In October 2019, members of the GEDC community gathered in Santiago de Chile. Engineering deans convened with industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how to move institutions forward, motivated by purpose to contribute to more equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. During the event, protests unfolded across the country, as Chileans took to the streets to demand change—punctuating the urgency of the urgent need for impactful and purposeful STEM innovation and growing inclusivity in educational and occupational opportunities in all societies. Throughout the entire event, the exceptional team from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, continually adapted conference proceedings and events during this historic moment—including in providing spaces for collaboration and connection, weaving in context of the moment to inform conversations, warmly supporting participants dealing with curfews and flight cancellations and much more.