2024
GOOD Design Award: Alcove Workstation® 

Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Academic Member 

Adjunct Professor, University of Houston Design Program: Invited to teach Design Research & Methodology course for fall 2024
International Architecture & Design Award: Gold winner, Workplace and Office Design (Product) Category
University of Houston Design Program: Invited guest juror for Capstone final projects (Spring semester)
 
2023
Alcove Group: Utility patent granted for Alcove Workstation®: Electronic device case and privacy device 
University of Houston Design Program: Invited guest juror for final projects (Spring semester)
 
2022
University of Houston Design Program: Invited guest juror for final projects-Sports Category (Fall semester) 
IDSA, IDEA Competition: Invited guest juror for the IDEA student design competition @UHouston
YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) 2021-22: Spouse forum board member of the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of YPO 
 
2021
United Way, Greater Houston: Steering committee co-lead for the annual United Way fund raising campaign at Enbridge
General Assembly & Design Buddies: Moderator, Design Your UX Career 
Enbridge: Mentor, Enbridge Professional Mentorship Program
The Ion: Mentor for the 3rd cohort of The Ion, Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator
General Assembly & The Ion Houston: Co-Facilitator: Tech Week, Rapid Innovation Workshop
DesignBoom: Alcove Workstation® article: 10 iF design award 2021 winners that boost creativity in home offices
iF Design Award: Alcove Workstation® article: iF Design Award 2021 Honors Innovative Ideas from Around the World
Red Dot Award: Alcove Workstation® receives 2021 Red Dot Award
iF Design Award: Alcove Workstation® receives 2021 iF Design Award
 
2020
Alcove Group: Trademark granted: Work Moves With You
Sombur: Strategic advisor for early stage startup Sombur
Enbridge Technology and Innovation Lab: Presented the Ten Types of Innovations to the Agile Community of Practice 
Founder Institute: Mentor for the fall cohort of Founder Institute, Houston Chapter
Innovation Map: Interviewed by Innovation Map about the IAmOther50 platform launch
The Ion: Featured on Techxans Helping Techxans YouTube series about the IAmOther50 platform launch
Illinois Institute of Technology (Kaplan Institute): Invited guest speaker on a live YouTube streaming event: Improving People’s Lives Through Design
Arts Connect: Invited by Arts Connect to join the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Art Task Force to address the immediate and long-term challenges brought on by COVID-19
United Way, Greater Houston: Steering committee co-lead for the annual United Way fund raising campaign @Enbridge
Yanko Design: Alcove Workstation® article: Embrace Social Distancing With These Comforting Product Designs
The Ion: Mentor for the 2nd cohort of The Ion, Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator
Founder Institute: Mentor for the winter cohort of Founder Institute, Houston Chapter
 
2019
Alcove Group: Trademark granted: Alcove Workstation®
1,000 Dreams Fund: Invited to be a mentor at 1,000 Dreams Fund during the Inaugural MentorHER Day 
Founder Institute: Invited to be a startup mentor at the newly formed Houston chapter of Founder Institute
Medium.com/@YaredAkalou: A collection of articles on work trends
International Business and Marketing Academy (IBMA): Entrepreneur Partner
 
2018
Innovation Map: Guest columnist: 3 tips for a successful crowdfunding campaign
MacLife (Germany): Alcove Workstation™ featured article in MacLife
PDR Corp: Invited speaker for PDR Perspectives 2018
Voyage Houston: Meet Yared Akalou of Alcove Group in Southwest Houston
INDIEGOGO: Alcove Workstation™ named 2018 INNOVATIVE PRODUCT at CES
CES: Alcove Workstation™ previewed at CES 2018 Eureka Park
 
2017
Noova: Alcove Workstation™ featured on French tech/lifestyle blog Noova
Gadget Flow (Medium): Alcove Workstation™ article: Enjoy Working on the Go? Try These Portable Work Desks
IDSA-CHI + IIT Institute of Design: Invited Guest Panelist: The Way We [Will] Work
Shout Outs: Alcove Workstation™ featured article: This Innovative Laptop Case Can Transform Into A Privacy Workstation
PR Newswire: Alcove Workstation™ press release: Alcove, The First Mobile Workstation, Launches Kickstarter Live at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2017
Everyday Carry: Alcove Workstation™ featured in EveryDay Carry
Trendhunter: Alcove Workstation™ featured article: Alcove’s Laptop Case Unfolds into a Private Workstation
PR Newswire: Alcove Workstation™ press release: Alcove Group Develops the First Mobile Workstation to Address the Needs of Today's Workforce
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA): Professional Member (2017-2018)
IIT, Institute of Design: Alumni Stories: Yared Akalou
Houston Zoo: Technology Advisory Board Member (2017-2019)
 
2016
Houston Interactive Marketing Association (Interactive Strategies Conference): Featured Speaker, Facial Coding: The Missing Piece to Your Content Marketing Strategy
Fruition Technology Labs: Advisory Board Member (2016-2018)
Breakthrough Radio: Recurring Guest Host: Future of Workforce (2016-2018)
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Portfolio Reviews
 
2015
BD (formerly CareFusion): Utility patent granted for Charge Capture Software: Multiple Infusion Channel Data Graphical User Interface
Interaction Design Foundation (IDF): Professional Member (2015-2018) 

2014
International Association of Innovation Professionals (IAOIP): Founding Member (2014-2017) and contributing author to the IAOIP Tools and Methodology certification:
Chapter 28: Ethnography
Chapter 46: Mind Mapping/Spider Diagrams
Chapter 68: Storyboarding
IDEA Brasil (Sao Paulo): Guest Juror, 2014 IDEA Brasil Awards. Invited back to be an international guest juror to select the 2014 IDEA Brasil Awards
 
2013
Illinois Institute of Technology: Admission Ambassador (2013-Present)
IDEA Brasil (Sao Paulo): Guest Juror: 2013 IDEA Brasil Awards
Insitum (Sao Paulo): Guest Speaker, Insitum (Acquired by Fjord,Accenture)
 
2012
Wesley Foundation Mentoring Program: Mentor at Texas Southern University 
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Professional Member (2007-2012)
 
2011
Horn of Africa NeoNatal Development Services (Non-Profit): Advisory Board Member (2011-Present)
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Guest Panelist, Representing Medical Industry (Fall 2011) 
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Design Reviews
Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA): Professional Member (2003-2011)
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Portfolio Reviews
 
2010
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Mentor, Joint initiative with the University of Houston (Clear Lake) Graduate Student Mentoring Program
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Design Reviews
LyondellBasell: Guest Speaker, Human Factors Steering Committee
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Portfolio Reviews
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Guest Panelist, Representing Medical Industry (Fall 2010) 
 
2009
Rice University (Department of Psychology): Guest Lecturer
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Juror, IDSA Student Merit Award
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Portfolio Reviews
 
2008
University of Houston (Clear Lake): Guest Lecturer, School of Human Sciences and Humanities Psychology Program
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Juror, IDSA Student Merit Award
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Guest Panelist, Representing Medical Industry (Fall 2008) 
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Portfolio Reviews
 
2007
University of Houston (Clear Lake): Guest Lecturer, School of Human Sciences and Humanities Psychology Program
University of Houston Industrial Design Program: Guest Judge, Design Reviews