Introducing the Make:able 2025 Judging Panel

2nd May 2025 • Make:able

As the submission deadline (15th May 2025) approaches, here’s a quick reminder of the judging process:

• 15th May – 31st May 2025: Team PrintLab will review all submissions and create a finalist shortlist of 3-6 entries per award category in each of the 3 age groups. The finalist shortlist will be announced by email and on our X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram profiles on the 31st May. Finalists will consist of the entries that excelled the most in the design criteria relating to the award category.

• 1st June – 30th June 2025: Our panel of judges will be given access to the shortlisted videos via a secure online platform. Each judge will be assigned a specific award category and will independently review and vote for their top two entries. First-place selections receive 2 points; second-place selections receive 1 point. Points are tallied to determine the final winners.

• 1st July 2025: Once all judges have submitted their votes, the scores will be counted and a winner will be selected for each award category and age group. A winners announcement will be made by email and on social media, with prizes delivered shortly after.

Now, let’s take a look at the brilliant panel of judges for Make:able 2025!

 

Best Showcase of Empathy

 

 

• Andy Lin – Rehabilitation Engineer at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
• Allyson Tong – Occupational Therapist at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
• Grace Ambroze – Accessibility Specialist at lululemon
• Ian Matty – Director of Mountain Lakes Public Library Makerspace
• Zoë Edger-Lacoursière – Occupational Therapist at Villa Medica Rehabilitation Hospital
• Bryce Johnson – Principal Researcher Accessibility & Inclusive Design, Microsoft
• Sarah Heinzen – Senior Product Designer @ Microsoft Inclusive Tech Lab

 

Best Creative Idea

 

 

• Phil Holton – Senior Qualification Manager at Pearson
• Noam Platt – Founder of MakeGood
• Loreto Dumitrescu – Co-Founder of Zero Day Camp
• Ed Charlwood – Autodesk Authorized Learning Partner and Curriculum Lead at United Learning
• Trudi Barrow – Design Education Advisor at CLEAPSS
• Becky Wynne – STEM Teacher at Maryville Middle School
• José Antonio – Head of Makerspace at Prepa UDEM

 

Best Use of Autodesk Software

 

 

• Guillermo Melantoni – Head of Tinkercad
• Kevin Kennedy – Founder of Product Design Online
• Mike Westlake – Sr. Manager GTM Strategy at Autodesk
• Oliver Briggs – Director at EduCAD
• Curt Chan – Strategic Partnerships Manager at Autodesk
• Kellyanne Mahoney – Youth Programs Manager at Autodesk
• Jessy Ellenberger – Community Manager at Autodesk

 

Best Showcase of Customisation

 

 

• Justin Pezzin – Director of Makers Making Change
• Brad Wellington – Jr. Mechanical Engineer at Makers Making Change
• Jake McIvor – Engineering Lead at Makers Making Change
• Michelle Levy – Director, Global Design Strategy at TOM
• Dana Gur-Gelbard – Director, Community Product Development at TOM
• Bill Siever – Teaching Professor at Washington University in St. Louis
• Paula de Santos Dorrego – Research Technician at CITIC

 

Best Use of 3D Printing

 

 

• Christina Perla – Co-Founder & CEO at Makelab
• Vicente Gasco – Fab Lab Director / 3D Printing Professor at Atlantic University
• Chris Pelesky – Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Printed Solid
• Allie Katz – Creative Technologist
• Mike Washburn – Director of Learning Experiences at Logics Academy
• Stephanie Ferrera – Program Director at PHabLAB
• Edward Robe – B2B Sales Account Manager at Prusa Research
• Tressa Penrod-Kaiser – Category Manager for Emerging Technologies at Bluum

 

Best Showcase of Iterative Design

 

 

• Tony Ryan – CEO at The Design and Technology Association
• Dave Gaylord – VP of Products and Technology at MatterHackers
• Alanna Raffel – Assistive Technology Specialist and Occupational Therapist at TechOWL
• Maja Stachowicz – Biomechanical Engineer
• Amanda O’Mara – Innovation and Design Teacher at West Clermont School District
• Amber Hudson – Educational Services VP at 1st Maker Space
• Megan Ewing – Director of Secondary Education at 1st Maker Space

 

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A big thank you to all our judges for generously giving their time to support this year’s challenge. As noted above, finalists will be announced on 31st May—so be sure to check your emails and follow along on our social channels (@weareprintlab)!