As IEEE President and CEO, I recently attended several meetings and events across the United States and abroad. In March and April, I visited Region 5, 6, and 7 meetings, spoke at the ECEDHA conference in Tucson, and traveled to Cuba. During these events, I emphasized the importance of retaining younger members, engaging with industry, and investing in new products and services to serve members and advance technology for humanity. I also had the opportunity to witness a total eclipse in Arkansas.
At the Region 6 meeting in Seattle, I connected with IEEE volunteer colleagues and discussed important priorities for the organization. Following this, I traveled to Tucson to discuss the future of education at the ECEDHA meeting. A task force has been created to explore ways to use technology to make technical education more accessible and affordable, particularly for marginalized communities. The rapidly changing technological landscape also requires ongoing education for professionals.
In Cuba, I spoke at a technical conference and met with educators to explore opportunities for collaboration with the IEEE. It was a historic visit as I may have been the first IEEE President to visit the country. The people I met were eager to work with the IEEE and enhance technological advancements. Additionally, I had the chance to visit the El Floridita, where Ernest Hemingway used to frequent, and engage with local residents.
Traveling to Arkansas for the Region 5 meeting, I engaged with volunteers and discussed the future of technology and engineering professionals. Following the meeting, I had the opportunity to witness a total eclipse of the sun, a rare and awe-inspiring experience. From there, I traveled to Washington DC for the IEEE-USA Congressional Visits Day, where IEEE members met with senators and representatives to discuss important policy matters such as immigration and technology funding.
After DC, I attended the IEEE Region 7 meeting in Toronto, Canada, where I discussed strategies to retain and attract members, especially younger ones. Despite being the smallest region in terms of membership, Region 7 is very active in IEEE leadership positions. Finally, I attended the first IEEE Life Members Conference in Austin, TX, where retired members discussed new technical developments and opportunities to contribute to the field. Sessions included volunteer activities, mentoring, and emergency services support.
Overall, my travels as IEEE President and CEO allowed me to engage with members, explore collaborations, and advocate for the advancement of technology for humanity. These meetings and events provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the field of engineering and technology, and I look forward to continuing to work towards advancing the IEEE’s mission.
