I’m an avid seeker of art in all forms, across all mediums. So, yeah, I’ve seen a lot of it in my day. Do I find beauty in all of it? Quite honestly, no. I think a lot of it is pretty blah. But, there’s one installment I’ll never forget. I mean, there are quite a few, but I’m going to tell you about one in particular.

A few years ago, I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. On the floor of one of the exhibits sat a large, white, undulating ouroboros. The peaks of the snake’s body were flattened to create seats, all of which were taken by a set of VR glasses. I like snakes and art, I just wasn’t really interested for some reason. But, my friend Jasmine ran over, put the glasses on, and said, “Whoa! Come check this out!”

The snake was speaking his thoughts out loud. Or, at least I think that’s what was happening. Anyway, as I was listening to the snake and falling through his mind, it happened ... the moment I’ll never forget, the thought that connected us forever.

“I hate it when people ask me what I’ll be doing in five years.”

When the snake spoke those 14 words, the art installment on the floor transformed into a masterpiece in my mind. Why? Because I hate it too. I bring this up here, now, because it’s that time of year when people start asking about New Year’s resolutions — another question I hate because I’ve never really had one. A resolution is a firm decision to either do or not do something, and I don’t know what the future outside of my control has in store. So, rather than boxing myself into the situations I decide will happen, I like to open myself up to the opportunities that knock. You see, five years ago, I didn’t think I’d be editor of a magazine any time soon. And, I never thought I’d actually be a student at New York University even though I’ve spent a lot of time imagining it. But, here I am today — editor-in-chief of two magazines, earning my master’s degree from NYU.

So, what do I resolve to do in 2024? I have no clue. But, whatever it is, I want it to be transformative. In terms of my professional life, I hope that means being part of a more diverse industry, and I have no reason to think it won’t. Engineered Systems started on this journey in 2019 when a team of forward-thinking men (editor, director, and publisher) introduced the inaugural 20 to Watch: Women in HVAC contest. But, the transformation continues. It was recently brought to my attention that I’m the first female editor of Engineered Systems in more than 20 years.

And, that’s why it’s such an honor for me to introduce this year’s winners (see Page 8) alongside the new(ish) publisher, Sarah Harding, and (still) director, Kyle Gargaro.

“It’s an incredible feeling to not only witness the industry transform but also be a part of it,” Harding said. “The winners are the future, and their stories are a window to what it will look like.”