Dr. Helen Sanders Steps into the Role of FTI President for 2017

Dr. Helen Sanders has donned the mantle of leadership as President of the Facade Tectonics Institute. Dr. Sanders replaces Mic Patterson, the Institute’s inaugural President since its founding in 2015. The presidency is a rotating position with a single year posting. She was also named to the Institute’s College of Fellows in 2016.

Dr. Sanders assumes the leadership position at a formative point in the Institute’s infancy. “Helen is quite literally an industry mover and shaker,” remarked Patterson. “We are all very excited to have her guiding influence as we lay the early foundations of the Institute.” Helen is an active member of several industry organizations, serving on the board of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) and as chair of IGMA’s emerging technologies and innovation committee and the Glazing Industry Code Committee.

Dr. Sanders expressed enthusiasm at the role she will play over the year, “The work of the Institute is critical in bridging siloed dialogues in the construction industry, and in catalyzing key research initiatives to promote comfort, sustainability and resilience in buildings and urban habitat. It is a great honor to engage with the Institute’s leadership in pursuit of these objectives.”

A frequent speaker at industry events, Helen has participated in the AIA National Convention, LightFair International, BuildingsNY, West Coast Energy Management Conference, Facade Tectonics, Glass Performance Days, BEST Conferences, Glass Build America, Ecobuild UK, Facades+, and GlassCon Global. Recently, she was named one of USGlass Magazine’s Top 100 Influencers as one of the individuals “who are leading their peers in new directions” and “changing the whole equation of how we look at the industry.”

Helen has 22 years’ experience in the glass industry and over 17 years’ experience in dynamic glass technology and insulating glass fabrication. She has a M.A. in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) and Ph.D. in Surface Science from the University of Cambridge, England.

Currently, she is responsible for strategic business development at Technoform, the leader in thermal break solutions for fenestration systems. Her role involves driving market development, new and existing product development, developing strategic relationships and influencing the regulatory environment with the goal of moving the market towards higher performing facades.

The Institute’s Managing Director, Professor Douglas Noble, spoke appreciatively of Dr. Sanders involvement at FTI, “Helen understands the importance of the facade in buildings and urban habitat. She shares the vision of FTI, and brings a broad perspective of experience and expertise to our endeavors. Our mission of shaping a sustainable built environment will be greatly accelerated through Helen’s participation.”