Embracing the Power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Mekonnen Kassa, B.S. 1994 Mechanical Engineering
Principal Group Product Manager, Security, Microsoft
Mekonnen Kassa’s journey from a war-torn Ethiopia to becoming a global technology mentor is nothing short of remarkable. Displaced by civil war as a teen, Kassa spent time in a refugee camp and years as a refugee in Sudan. Resettling in Seattle through an American refugee assistance program, he enrolled in English as a second language courses at Shoreline Community College and worked as a taxi driver, where a conversation with a passenger sparked his interest in IT. Kassa transferred to the University of Washington, where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering while continuing to drive a cab on nights and weekends to support his family in Seattle and his mother and siblings in Ethiopia.
Today, Kassa is a Principal Group Product Manager in Microsoft’s Security organization, leading a global team of customer experience engineers. His team collaborates with enterprises, governments and institutions to deploy Microsoft Cloud security products, strengthen defenses and ensure compliance.
Drawing on his personal experience, Kassa is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in his work and personal life. At Microsoft, he mentors through the Black at Microsoft network and is building relationships between African universities and the tech industry to expand the global pipeline of workers of color. Currently, Kassa has a new role with Microsoft in Nairobi, where he mentors Microsoft employees in Africa and fosters connections across continents, developing strategies to adapt best practices for a changing world.
In the Seattle area, he has mentored high school students from underserved communities and, at the UW, has served on the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s external advisory board and as its DEI subcommittee chair, as well as speaking to graduating seniors and mentoring students through the department’s leadership seminar series. Kassa lives and breathes the values of DEI, working to ensure that others can achieve their educational and professional dreams.
Creating a Healthier and More Just World
Gabriel P. López, Ph.D. 1991 Chemical Engineering
Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico
Gabriel P. López is a visionary leader in engineering, education and public advocacy, dedicated to addressing health disparities and environmental justice through technological innovation. Currently a distinguished professor and interim chair in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of New Mexico (UNM), López has spent decades pioneering biomedical technologies and educational programs that empower underserved communities.
After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Washington, López joined UNM in 1993 and became the founding director of its Center for Biomedical Engineering in 2005, leading the establishment of the state’s first biomedical engineering graduate program. In his research, López develops low-cost, accessible technologies to address health and environmental challenges, including paper-based microfluidics for rapid diagnostics in resource-limited settings. Working in collaboration with Native American communities, he is developing biosensors to detect heavy metal contamination in water near abandoned uranium mines in New Mexico and Arizona, blending technology with outreach to ensure safe water access while engaging students in science and engineering.
López has spearheaded educational initiatives that incorporate bioethics, inclusion and sustainability. His development of New Mexico’s first synthetic biology curriculum emphasizes the ethical and societal implications of engineering, aligning education with principles of justice and equity.
López has served on the faculty of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, as founding director of the National Science Foundation’s Research Triangle Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (RT-MRSEC), as UNM’s vice president for research, and is a member of the National Academy of Inventors. In 2024, he was awarded one of the inaugural NSF Trailblazer Engineering Impact Awards, recognized as one of six honorees for his wildfire-related research. With more than 40 patents, nearly 250 publications, and a lasting commitment to community-driven engineering, he exemplifies the transformative power of science to create a healthier, more equitable world. His work continues to inspire and impact communities locally, nationally and globally.
Translating Innovation into Impact
Paul Mikesell, B.S. 1996 Computer Science
Founder and CEO, Carbon Robotics
Nowadays, instead of opening a cookbook or reading an instruction manual, we turn to streaming video to learn new skills, find information or simply be entertained. These videos are made accessible thanks in large part to Paul Mikesell, who developed scalable, reliable and low-cost media storage that supports modern video streaming. Today, he’s applying those same innovative principles to revolutionize how food is grown.
After graduating from the University of Washington with a B.S. in computer science, Mikesell joined RealNetworks. Recognizing the growing storage demands of audio and video streaming, he co-founded Isilon Systems to develop large-scale, distributed storage systems. The company was acquired by EMC for $2.5 billion in 2010. Building on this success, Mikesell co-founded Clustrix, a scalable transaction database startup, which was acquired in 2018. His career then took him to Uber and Meta, where he worked on virtual reality technology at Oculus. Inspired by breakthroughs in AI and computer vision, Mikesell launched his latest venture, Carbon Robotics, which focuses on improving the efficiency and safety of farm yields.
Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder uses robotics, AI and computer vision to kill weeds without the need for manual labor or herbicides. With more than $200 million in venture capital and a profitable business model, Carbon Robotics is setting new standards for agricultural innovation. Across his endeavors, Mikesell has consistently identified market needs and delivered groundbreaking solutions, leaving a lasting impact on technology and our daily lives.
Dean’s Award
Donna M. Sakson, B.S. 1982 Technical Communication (HCDE)
President, S&A Mosaic, Inc.
Just three years after graduating from the University of Washington, Donna Sakson founded Sakson & Taylor, Inc., a technical communications firm with a mission to connect people, information and jobs. Initially specializing in technical and product documentation, information design analysis, website usability and development, the company grew to become one of the largest information design and specialized talent placement companies in the nation and was recognized three times ( ’99, ’00, ’01) by Working Woman magazine as one of the Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses. In 2006, Sakson sold the company to Aquent.
Leveraging her business success to make a difference, Sakson has demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropy and service, both at the UW and in the broader community. As a student, Sakson benefitted from scholarships that played a pivotal role in her education and career. Inspired by their impact, she and her late husband Jonathan Mark established two endowed scholarships to support underrepresented and financially challenged students in what is now the UW Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE).
At the UW, she currently serves on the UW Foundation Board and as a member of the Executive Committee of the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board; she previously served as chair of the Advisory Board as well as serving on the 2008 Campaign Committee. In these roles, her strategic counsel to the College of Engineering Deans over almost two decades has been invaluable. Beyond the university, her contributions extend to organizations such as United Way of King County, TeenFeed, BikeWorks, and the American Red Cross. Sakson was honored with the HCDE Distinguished Alumna award in 1999 and the Diamond Award for Distinguished Service in 2008.