Dominic Gelfuso, a graduate of the Class of 2016, was recently selected as a member of Ford Motor Company’s Thirty Under 30 Class of 2018. This company-wide corporate leadership course, founded and run by Ford’s executive chairman, Bill Ford, empowers young employees to work with and learn about philanthropic organizations. Gelfuso is a member of a 30-member group working on world problems related to hunger, economic access, and more, in what Ford refers to as his “Millennial Think Tank.”
According to Ford, Thirty Under 30 fellows are made up of 30 diverse U.S. employees, under the age of 30, selected from more than 300 competitive applications across the country. They take time away from their jobs as Ford engineers, and as financial, marketing, and IT professionals, to not only learn what it takes to run a charity, but also how to develop strategies to help nonprofits connect with younger generations who represent a future donor and volunteer base.
Gelfuso, who earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and design, innovation, and society, currently works at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, as a product development engineer working on electric vehicles and Ford’s Wireless Power Transfer project, which can charge electric vehicles wirelessly.
“I’ve been continually impressed by Ford’s exceptional commitment to corporate responsibility during my time here,” Gelfuso said. “I am truly excited to be a part of that commitment as a member of this innovative class and Mr. Ford’s initiative.”
As part of the application process, Gelfuso made a short video submission to the final round of applications. The video pays tribute to the late Rensselaer professor Burt Swersey, who, Gelfuso said, “helped me discover my love of using design for social good by teaching me to ask not just why, but why not?”
At Rensselaer, Gelfuso was a member of the Phi Mu Delta fraternity and the RPI Crew Club.