On May 12th, Judy gave the Opening Keynote at Biopolymers 2014 -- a Symposium bringing together key innovators in the bioplastic and biopolymers industry organized by Smithers Rapra -- entitled "Biopolymers and Plastics: Expectations and Reality." 

The promise of transforming traditional petroleum based value streams for polymers and plastics to biobased ones has seen its fits and starts. Larger investments in the first decade of the 21st century are declining and the specter of new, abundant and cheap hydrocarbon sources looms large on the horizon. How will biobased systems compete on the three key parameters for success: cost, performance and scale? And will the results be enough to transform expectations to reality?

Judy Giordan spoke with Hannah Yates, Research Analyst at Green Power Conferences, about some of the key questions to think about on important developments in bio-based materials.  Judy will be a presenter at the upcoming World Bio Markets USA meeting in San Francisco, October 29-30, 2013, in the "Bio-based vs. Petroleum: Competing on Price, Performance and Quality" symposium during the conference.

Check out Judy's podcast to hear her thoughts on 4 key questions:

1. What do you think has been the most important development of the past 12 months?
2. Strategic partnerships are being announced nearly every week – what do you see as the key factors for integrating bio-based chemicals and materials into an existing company’s supply chain?
3. What are some key points new star-up ventures need to know when approaching a potential strategic partner?
4. What do you think will be the biggest topic of conversation at WBM USA 2013?

Judy Giordan was the featured speaker in the 2013 International Conference on Applied Mathematics, Modeling and Computational Science (AMMCS-2013) special session on Women in Mathematics on August 29, 2013. She kicked off the session with her presentation "The power of diversity: women's leadership in STEM fields. The role of innovators and innovation."

Judy focuses on why developing women innovators and enhancing diversity is key to bringing about the innovations that the world needs. She encourages women to embrace their potential and to succeed and to rely on one another to help everyone move ahead.

Download her slides here, and read the press release from Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo campus in Ontario, Canada, where the AMMCS-2013 conference was held. 

ACS Webinar, May 3, 2012. Judy Giordan moderates, Joseph Steig as speaker. "The market and need for biobased materials for everything from chemical feedstock to full composite reinforcement material is growing every day! How is this supply chain defined? What are the forces governing it? And what are the challenges facing those technologies that need to scale using biobased materials? Find out the answers from our speakers Sharon Feng, Bayer Material Science and Joseph Steig, Natural Composites, Inc."

*The recording of this webinar is no longer available online

The NCIIA in conjunction with ecosVC released video series discussing how understanding customers' needs is essential for innovators and entrepreneurs.  Seven experts share their thoughts on how to understand customers' needs and how to go about meeting them.

Judy Giordan, Partner ecosVC and Senior Advisor to the NCIIA, explains that viewing research through the lens of the market in addition to the lens of pure research can truly spur innovation and be a benefit to the innovators, the economy and the world.

This video series was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, grant CHE #0920877.

The Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry (CSMC) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase II Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI) that transitioned from a Phase I CCI in October 2011 (award # 1102637).  Judy and Joseph work with the CSMC to deliver workshops for the students.  Joseph moderated the electronic and electro-optical films panel, a key focus of the science at the CSMC.

The Center for Sustainable Materials Chemistry (CSMC) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase II Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI) that transitioned from a Phase I CCI in October 2011 (award # 1102637).  Judy and Joseph work with the CSMC to deliver workshops for the students.  Judy moderated the functional coatings and materials panel, a key focus of the science at the CSMC.

ACS Webinar, July 21, 2011.  Judy Giordan moderates. "Many businesses fail because they are late to recognize key changes in the technology and market landscape. How can you make sure your business, products, and services remain relevant to your customers? Join our speakers Pamela Roach and Elaine Harris, of Breakthrough Marketing Technology, as they share tangible strategies that can help you stay competitive and grow your business!"

*The recording of this webinar is no longer available online

Judy shares her thoughts on women in science, engineering, and business in an Angel Resource Institute blog post on July 21, 2011.  In "Women and the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Diversification Leads to More and Better Deals" Judy discusses why having women involved in entrepreneurial ventures, either as innovators or as investors, is critical to the future.   The large global issues of sustainability, energy, and food production "...they are going to be solved by systems thinking from women and men," Judy said.  "A more diverse, highly trained set of opinions gets you a better set of answers."

Judy discusses some of the challenges she had to overcome throughout her career - from being rejected from graduate schools because she didn't have enough of a chemistry background (despite graduating third in her class), to her experiences as a woman in a traditionally male dominated company.

Judy then goes briefly into her vision of the big issues facing the chemical industry in the future.

Finally, Judy explains her focus on helping university entrepreneurs - both students and faculty - translate their research into innovations that can help the planet and help those who do not have a voice.

Judy discusses her 2007 NSF study on the factors that affect the success of women in the chemical industry. Learn what role mentors play in the success of women, how the confidence levels of women correlate to their success, and the lens through which managers perceive issues brought up by female employees. The bottom line - there is a business case for building diversity and inclusion into any company.

Judy then discusses her life, how she got interested in chemistry, the role her supportive mother played in helping her succeed, and more about some of the mentors that helped shape her career.

Judy Giordan's article "Why it has to be women" was published in the Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Magazine in the January/February 2010 issue. In the article Judy highlights data on how companies that include women in senior positions tend to do better than those that do not - there are tangible effects. Judy asserts that qualified women do exist for senior management positions, and companies need to acknowledge that this is the case "... this is not a zero-sum game in which every position taken by a woman is one lost by a male, but rather that corporate growth and viability is a tide that raises all boats and creates greater value and opportunity for all."