CAS Future Leaders testimonials

"It was an incredible honor to be selected to participate in this program. Among the few other professional development events that I have attended, I must say that the CAS Future Leaders is the best-organized event that I have had the honor of attending. What I also appreciate is that the organizers are very good at selecting participants: Not only are the other participants highly accomplished as scientists, they are also very kind, welcoming, and highly supportive of each other."

"The program exceeded all my expectations by providing a rich and engaging experience that combined expert-led sessions, interactive activities, and valuable networking opportunities. The content was relevant, thoughtfully curated, and delivered in a way that was both inspiring and practical. The program truly empowered CAS Future Leaders to grow professionally and personally, fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration."

"I’m truly grateful to be part of the 2025 CAS Future Leaders program! This journey has already given me the chance to learn so much and connect with inspiring and extraordinary people from around the world."

"The programme was absolutely fantastic. I was not entirely sure what to expect coming in, but it exceeded all my expectations - I had an incredible amount of fun and learned a lot. All the sessions and workshops were very well selected and run. I really appreciated particularly the interactive workshops and visiting the CAS infrastructure, but also learning more about CAS and CAS SciFinder."

"The whole program was above excellent. I would like to thank once again for the amazing organization of this program. It is definitely useful for the career development and meeting like minded people in the same career stage. The assembly of the group was also amazing as we managed to get along very well."

"This program was truly my favorite professional development program of the ones I’ve done. The community building we accomplished was absolutely magical! It also helped me to learn more about my unique strengths as a leader and how I can lean into them in my current & future positions. I can’t thank you all enough & I can’t recommend this program enough!!"

"Best thing I ever did professionally. I thank you so much for the opportunity because it truly was life-changing. I haven't felt so inspired in years. You brought together such a fantastic group of people, I feel very privileged to now call them friends. I felt like a VIP for two weeks, and it was a wonderful thing to feel so prestigious and well respected - especially at ACS Fall!"

"These have been the 2 best weeks in my graduate school experience. We've been able to create new friendships, connections, collaborations, and have gained insights into becoming inclusive leaders. Thank you for this life-changing opportunity, I couldn't recommend this program enough."

"While I learned a lot about innovation and science communication, I also made many new friends from around the world. The CAS Future Leaders program provided a great platform of exchange that I have never experienced before."

"The CAS Future Leaders program exceeded my expectations in every way. The program made me feel valued and boosted my confidence. I enjoyed the relationships I made during the program and am so excited to see them grow. It was truly a remarkable program."

"The CAS Future Leaders program is an experience that empowers emerging scientists across the globe by valuing different experiences and backgrounds. It’s unlike any other event I have participated in."

"Now, looking back, it's hard to believe that I thought I was bonkers for applying. Networking may be 9-to-5, but the chemistry of CAS Future Leaders is for real."

"Participating in the CAS Future Leaders program taught me the importance of being intentional with my leadership across various platforms. In the weeks that I spent in the program, it provided me with versatile tools to grow and become an impactful leader. It was truly a transformative experience."

"We tap into each other’s diverse chemical backgrounds, support each other’s unique endeavors, and celebrate successes, both in the lab and out."

"You will start the intense training with a broad range of chemists and chemical engineers from all over the world, learning all the skills needed to become a future leader, from storytelling to policy to the use of social media. You will end the program as family, with all the skills needed to lead by example."

"I have always enjoyed visiting companies and experiencing what they do behind the scenes to make things possible. What I appreciate the most about visiting the Columbus office is how transparent its staff are in sharing about their work, thoughts, and future directions of the company."

"Beyond learning life lessons and skills from top leaders in the chemical industry, participating in Future Leaders gave me the opportunity to connect with inspiring scientists from all over the world, creating strong friendships with remarkable individuals who continue to be a source of support and motivation long after finishing the program."