#368 Community Champion – Engineering Matters Awards

我学到的是，真正的影响力并不总来自一次重大的突破。

What I've learned is that impact doesn't always come from one big breakthrough.

有时候，它来自持续的行动，这些行动慢慢改变了人们对自己和自身潜力的看法。

Sometimes it's from consistent actions that change how people see themselves and what they believe is possible.

知道我的工作激励了别人去追逐梦想，去尝试做更大、更重要的事，这对我来说，就是人生所能达到的最高成就。

Knowing that my work inspired someone else to go chase after their dreams and try to go on and do greater and bigger things, to me, that's the greatest measure of success that one could ever have.

所以我为非营利组织提供的一项关键帮助，就是让科技真正具有包容性。

So one of the key benefits which I aim to provide to nonprofits is technology should be inclusive.

科技不应该是障碍。

It should not be a barrier.

非营利组织手头其实有很多数据，但他们不知道怎么用，也不知道怎么让数据说话，从而了解服务对象的反馈和需求。

Nonprofits, they do have a lot of data, but they don't know how to use this data, how to make this data speak so that they can get insights about the feedback of their service, what they are providing to the people.

他们做的是高尚的事业，却无法运用这些前沿的数字技术。

Nonprofits, they are working for a noble cause, but they are not able to utilize these digital cutting edge technologies.

凭借我的理工背景，我的目标是确保无论组织大小，都能用上这些先进技术，获得数据洞察，讲出打动人心的故事，从而吸引捐赠、获得资金支持。

With my STEM expertise, my aim is to make sure irrespective of the nonprofit size, like small or big, I want them to utilize this cutting edge technologies, provide them the data insights so that they can create a compelling story and present it to the donors and get secured funds.

大家好，欢迎收听《工程之道》。

Hello, and welcome to Engineering Matters.

我是蒂姆·希恩。

I'm Tim Sheehan.

我是亚历克斯·科内克。

And I'm Alex Konecker.

在这一期

In this

《工程之道》节目中，我们要表彰两位荣获社区领袖奖铜奖的杰出人士。

Engineering Matters episode, we are recognizing two individuals who have walked away as well deserved bronze level winners in our Community Champion category.

提到工程，你可能马上想到那些看得见摸得着的成果。

Now when you think about engineering, your mind probably jumps to the tangible assets.

比如优化一条高产能的生产线，测序复杂的基因组，或者把新车身的风阻系数降低一点点。

We think about optimizing a high throughput assembly line, sequencing a complex genome, or shaving a fraction of a drag coefficient off a new chassis.

我们总是沉迷于参数、数据和设计图纸。

We get obsessed with the specs, the data, and the blueprints.

但今天，我们要暂时放下CAD图纸和实验台，聊聊另一种关键基础设施——那就是人的生态系统。

But today, we're stepping back from the CAD files and the lab benches to talk about a different kind of critical infrastructure, and that's the human ecosystem.

每个工厂、实验室和研发中心，都坐落在一个活生生的本地社区里。

Every factory, laboratory, and r and d center exists inside a living, breathing local community.

作为工程师和技术领导者，我们的影响不仅仅体现在交付的产品或申请的专利上。

As engineers and technology leaders, our impact isn't just measured by the products we ship or the patents we file.

更体现在我们留下的痕迹，以及我们帮助建立起来的本地社会。

It's measured by the footprint we leave behind and the local societies we help build up.

所以今天，在这个颁奖特辑里，我们要听听两位展现社区参与力量的人的故事。

So today, in our awards episode, we're hearing from two individuals who showcase the power of community engagement.

这个奖项认可的，正是那些通过项目或产品开发，为社区带来超越核心问题解决的广泛益处的努力。

And that is what this award recognizes, efforts made through the development of a project or product to bring about a wider community benefit beyond solving the primary problem.

