Haneen Omar and Anuj Tiwari pose with Deba Dutta, DPI’s interim executive director, along with PTTL Director Mark Harris and Venkat Ventakrishnan, DPI’s director of research.
DPI awarded its first staff Service Excellence Awards to Haneen Omar, the corporate partnership coordinator for Pritzker Tech Talent Labs, and Anuj Tiwari, senior research associate in the R&D division.
The awards will be given each year to DPI staff members who best:
- Embody DPI’s values of innovation, inclusion, collaboration, agility, excellence, and impact
- Improve an aspect of DPI’s or one of its activities or processes
- Consistently deliver results that exceed expectations
- Demonstrate interest and ability to engage others to enhance collaborative excellence at DPI
- Engage in continuous self-improvement while also mentoring others
Haneen and Anuj were recognized at a DPI town hall meeting in September.
Haneen Omar
As one of the primary contacts for DPI’s corporate partners, Haneen builds trust with their technical and talent leaders, while also gaining valuable insight to enhance DPI’s Tech Apprenticeship program. She drives the matching process between apprentices and corporate partners, ensuring the right person for the job. Her efforts have led to eight new corporate partnerships in the last two years, representing $4 million for DPI apprentices.
Matthew Klein, DPI’s director of sales and talent programs, noted that one of DPI’s partners, Zebra Technologies, said the Tech Apprenticeship program was “not only as advertised, it is exceeding anything we expected.” He said this type of affirmation is an outgrowth of Haneen’s work to engage others.
“Collaboration is essential to enhancing the integrity of our program and developing talent,” Klein said. “Haneen understands all of this deeply, and her actions are the most powerful evidence.”
Anuj Tiwari
Anuj guided DPI’s Wastewater Surveillance System from a small experimental project to a multimillion-dollar statewide effort that informs state and local policy. He has since worked on projects including DPI’s Automated AI-ML Platform, which integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning into health research, and the ResourceRoute portal, which helps direct migrant communities in Chicago to local resources.
“Anuj’s work exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and his commitment to leveraging research for societal impact,” said Venkat Ventakrishnan, DPI’s director of research.
He has also mentored high school, college, and graduate students through DPI’s summer internship programs.
What they’re saying
“DPI’s success is directly proportional to our commitment to excellence,” said Deba Dutta, DPI’s interim executive director. “The Service Excellence Award winners have made extraordinary contributions, and their leadership and dedication inspire each of us.”
Author: Jeanie Chung