Lessons in Driving Innovation
Hani Hapsari (MEM '25) shares the highlights of her experience at MEM Industry Night, where she interacted with students, alumni, and industry leaders looking to make a difference in the world.
Hani Hapsari (MEM '25) isn't comfortable with the status quo.
She is always looking for opportunities to learn something new in order to create a greater impact. That is why she turned to Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program, and it's why she recently attended the program's Industry Night.
The 11th annual event featured networking opportunities and a keynote conversation with Shapour Arami, chairman and CEO of SAI Advanced Power Solutions.
"Growth is inherently uncomfortable, and learning something new will always come with challenges," Hapsari said. "Shapour’s journey — from leading Fortune 500 transformations to spearheading AI-driven advancements at SAI Advanced Power Solutions — highlighted that pushing boundaries and adapting to change are crucial for long-term success. His perspective reinforced the value of resilience and continuous learning in an ever-evolving business landscape."
Arami discussed how SAI transformed its supply chain and operations in the past five years to give it a competitive advantage to customers and strategic partners.
Hapsari hoped to learn how companies are utilizing AI to drive business innovation. Arami's talk did not disappoint.
"Shapour’s passion and confidence in leveraging AI to drive business growth were truly inspiring," she said. "His enthusiasm for innovation, shaped by decades of experience in corporate transformations and large-scale operational shifts, was contagious and reinforced the importance of embracing change."
Arami wasn't the only person talking about change at Industry Night. Hapsari connected with alumni in attendance and heard from her classmates about their own innovations and research projects to drive growth and impact.
The conversations she had reinforced the lessons Hapsari is learning in the MEM program.
Hapsari credited her Engineering Management and Organizing for Innovation courses with helping her better understand how to synthesize complex information, connect dots, and focus on key matters in decision making. Decision Tools for Managers showed her how to make data-driven decisions, while Product Management gave her a structured approach to understanding consumer needs.
Hapsari was impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit at the event, both from student innovators and industry attendees she spoke with.
The night reinforced the importance of seeing challenges as opportunities. It's a lesson Hapsari believes will help shape her approach to problem solving and decision making moving forward.
"Events like this provide students with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights from their experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions," she said. "Most importantly, these interactions help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry applications, ensuring that what we study remains relevant and impactful in today’s evolving job market."
