As the water industry experiences increasing demand for skilled professionals, Illinois American Water continues to invest in workforce development through programs and partnerships that create career pathways and prepare the next generation of water industry talent.

Developing a strong workforce remains a strategic priority for the company as it focuses on attracting, training, and retaining qualified employees to provide safe, reliable, affordable, and high-quality water and wastewater services to customers across Illinois.

"Like many sectors, the water industry is facing a significant workforce transition as experienced employees retire and the need for skilled professionals continues to rise," said Rebecca Losli, President of Illinois American Water. "By partnering with educational institutions and community organizations, we're creating opportunities for people to build rewarding careers while ensuring we have the workforce needed to serve our customers and communities across the state."

Among the company's recent workforce development initiatives are:

"We're excited to have welcomed an apprentice from the Center for Academic and Vocation Excellence as a full-time member of our team," said Nole Dailey, Superintendent of Field Operations at Illinois American Water. "Their fresh perspective has already made a positive impact, and we're confident they will continue to contribute as we deliver safe, dependable, and affordable water services. We hope these programs inspire more young people to consider rewarding careers in the water industry."

Through these partnerships and training initiatives, Illinois American Water is expanding access to meaningful career opportunities while building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the future needs of the water industry. Those interested in exploring career opportunities or joining the company's talent network can find more information on the American Water careers website.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, was founded in 1971 with the mission to provide humanitarian medical care to those in need globally. Over five decades, the organization has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading first responders.

Kenneth Lavelle, MSF's Director of Operations, states, "When there's a crisis, MSF is ready to mobilize—people, doctors, logisticians, and specialists, with all the resources they need. We're prepared 24/7, 365 days a year, to respond when called."

MSF offers a wide range of health services, from surgeries to mental health support, for vulnerable populations in conflict zones, disaster areas, and regions facing health emergencies. In 1999, the organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work.

MSF’s long-term success is rooted in its core principles: providing assistance based on need, adhering to medical ethics, and ensuring transparency and accountability. However, sustaining operations in unstable regions also demands substantial logistical expertise and technological infrastructure. MSF has developed an extensive global logistics and IT network, supported by cutting-edge technology from partners like Lenovo.

A Crucial Network
Lavelle explains, "MSF is recognized as a medical organization, but our success in healthcare is only possible because of the massive logistical network we've built over the years. We've also heavily invested in information technology. Today, we can't run operations without IT specialists."

When MSF deploys to a crisis, teams often need to build a hospital from scratch in resource-limited, volatile environments, requiring more than just medical knowledge.

Jean-Patrick Dye, MSF IT Field Coordinator, explains, "Our IT team works alongside medical and logistics teams to ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether it's internal communication, coordination with headquarters, or ensuring connectivity in complex environments, trusted partners like Lenovo are essential to keeping our teams connected."

Excelling in Extreme Conditions
MSF’s IT field kits include Lenovo’s purpose-built edge compute servers to meet the demanding conditions of fieldwork. The ThinkSystem SE350 Edge Server offers robust functionality in a compact, portable form, with both wired and wireless connectivity to suit any environment MSF teams face.

The primary challenges in edge computing—space, temperature control, and power consumption—are addressed by Lenovo’s servers. Designed for non-data center environments, the ThinkSystem SE350 has a small footprint and can be installed almost anywhere, whether under a desk, mounted to a wall, or in a vehicle. These servers are also built to withstand extreme temperatures (0-55°C) and pass rigorous standards for shock, vibration, and altitude. They feature robust cybersecurity, including disk encryption and physical protections against tampering.

Dye adds, "We often don’t have climate-controlled rooms, which require too much power. Our field kits act as small data centers, using Lenovo's SE350 to power the team’s infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted service."

At MSF’s headquarters, Lenovo workstations support efforts in mapping, transportation, and communications. The partnership goes beyond supplying hardware; it includes server procurement, field device infrastructure, consultancy, and ongoing support.

"Standardizing our tech has made global repairs much more efficient," says Dye. "With Lenovo’s support, we spend less time on connectivity and IT maintenance, allowing us to focus more on providing essential care."

Preparing for the Future
MSF and Lenovo are already exploring new uses for edge technology. They’re developing portable systems that pack all necessary components into a grab-and-go format, enabling quicker deployment with a smaller footprint.

Dye explains, "A backpack could provide network connectivity and services for a small team responding to an emergency, even in challenging logistics situations."

MSF is also exploring artificial intelligence to predict medical outbreaks and track population migration during crises, helping to proactively address challenges and ensure effective responses.

MSF’s logistical expertise is one of its lesser-known but crucial strengths, enabling the organization to provide life-saving care globally. As technological innovations continue to evolve, MSF remains focused on its unwavering commitment to universal humanitarian aid.
"Regardless of borders, MSF will be where it's needed," says Dye.

Lavelle concludes, "Partnerships with companies like Lenovo help us find technological solutions to overcome barriers and improve care. Together, we’re solving today’s challenges while preparing for the future."