Four alumni honored at 2025 Fulton Schools Hall of Fame

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University celebrated four exceptional alumni during the 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, Nov. 14, honoring their remarkable contributions to engineering, leadership and society.

Held during ASU’s Homecoming week, the annual Hall of Fame event recognizes engineering alumni and champions who have demonstrated excellence in their professions and advanced the Fulton Schools’ mission through innovation, integrity and impact.

The event serves as an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary and unexpected professional journeys of some of the Fulton Schools’ most distinguished alumni who have reached the heights of their respective industries.

Fulton Schools Dean and ASU Senior Vice Provost of Engineering, Computing and Technology Kyle Squires noted in the opening ceremony that each inductee charted a remarkable path amid rapidly evolving industries.

“Each of our honorees faced moments when the next step wasn’t obvious,” Squires said. “But it was in those moments, they chose to move forward. They trusted what they’d learned, their preparation and instincts, and their values. They chose to bet on themselves. Those choices shaped who they became and the impact they’ve made.”

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees exemplify the will and courage required to forge their own paths. From ASU classrooms to global influence in construction, venture capital, public leadership and higher education, these inductees honor the tenacity required to create impact in an ever-evolving world.

Jeff Ehret

Jeff Ehret
’76 BS in construction
’79 MBA

Known for his steady leadership, Jeff Ehret co-founded The PENTA Building Group, which has grown into one of the nation’s leading commercial contractors with more than 400 employees and revenues projected to exceed $2 billion in 2025.

His projects include many of the country’s most recognizable landmarks, from the SAP Center in San Jose in California and Chase Field in Phoenix to Harry Reid International Airport’s Terminal D and the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Beyond his professional achievements, Ehret has given back to ASU as a mentor, donor and supporter of the Del E. Webb School of Construction in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, part of the Fulton Schools. His support has helped expand its programs and fund scholarships for future builders.

“My time at ASU was nothing short of sensational,” Ehret says. “I was enrolled in the construction program back in 1972, and the program exceeded my expectations in every way. I got a great technical background, though I think what really shaped me was all the group projects and direct interactions with professors. I learned that everything is a ‘people business,’ and I took that with me throughout my entire career.”

Vani Kola

Vani Kola
’87 MS in electrical engineering

Vani Kola has built a global reputation as one of India’s most influential venture capital leaders. After a successful career in Silicon Valley, Kola returned to India to start Kalaari Capital, now among the nation’s top venture firms.

“Being included in the Hall of Fame feels like an opportunity to return somewhere that feels like home and know I’ve made those proud,” Kola says.

Through her leadership, she has guided and invested in startups such as Myntra and Dream11, helping transform India’s digital economy. Known for her clarity of vision and focus on purpose, Kola supports innovation that creates opportunity and delivers value beyond profit.

“My time at ASU taught me to be generous with knowledge, information and encouragement,” Kola says. “It was great to be in a multicultural environment, where people have different backgrounds and ideas. It expanded my world and range of thinking, which was a true gift.”

His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori

His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori
’88 BSE in industrial engineering

His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori has applied industrial engineering principles on a national scale. As the Minister of Economy for the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2020, he helped guide the country’s transition from an oil-based economy to a global hub for trade, aviation and innovation.

“I’m very honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at ASU,” Al Mansoori says. “I’ve received many international awards, but this one is special because it’s really where everything started. It gave me the energy, understanding and ability to go beyond what I could do.”

Respected for his gracious leadership and data-driven approach, Al Mansoori has strengthened the UAE’s international partnerships with nations across Asia, the Americas and beyond. His career exemplifies how systems thinking and technical training can shape economies and improve lives worldwide.

“There are no borders or limits for innovation,” Al Mansoori says. “For the new generation of engineers, they can reach any corner of the world to get new expertise. My best advice for students is to have confidence in themselves and to cultivate relationships, as confidence and community will be great assets throughout their lives.”

Harriet Nembhard

Harriet Nembhard
’90 BSE in industrial engineering

Harriet Nembhard has built a career at the intersection of engineering, health care and education. Currently serving as president of Harvey Mudd College, she is redefining how engineers are prepared to think critically and lead with compassion.

“ASU was very formative in shaping who I am today,” Nembhard says. “My time at ASU taught me the formal vocabulary for things I was always curious about, and I met faculty members who fostered that curiosity.”

Before her presidency, Nembhard served as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa and developed pioneering research in health systems engineering, including innovations in quality improvement, process design and early disease detection. A fellow of three professional societies and holder of multiple patents, she exemplifies leadership that unites technical excellence with human-centered purpose.

“It’s been so admirable to watch the way ASU has played such a tremendous leadership role in the future of engineering and higher education,” Nembhard says. “Engineering is fundamentally about developing the systems that help people and our planet thrive. Anywhere there’s a grand challenge, you see ASU showing up. The university’s charter and commitment to student success are inspiring.”

Celebrating courage, purpose and lifelong connection

Squires noted that adding new inductees to the Hall of Fame isn’t just to commemorate them but also to honor the past, present and future members of the Fulton Schools community.

“The value of higher education doesn’t live in theory or inside of a secret book somewhere deep in the library,” Squires says. “You see it in the lives of people like these who take what they’ve learned and use it to open doors for others.”

The 2025 Hall of Fame inductees embody the Fulton Schools’ enduring belief that engineering is about shaping the future with courage and purpose.

The celebration concluded with a reception where guests, faculty and students met the honorees, a fitting close to an evening that reminded the community what it means to invest in yourself and build pathways that make a lasting impact.

“That’s what we mean when we talk about betting on yourself,” Squires said. “It isn’t luck and it isn’t ego. It’s confidence built through preparation and by the people and places that helped you understand who you are. That’s what the Fulton Schools helped build with each of our honorees. And it’s what we work to give every student and every colleague in this community today. The value of higher education is not something we have to argue. We can show it. It is again here with us this evening.”