德雷米尔·伍兹在位于阿拉巴马州林肯市的本田研发制造公司担任供应商质量工程师。

Dremere Woods serves as a supplier quality engineer at Honda Development and Manufacturing in Lincoln, Alabama.

在他的岗位上，他负责确保电子和机械零部件的供应商准备就绪与质量达标，支持本田和讴歌全球车型的顺利发布。

In his role, he ensures supplier readiness and part quality for electronic and mechanical components that support Honda and Acura vehicle launches worldwide.

所以我直接和供应商合作，解决他们的问题、优化流程、确认质量，确保每个零部件都达到客户的期望标准。

That means I work directly with our suppliers on problem solving, process improvement, and quality confirmation to make sure every part meets the standards our customers expect.

我还在田纳西大学诺克斯维尔分校的哈斯拉姆商学院攻读工商管理硕士，主攻数据驱动的决策方法。

I'm also pursuing my MBA at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Haslam College of Business, where I focus on data driven decision making.

这个项目让我能把技术专长和商业战略结合起来，帮助我在全球制造环境中更有效地领导团队。

This program allows me to merge technical expertise with business strategy, helping me lead more effectively in global manufacturing environments.

加入本田之前，我曾在通用电气航空、奥驰亚、企业出行和奔驰等多个公司实习或参加校企合作项目，积累了制造、供应链、销售、研发和创新等多个领域的经验。

Before joining Honda, I completed multiple internships and co ops with General Electric Aerospace, Altria, Enterprise Mobility and Mercedes Benz, gaining experience across manufacturing, supply chain, sales, research and development and innovation.

我还参与过多项达到专利水平的项目，推动的流程改进累计节省成本超过十万美元。工作之外，我积极参与社区活动和STEM教育推广。

Also contributed to patent level projects and cost saving process improvements exceeding over $100,000 Outside of work, I'm deeply involved in community and STEM engagement.

我支持像“伯明翰建造计划”和“中俄亥俄日美协会”这样的组织，这体现了我对文化、教育和青年发展的热情。

I support organizations such as Build Up Birmingham and Japan America Society of Central Ohio, reflecting my passion for culture, education, and youth empowerment.

总的来说，我把自己看作是工程、商业与社区影响之间的桥梁。

Overall, I see myself as a bridge between engineering and business and community impact.

一个致力于优化流程、赋能他人、不断学习的人。

Someone who's dedicated to improving processes, empowering people and continuously learning.

高拉夫·米塔尔目前在赛默飞世尔科技担任数据科学领域的IT经理，业余时间他积极参与基于技能的志愿服务。

Gaurav Mittal currently works with Thermo Fisher Scientific As IT manager for their data science domain and outside his professional commitments, he does a lot of skill based volunteering.

到目前为止，我已经为23家非营利组织分析过数据，并提供过洞察建议。

I have worked for 23 nonprofits till date analyzing their data and providing them insights.

我接触过多个数据领域，包括教育、青年赋能、移民数据和囚犯数据，还为学校和大学项目设计过宣传册、传单和网页。

I have worked on several data domains, including education, youth empowerment, immigration data, prisoner data, and I have also worked on brochure and flyer web designing for schools and college projects.

那么，像本田和赛默飞世尔这样的全球行业巨头，究竟是如何调整方向，来支持它们所在社区的呢？

But just how do global industry giants such as Honda and Thermo Scientific shift their gears to support the neighborhoods they operate in?

它们又是如何利用自身庞大的资源，激励下一代STEM人才的呢？

How do they leverage their massive resources to inspire the next generation of STEM talent?

为什么这种社会责任，对一家公司的长期成功而言，和任何产品路线图一样重要？

And why is this social responsibility just as vital to a company's long term success as any product roadmap?

对德雷米尔来说，这意味着通过工程教育和服务来赋能社区。

For Dremere, that means empowering communities through engineering education and service.

因此，在我担任本田开发与制造美国公司供应商质量工程师的过程中，我意识到，如果我们能更好地支持供应商，就能产生更广泛的社区影响。

So in my role as a Supplier Quality Engineer at Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, I realized that improving how we support suppliers could create a broader community impact.

