Hall of Fame

Jeff Ehret is the chairman and a founding partner of The PENTA Building Group, one of the nation’s leading commercial contractors with more than 400 salaried employees and projected 2025 revenues exceeding $2 billion. After earning his degree from ASU in 1976, he joined Perini Corporation, where he managed large-scale U.S. military and Department of State projects across Israel, Egypt and Morocco during a 17-year international career. Returning to the United States, he oversaw major developments, including Chase Field, the San Jose Arena, Harry Reid Airport Terminal D and the Paris Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

Ehret co-founded the PENTA Building Group in 2000 with two partners, establishing a reputation for excellence in construction management and workforce development. A dedicated ASU supporter, he has served as a trustee and taught graduate-level courses at the Del E. Webb School of Construction, sharing decades of industry experience with emerging leaders. In recognition of his professional achievements and service to the field, Ehret was elected to the National Academy of Construction in 2021.

Vani Kola is the founder and managing director of Kalaari Capital, one of India’s foremost early-stage venture capital firms. A visionary investor with deep technology roots, she has been instrumental in shaping India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by mentoring founders and scaling companies into global competitors. Kola’s portfolio includes transformative ventures such as Dream11, Cure.fit, Snapdeal and Myntra, among others, and reflects her ability to identify market potential and guide teams toward sustainable growth.

Kola has been recognized by Fortune as one of the Most Powerful Women in Business and has been widely profiled for her leadership in innovation and women’s empowerment. Committed to building a culture of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, she supports numerous initiatives that foster diversity and ethical growth in technology. A proud ASU engineering alumna, she combines analytical rigor with a human-centered approach to business. Beyond work, Kola practices yoga and meditation and champions sustainable living. She maintains her own organic garden to meet her family’s needs as part of her philosophy of balance and stewardship.

His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori is a distinguished Emirati engineer and statesman whose leadership has helped define the United Arab Emirates’ modern economy. A graduate of ASU in industrial engineering and management systems, he served as Minister of Economy from 2008 to 2020, leading the nation’s efforts to diversify beyond oil and strengthen its position in global trade. He previously held several key cabinet roles, including Minister of Communication, Minister of Transport and Communication, and Minister of Governmental Sector Development.

During his tenure, Al Mansoori advanced landmark policies, such as enabling full foreign ownership in free zones and deepening economic partnerships with Asia and Latin America. As chairman of the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, he oversaw significant developments that elevated the country’s aviation sector. His legacy reflects a lifelong dedication to innovation, sustainable growth and international collaboration that continues to influence economic strategy across the region.

Harriet Nembhard is president of Harvey Mudd College, a leading liberal arts college for science and engineering and a member of The Claremont Colleges. A nationally recognized industrial engineer and academic leader, she has advanced health care systems engineering, quality improvement and inclusive excellence in STEM. Her research has yielded patented manufacturing processes, machine-learning tools for early disease detection, and influential contributions to her co-authored textbook, Healthcare Systems Engineering.

Before joining Harvey Mudd, Nembhard served as dean of engineering at the University of Iowa and held leadership roles at Oregon State University and Penn State, where she expanded faculty success and research impact. She is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality, the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. An ASU alumna, Nembhard holds a bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. She continues to champion education that prepares compassionate innovators to build a better world.