Linda Kaplan has taken on the role of Chair for the SEI Futures Fund, bringing with her extensive experience and a deep commitment to advancing structural engineering. Having first connected with the Futures Fund as a scholarship recipient, Kaplan experienced firsthand how the fund can transform careers and empower the next generation of leaders. Several members of her scholarship class, including Kaplan herself, have since ascended to board-level positions within SEI, underscoring the program's profound and lasting impact.
Under Kaplan’s leadership, the Futures Fund is expanding its reach, thanks to successful partnerships like the significant matching donation from CSI and Ashraf Habibullah. Kaplan is now championing additional opportunities, encouraging both individuals and companies to contribute. Smaller personal or corporate matches, she emphasizes, can create a ripple effect, multiplying contributions and enabling the fund to provide more scholarships and support new initiatives. “Every dollar donated helps build the foundation for the future of our industry,” she notes, pointing to the direct benefits of funding educational opportunities and outreach programs.
For aspiring engineers, applying for the Futures Fund offers unparalleled benefits. Scholarships provide financial support, professional growth opportunities, and a pathway to engage with SEI’s robust network of industry leaders and peers. For donors, contributions to the Futures Fund do more than help individual scholars—they bolster the profession as a whole by fostering innovation, public awareness, and a stronger pipeline of future engineers. Kaplan also highlights the long-term societal impact: “Supporting the Futures Fund isn’t just about creating engineers; it’s about educating the public on the importance of infrastructure and ensuring that we have the leadership to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
Now is the time to invest in the future of structural engineering. Whether through a personal donation, corporate match, or spreading awareness, every contribution makes a difference. Visit the SEI Futures Fund website to learn more about how to apply or donate and join Kaplan and her team in shaping the future of engineering. Together, we can ensure that the profession thrives for generations to come.