所以我主导了提升多家供应商条码追溯能力和流程质量的工作，帮助稳定了生产，保护了当地就业岗位。

So I led efforts to strengthen barcode traceability and process quality across multiple suppliers, and this helped stabilize production and protect local jobs.

这项工作不仅提高了本田的效率，也巩固了那些依赖工厂生活的家庭和社区。

So that work not only improved efficiency for Honda, but also strengthened families and communities that depended on those plants.

在工厂之外，我希望同样的影响力能延伸到制造业以外的领域。

Outside the plant, I wanted the same impact to reach beyond manufacturing.

过去几年，我一直在全美支持超过150家非营利组织，包括YWCA中部阿拉巴马分部、NAACP，还有其他几家。

So over the past few years, I've been supporting over 150 non profits nationwide, ranging from YWCA Central Alabama, NAACP, and several others.

这些组织都专注于教育、包容性和可持续发展。

These are all focused on education, inclusion, and sustainability.

我还指导学生，在力所能及的范围内通过专业网络帮助他们，也鼓励那些被忽视的青少年去探索各种工程职业。

Also mentor students and assist them where I can through just professional networks and make sure I also encourage the underrepresented youth to explore, you know, different engineering careers as well.

这个项目之所以有创新性，在于它把技术卓越和公民责任紧密联系在了一起。

So what makes this project innovative is how it links technical excellence with civic responsibility.

我用在本田工作中那种数据驱动的思维，去判断我的社区行动能在哪些地方产生最大效益，无论是提升教育机会、增强环保意识，还是促进公平。

So I use that same data driven mindset I apply at Honda to identify where my community efforts can do the most good, whether that's improving learning access, environmental awareness or equity.

而且这个模式非常注重协作。

It also is highly collaborative.

我的工作需要协调供应商、内部团队和非营利组织之间的合作。

So my work involves coordination between suppliers, internal teams and nonprofit partners.

这个模式很容易推广到其他地区，因为通过工程理念赋能他人，是放之四海皆适用的。

The model can easily be scaled to other regions because empowering people through engineering principles is universally relevant.

简而言之，我的做法表明，工程学不仅仅是解决技术问题。

In short, my approach shows that engineering isn't just about solving technical problems.

它更是为了改善人们的生活。

It's about improving lives.

我把工作中做的事和社区里的行动连接起来，希望让工程成为推动持久改变的工具。

By connecting what I do at work to what I do for the community, I aim to make engineering a tool for lasting, change.

正如高拉夫在本集开头所说，谈到非营利组织时，技术应当是包容的。

As Gaurav explained in the opening of this episode, when it comes to nonprofits, technology should be inclusive.

技术不应该是障碍，这种理念贯穿了他大部分的工作。

It should not be a barrier, and that ethos underpins much of his work.

我想举个例子。

I would like to cite an example.

我之前和一家坦桑尼亚的非营利组织合作，他们帮助的是有精神健康污名问题的患者。

I was working with a Tanjania nonprofit, and this nonprofit was helping for stigma mental health problem patients.

后来他们开发了一个叫Ahadi的应用，用来为患者提供在线咨询。

Now they have created an app, Ahadi, and this app was utilized for providing consultation, to the patients.

但问题来了，虽然用户数量在增长，注册的人越来越多，留存率却很低。

Now the problem was the users, they were increasing with the app, their enrollment was more, but the retention rate was also quite low.

用户流失得特别快，他们一直搞不清楚原因。

The users, they were dropping at a very faster rate, and they were not able to figure out the reason for it.

根据他们的数据，我做了分析，发现偏远地区的用户流失，主要是因为网络不稳定，或者看不懂应用里的操作说明。

Based on their data, I have provided them the analysis that the people who are in the remote areas, they are dropping either because of Internet connectivity issue, or they are not able to understand the technical instructions which are being provided on the app.

