Hello NSBE Region VI,

Welcome to the expansive and dynamic NSBE Region VI! I am honored to serve as your Regional Professionals Chairperson for the 2025-2026 term, and I am eager to embark on this journey with each of you. I am Yaw Dapaa, a passionate advocate for diversity in engineering, with a background as a Cybersecurity Engineer, and an academic foundation from National University to the University of California San Diego (UCSD), I am excited to leverage my experience and dedication to help propel Region VI to new heights. Together, we will work towards advancing NSBE’s mission and creating a lasting impact across our diverse region.

Region VI encompasses a vibrant and diverse community of pre-collegiate, collegiate, and professional members, spanning the vast expanse of the Western United States, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Western Canada. From students to seasoned professionals, we are unified by a shared purpose: the NSBE mission “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community”. This region stands as a beacon of collaboration, innovation, and empowerment, where every member’s growth and success contribute to the collective strength of our professional network. Together, we aim to create lasting change, advance diversity in engineering, and inspire the next generation of leaders.

This year, our goals are clear, our vision singular, and our path focused on Engineering F.O.R.W.A.R.D.—Fostering Leadership, Opportunity Expansion, Resilient Growth, Workforce Development, Advancing Innovation, Revitalizing Chapters, and Driving Impact. These principles will guide us through the challenges ahead and enable us to seize the opportunities that lie before us. We aim to expand our professional membership, foster innovation, and create pathways for success at every stage of a NSBE Professional’s career. By focusing on leadership development, professional growth, and revitalizing our Professional chapters, we will empower each member of our region to thrive in the evolving landscape of engineering. Through these efforts, we will ensure that NSBE Region VI continues to be a hub for excellence and a true force for positive change within the engineering community.

As your Regional Professionals Chairperson, I encourage you to reach out to me anytime—whether you want to ask questions, share ideas, or collaborate on new initiatives. Your input and active participation are essential to our success, and together we can continue to drive the mission of NSBE FORWARD.

Together, we will continue to engineer a future of excellence and create lasting change. This is our time to rise, lead, and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation of Black engineers. And remember, WE ARE ENGINEERING F.O.R.W.A.R.D. IN WHOSE HOUSE... SIX HOUSE!

With NSBE Pride and Purpose,

Yaw Dapaa, CISSP, PMP, MBA, MSc
NSBE Lifetime Member #790
NSBE Region VI Professionals Chairperson (2025-2026)