Villanova Alumna Dr. Anne Roby ’86 Honored for Contributions to Global Industrial Gas Industry
Villanova University College of Engineering alumna Anne Roby, PhD, ’86 ChE has been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, “For developments in oxidation processes and leadership in technological developments, safety, and business growth in global industrial gas companies.” Elected by current members, NAE membership is one of the highest professional honors accorded an engineer. It recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature" and to "the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education." Dr. Roby is one of the NAE’s 2,309 U.S. members and 281 international members, who are charged with providing objective analysis and advice to the nation on matters of science, technology, and health.
Dr. Roby is executive vice president for Linde plc—the global industrial gases and engineering leader resulting from the merger of Praxair and Linde AG. She previously served as Praxair’s senior vice president, responsible for Global Supply Systems, R&D, Global Operations Excellence, Global Procurement, Global Strategic Sales, Sustainability, and Safety, Health and Environment. She also led the Praxair Surface Technologies, Electronic Materials and Helium businesses. After earning her PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, Dr. Roby began her career with Praxair in 1991 as a development associate in the company’s R&D organization. She held numerous roles within the company including global marketing manager for chemicals and refining, pipeline sales and business manager for North American Industrial Gases, area director for pipeline and merchant atmospheric products and CO2, vice president for U.S. South Region, vice president of global sales for Praxair, president for Praxair Electronics and president for Praxair Asia. Her work has resulted in four patents for industrial gas applications.
A committed Villanova alumna, Dr. Roby serves on the University's Board of Trustees and formerly served on the Engineering Advisory Board. She was instrumental in sponsoring Praxair's participation in the Resilient Innovation through Sustainable Engineering (RISE) Forum, a College initiative that brings together technical leaders from across industries to promote corporate sustainability practices. She has also provided countless hours to the Society of Women Engineers and matching gift support for "Engineering is for Girls," a Villanova program that introduces young girls to STEM fields.
In 2018, Dr. Roby was awarded the Engineering Alumni Society’s J. Stanley Morehouse Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership in the engineering profession. In 2019, she served as the Patrick J. Cunningham, Jr. and Susan Ward '80 Endowed Lecture Series in Engineering presenter. Randy Weinstein, PhD, Interim Dean of Engineering says: “Anne has always been a great supporter of the College of Engineering. I have relied on her input and advice many times and I know many students have as well. This is a well-deserved honor and we continue to look for great things to come from her.”
Dr. Roby also serves on the Board of Directors for Nuvance Health Network and Danbury/New Milford Hospitals in Connecticut, where she lives with her husband Larry and their three daughters.