这两点发现对他们帮助很大。

Both of these points, they were very helpful.

于是这家非营利组织开始通过电话回访用户。

For this nonprofit, they have started to have follow-up conversations over phone.

现在这家非营利组织在一个月内，用户留存率提升了百分之二十到三十。

And now this nonprofit, they have seen an increase in the retention rate by 20 to 30% within a month.

当技术结合了非营利组织的数据洞察，效果真的非常显著。

So when the technology is met with the nonprofit data insights, it is really helpful.

这正是我想推动的核心社区价值之一。

And that's one of the key community benefits which I want to provide.

技术应该起到平等的作用。

Technology should be an equalizer.

而不该成为障碍。

It should not be a barrier.

在他们的工作中，德雷米尔和高拉夫向我们表明，工程领域的问题从来都不是孤立存在的。

In their work, Dremere and Gaurav show us that when it comes to the world of engineering, technical problems never exist in a vacuum.

每一行代码、每一个优化的供应链，或是每一件制造出来的部件，最终都会与复杂的人类社会产生互动。

Every line of code, optimized supply chain, or manufactured component ultimately interfaces with a complex human ecosystem.

社区参与至关重要，因为它为工程项目提供了最真实的检验，弥合了冰冷的技术执行与实际社会影响之间的鸿沟。

Community engagement is critical because it serves as the ultimate reality check for engineering projects, bridging the gap between cold technical execution and meaningful real world impact.

我们的评委一致认为，Gaurav 个人已经做了大量工作。

According to our judges, it is clear that Gaurav has done a lot as an individual.

他非常理解非营利组织的需求，并帮助他们建立自主管理和分析数据的能力。

He understands nonprofit needs and builds capacity to self manage and analyse data.

在这里，他具体分享了自己是如何与更广泛的社区互动的。

And here, he explains just how he engages with the wider community.

在和非营利组织合作时，参与度和可持续性是非常关键的。

So engagement and sustainability, they are very important aspects when you are working with the nonprofit.

根据我与非营利组织合作的经验，我发现他们普遍面临两个问题。

With my experience with the nonprofit, what I have seen, there are two common problems what all nonprofits face.

一个是资金短缺，另一个是技术能力不足。

One is the funding, and the other is the technical skill.

所以每当启动一个项目，我都会和非营利组织深入沟通，全面了解他们的需求——包括技术和非技术方面的。

So when a project is started and I am syncing with the nonprofits on their needs, I thoroughly understand the requirements, technical as well as nontechnical.

而我这边的做法是，始终坚持使用开源工具或大家普遍在用的工具，比如 Microsoft Excel 或 Microsoft Word。

And what I do from my side is I always come up with open source tools and technologies or very widely used tools like Microsoft Excel or like Microsoft Word.

好处在于，那些本来就财务紧张的非营利组织，可以免费使用这些开源工具和技术。

The benefit of it is, like, the nonprofits who are already financially burdened, they with open source tools or technology.

我用的是 Python 语言写代码。

Like, I write the code in Python language.

这些代码都是公开可用的。

It's it's openly available.

非营利组织使用起来完全没有任何负担。

There is no burden on nonprofit to utilize it.

其次，在交付项目时，我一定会提供一步步的详细文档，说明清楚每一步该怎么操作。

Secondly, when I am about to deliver the project, I always make sure I am having step by step documentation with crystal clear instructions.

我还会做知识转移，把我的做法原原本本教给他们。

Also, I provide them the knowledge transfer, like what I am doing.

但我最看重的一点是，当非营利组织有了新数据时，我写的这套系统能持续发挥作用。

But the most important key point what I do here is I make sure when the new data will be available with the nonprofit, the framework, what I have written, it is sustainable.

也就是说，新数据进来后，系统会自动更新，他们根本不用手动干预，也不用去碰代码。

Means with the new data, it is getting automatically updated, and the nonprofits, they don't have to manually intervene or look into the code.

