Engineering alumna Amanda Pietsch (BS 2007 mechanical engineering) has won the 2017 Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) Diversity Champion Award at an awards ceremony November 14 in Des Moines, IA.

Pietsch is a process pro for Deere & Company, Davenport, IA, and is currently working to provide process support and support change management of a Global IT program.  Since volunteering for her first "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" event, Pietsch has become involved in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) outreach and is the "Girl Day" committee lead for the John Deere Society of Women Engineers employee group. Through the committee, support is provided to John Deere locations across the enterprise to plan and execute "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" events at many locations. 

Pietsch is also the lead Year 2 mentor for the Explore Engineering Post 1175 at John Deere Davenport Works, working with high school students to further explore their engineering interests and prepare for college. She also volunteers for STEM events focused on introducing kids to STEM concepts through hands on activities.

Technology Association of Iowa winners were selected based on their professional experience, history of innovation, ability to think creatively and solve problems, and demonstration of leadership. 

Finalists from the University of Iowa College of Engineering included Fatima Toor, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, for research innovation and leadership; Kristine Bullock, Engineering alumna (BSE 2009 biomedical engineering), Southeast Iowa STEM regional manager, for STEM Champion; Sara Kaalberg, chemical engineering PhD candidate, for Collegian Innovation and Leadership; Sophia Mallaro, electrical engineering senior and undergraduate research assistant, also for Collegian Innovation and Leadership; and Engineering alumna Kim Beardsley (BSE 1990 industrial engineering), vice president, Worldwide Parts Services for Deere & Company, and College of Engineering Advisory Board member for Leadership Innovation.

The Technology Association of Iowa is a statewide, member-based organization uniting Iowa's technology community by connecting leaders, developing talent, driving public policy, and fostering diversity and inclusion. TAI's members work together to support the industry and advance Iowa's reputation as a technology state. The organization is a collection of technology leaders who have come together as Iowa’s statewide voice for technology.