast and luncheon are ticketed, and those interested can purchase tickets via ACS registration. For more information, please contact WCC@acs.org.
- Share Your ACS WCC Story
In 2027, we will mark the 100th anniversary of the ACS Committee on Women Chemists (WCC) with major celebrations. As part of this milestone, we are eager to showcase the impact that WCC has had on both the professional and personal lives of individuals within the chemistry community.
We invite you to share your story about how WCC has made a difference for you. Have you received an award that enabled you to travel to a meeting and present your research? Did you meet a mentor through WCC whose guidance changed your trajectory? Perhaps you found a connection that led you to a new job opportunity. Whatever your experience, we want to hear from you! Share your story here.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. Your experiences can inspire others and highlight the lasting influence of WCC. Please share this invitation, and encourage your colleagues to share their stories, helping us celebrate the many ways WCC has supported and empowered women chemists over the past century.
- Committee on Ethics Virtual Spring Open Meeting
The ACS Committee on Ethics (ETHX) Virtual Spring Open Meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 4:00–5:00 p.m. ET. All are welcome to attend. For meeting information, please register here, or send an email to ETHX@acs.org or l_rembertlang@acs.org.
- Committee on Ethics ChemLuminary Award – Call for Nominations: Deadline February 15
The ACS Committee on Ethics, ETHX, is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the ChemLuminary Award for Outstanding Local Section and/or International Chapter Programming Related to the Promotion of Ethics in Chemistry. This award recognizes innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming that advances ethical awareness, practice, and dialogue in the chemical enterprise. All ACS Local Sections and International Chemical Sciences Chapters are invited to self-nominate by the February 15 deadline. Eligible programming may include one-time or ongoing activities, such as webinars, panel discussions, poster sessions, workshops, presentations, and the like. Nominations should highlight creativity, relevance, and demonstrable impact. For further information and suggestions for ethics programming, see: acsethics.org/awards/.
- Committee on Ethics Celebrates 20 Years
The ACS Committee on Ethics is proud to celebrate 20 years of service. Visit our website to learn about and join us for special programming, events, and activities honoring this milestone throughout the year and our continued commitment to Empowering Trust, Honesty, and Integrity for Chemistry and Society (ETHICS).
- Workshop: Psychological Safety for All Levels
We're delighted to share this new offering for the ACS Spring 2026 Digital Meeting: Psychological Safety for All Levels. Join us on Thursday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET to learn best practices for fostering effective and inclusive teams. Please note that this session is available online only in the digital meeting platform.
- Now Open: Nominations for ACS Fellows
Nominations are now open for the ACS Fellows Program, one of the Society’s highest honors. The program recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions to the chemical sciences and demonstrated outstanding volunteer service to ACS. As Councilors and committee members, you are uniquely positioned to identify colleagues whose leadership, impact, and dedication have helped shape our community over many years. Becoming an ACS Fellow is a lifetime distinction, reserved for those whose service to science and to ACS truly stands out. Please consider submitting a nomination or sharing this opportunity with a deserving member in your network.
- Helen M. Free Award Submissions Open
Do you know an ACS member whose long-term volunteer work in public outreach, hands-on education, and/or science communication inspires you? Nominate them, or yourself, for the 2026 Helen M. Free Award for Public Outreach by February 15, 2026. A detailed description of the award can be found here. This award is sponsored by the ACS Committee on Communicating Chemistry (COMM, formerly CPRC).
- Celebrating the Advancement of Inclusion and Belonging with the Stanley C. Israel Regional Award
ACS is proud to recognize individuals and institutions who are advancing inclusion and belonging in the chemical sciences and positively contributing to their community.
What does the award include? This award consists of a $1,250 grant to support the activities for which the award was made and a reimbursement (up to $1,500) to cover the recipient’s travel expenses to the ACS regional meeting where the award will be presented.
Who is eligible? Nominees may include individuals or groups from academia, industry, government, independent entities, or ACS Local Sections and Divisions and must have created programs or activities that resulted in increased inclusion in chemistry. The nominee must live in the US ACS region where their preferred meeting is being held. Nominate someone today.