我的框架非常稳固。

My framework is so robust.

靠着同一个框架，我能帮助来自各大洲的非营利组织。

Like, with the same framework, I am able to help nonprofits across continents.

这项工作覆盖了坦桑尼亚、津巴布韦、印度，还有美国。

And that work spans Tanzania to Zimbabwe to India and to The USA.

我们的评审团指出，高拉夫正在产生切实影响，并且明显致力于让科技真正服务于人。

And our judges note that Gaurav is making a difference and is clearly committed to making technology work for people.

最终，社区参与重新定义了工程成功的衡量标准。

Ultimately, community engagement reframes the engineering success metric.

衡量标准。

Metric.

真正的卓越不仅仅是打造高效的机器或稳固的框架。

True excellence isn't just about building efficient machines or robust frameworks.

它还在于运用技术力量改善人们的生活，构建一个更具包容性的社会。

It is also about leveraging technical power to improve human lives and build a more inclusive society.

对于德雷米尔来说，他的目标是确保自己的工作真正为社区带来持久的益处。

For Dremere, his aim has been to ensure his work delivered a genuine and lasting community benefit.

为此，他特别注重与社区直接交流和认真倾听。

And to that end, he focuses heavily on direct engagement and listening.

我最初通过在本田的工作建立关系，经常与供应商和本地团队会面，了解他们的困难。

I started by building relationships through my role at Honda where I regularly met with suppliers and local teams to understand their challenges.

比如质量目标之类的实际问题。

Things like, you know, quality goals and things of that nature.

这些对话帮助我们优化了流程，不仅提升了制造成果，也保护了周边社区的人们。

So those conversations helped shape process improvements to not only focus manufacturing outcomes, but also protected those around in the area.

除了本职工作，我还通过志愿服务，支持了超过150家非营利组织。

Beyond my professional role, I engaged directly with the community by volunteering and supporting more than 150 nonprofit organizations.

我特别关注那些服务边缘群体的组织，就像我前面提到的那些，还有本地的教育项目。

I focus on groups that serve underrepresented communities like those I listed earlier and local education programs as well.

我还会指导学生，就像之前说的，尽量参与各种项目，去真正理解年轻人在工程领域成功所需的东西，以及我能怎样帮他们填补这些差距。

I also mentor students like I mentioned earlier and pretty much just make sure I'm a part of initiatives to better understand what young people need to succeed in engineering and how I can assist in bridging that gap.

所以我的做法中很重要的一点是倾听和协作。

So a big part of my approach is feedback and collaboration.

不管是和供应商、学生，还是社区领袖聊天，我都会花时间认真听，收集意见，然后调整方向。

Whether I'm talking with a supplier, a student, or a community leader, I make sure I take the time to listen, gather input, and adapt.

正是通过这种方式，我才明白哪些努力真正有效，比如关注教育公平，还有社区里大家真正希望的可持续发展项目。

That's how I've learned which efforts, you know, make the most impact, like focusing on equity in education and sustainability programs that people in my community ask for.

这种参与模式确保了我主导的每一个项目——无论是本田内部的供应商合作，还是外部支持本地青年的活动——都真正听从了社区的声音。

So this engagement model ensures that every project I lead, whether it's on the supplier side internally at Honda or, you know, supporting the local youth outside of Honda, is guided by those real community voices.

这样我才敢说，这些成果不只是纸面上的成功，而是真真切切地改变了人们的生活。

And that's how I make sure the outcomes aren't just successful on paper, but they're actually they're actually meaningful in people's lives.

评委们认为，从他的工作可以看出，德雷米尔是个充满热情且坚定投入的人。

Through his work, our judges say it's evidently clear that Dremere is a passionate and committed individual.

他善于把工作中的能力应用到更广泛的社区项目中。

He's someone that uses skills from his work to benefit wider community projects.

他的指导和社区 outreach 值得被大力肯定。

His mentorship and outreach is something that should be celebrated.

对德雷米尔来说，有一个特别的时刻，真正体现了他工作的影响力。

And for Dremere, this is one particular moment that has really captured the impact of his work.

有一个时刻让我深刻感受到自己工作的意义，那是在我跟一些年轻学生交流之后。

So one moment that really captured the impact of my work came after a session that I had with some younger students.

后来有个学生把我拉到一边，说：我不知道工程师也可以长得像你这样，或者做你这样的工作。

And a student pulled me aside afterward and he said, I didn't know engineers could look like you or what you do.

我以为这种工作只属于别人，离我很远。

I thought it was just for people somewhere else.

那次对话一直留在我心里，因为它让我明白，榜样的力量本身就足以带来改变。

And that conversation really stuck with me because it showed that visibility itself can be really transformative.

通过分享我在本田担任供应商质量工程师的经历，我向他们展示了工程不只是关于机器或工厂，更是关于解决实际问题，让人们的日常生活变得更好。

By sharing my experience as a supplier quality engineer at Honda, I was able to show how engineering isn't just about machines or factories, it's about solving problems that make life better for people and communities.

从那以后，那个学生取得了很好的发展，我也一直尽力和他保持联系。

Since then, that student has gone on to do really well and I try my best to make sure that I stay in touch with them as well.

这样的时刻总让我想起，为什么我要把自己的技术工作和社区服务联系在一起。

And moments like that remind me why I connect my technical work to community service.

当我加强供应商体系或提升制造质量时，实际上是在为本地保住更多工作机会。

When I strengthen supplier systems or improve manufacturing quality, it helps sustain jobs in my region.

当我支持那些专注于教育、公平和健康的非营利组织时，也在帮更多人打开同样的大门。

And when I support all those different non profits focused on education, equity, and health, it helps to expand those same opportunities to others.

我学到的是，影响力不总来自某个重大的突破。

What I've learned is that impact doesn't always come from one big breakthrough.

有时候，它来自持续的行动，慢慢改变人们对自己的看法，以及他们对可能性的想象。

Sometimes it's from consistent actions that change how people see themselves and what they believe is possible.

知道我的工作激励了别人去追逐梦想，去追求更大的目标，这对我来说，就是最大的成功。

Knowing that my work inspired someone else to go chase after their dreams and try to go on and do greater and bigger things, to me, that's the greatest measure of success that one could ever have.

祝贺德雷米尔·伍兹和高拉夫·米塔尔获得这份实至名归的荣誉，也感谢各位评委的付出和时间。

Well done to Dremere Woods and Gaurav Mittal for their well deserved accolades, and thanks also to our judges for their time and efforts.

今年的社区先锋类别，评委们决定不颁发任何银奖或金奖。

The judges decided not to award any entrants either a silver or gold level award in the Community Champion category this year.

接下来，我们将进入健康与安全类别。

Coming up next time, the health and safety category.

《工程有道》由Reebie Media制作。

Engineering Matters is a production of Reebie Media.

本集由我，蒂姆·希汉，撰写并主持。

This episode was written and hosted by me, Tim Sheehan.

我的联合主持人是亚历克斯·科尼卡。

My cohost was Alex Konika.

音频工程由罗斯·麦克弗森负责。

Sound engineering by Ross Macpherson.

系列监制由约翰·杨担任。

Series supervision by John Young.

我们所有工作的基石是罗里·哈里斯。

And our man who's the foundation of all that we do is Rory Harris.

再次感谢来自英国无国界工程师协会和机械工程师学会的评审们。

Thank you also once again to our judges from Engineers Without Borders UK and from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

感谢您的收听。

And thank you for listening.

你可以在所有播客平台、我们的网站 engineeringmatters.rebe.media，还有领英上找到《Engineering Matters》。

You can find engineering matters on all podcast apps on our website engineeringmatters.rebe.media and on LinkedIn.