Panel Discussion:
Beyond Technical Excellence: The Leadership Journey from Engineer to Influencer Discussion
Saturday, October 3 | 11:00 – 12:00 CET
Moderator: Deyasini Majumdar – IEEE ILC Program Committee Co-Chair
Deyasini Majumdar, Ph.D., SMIEEE
She is a Senior Member of IEEE and an IEEE Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) member, and currently serves as the IEEE R1 Women in Engineering Coordinator, member of the IEEE Educational Activities (EA) Continuing Education Committee and the EA liaison to IEEE MGA Member Engagement and Life Cycle Committee. Prior to this, she has served at the Global, Section and Regional levels at IEEE in various capacities including Chair of the IEEE EA Section Education Outreach Committee, member of the IEEE EA Board, Chair of the EA Committee, Canada, and the Founding Chair of IEEE WIE Rochester.
Abstract: Technical excellence may open the door, but leadership determines how far our impact can reach. This panel explores the journey from being a successful technical professional to becoming an influential leader who shapes people, organizations, and the future of technology. Panelists will share experiences and lessons on developing leadership presence, communicating beyond technical audiences, building meaningful networks, mentoring the next generation, and navigating career transitions. The discussion will highlight how engineers can leverage their technical foundation while developing the human, strategic, and communication skills needed to lead with purpose and create lasting impact.
Panelists:
Sudeendra Koushik
President – Chief Innovator & Founder
Sudeendra Koushik
- Founder and Chief Innovator at Innovation by Design
- Ex-Philips, Ex-Volvo, Ex-NXP, Ex-HCL, Co-Founder PRASU
- Senior Member IEEE, Fellow Institute of Engineers, India,
- President IEEE TEMS,
- Chairman Ethics Awareness & Advancement Committee India Council
- Past Chair IEEE Ethics and Enterprise Risk management Asia Pacific (IEEE Region 10),
- 2 times TEDx speaker
- TV & Cinema Actor
- Humourist
I have over 32 years’ experience in diverse areas and roles globally, including living in India, Singapore and The Netherlands. The various areas & roles include Innovation, Technology management, new Product and Services development, Project & Program management, Hardware, Software and Systems, Intellectual property, People & Organisation management and Customer management roles. I have more than 50 patents in various stages including 10 at Volvo India.
I am a successful entrepreneur and some of my clients include Siemens, Volvo, Daimler, ZF, Continental, Bosch and many more to help develop a culture of Innovation, build Innovation skills, and generate business relevant Innovations and intellectual property. I have been very actively engaged in the start-up ecosystem, by mentoring and supporting multiple start-ups, innovation centres, accelerators, and incubators in multiple domains including founders institute.
I serve as a visiting faculty member at numerous national and international universities, such as NID, Reva, IIT, and the University of Arkansas, and more. Currently the President Elect of the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society. An engaging TEDx speaker and international keynote presenter, also recognized as a cartoonist and TV & cinema actor.
I work closely with academia, being a Professor of Practice, member of Academic Council, Board of studies and Industry interaction cell of numerous universities including Indian & international universities like NID Ahmedabad & Bangalore, San Jose State University, University of Arkansas, IIT-G etc. I have published course on Innovation at Udemy and a book titled ‘A conversation with the Innovator in you’.
Anina Barth
PhD – MKS Inc.
Anina Barth
- Anina has been with MKS for 8 years.
- She holds a PhD degree in Chemistry from Technical University in Berlin, Germany.
- She has started her career as cleaning expert for semiconductor products.
- Anina then transitioned to project management for product development for 8 years and is a PMI certified project manager.
- In 2023 Anina transitioned back to science by joining the Advanced Technology Group at MKS.
- She is leading this group since October 2023.
- Her expertise is in applications for cleaning and specialty etches in semiconductor applications.
- Anina engages in activities to bring and keep women in the field of technology. She has initiated two networking groups within the company; one in the USA, the other in Europe.
- Anina has been a mentor in the MKS mentoring program.
Paulina Chan
Chair IEEE Collaboration & Engagement Committee
Your Content Goes Here
Biography: Paulina Chan, PhD (Imperial College), DIC, MBA(UoLon), SMIEEE, CMgr, CCMI Paulina is a global citizen. She is the Founder and CEO of Global Mutual Innovation Consortium. She has been Managing Director of AT&T/Lucent Technologies, Project Director of Exxon/Mobil Corporation, General Manager of ICO Global Communications. Paulina is the Chair of IEEE Collaboration and Engagement, Co-Chair of the Industry Engagement & Exhibition of Globecom’26, Hong Kong Fund Manager of the IEEE Foundation, Founding and current Champion of the “AI-for-Humanity Programme” for Pre-university Students. She is the former Chair of the IEEE Public Visibility Committee, and the Hong Kong Section. Paulina is also the Founding and current Chair of the Imperial College London Mentoring Programme. She is a Chartered Manager (CMgr), and has been appointed Chartered Companion (CCMI) of the Royal Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
Limor Bergman Gross
Executive Leadership Coach
Limor Bergman Gross
Biography: I’m an executive and leadership coach, former Director of Engineering, and trusted partner to women navigating leadership growth in tech.
With over 20 years in the tech industry, including senior leadership roles at DigitalOcean, I understand the real dynamics of engineering organizations — not just the theory.
Today, I work 1:1 with women leaders to help them:
- Clarify their leadership direction
- Build strategic visibility and influence
- Position themselves for promotion and growth
This work is practical, honest, and deeply personal.
No generic advice. No “fix yourself” energy.
Fireside Chat:
The Power of Leadership: IEEE Presidents on Community,
Impact & Vision
Saturday, October 3 | 16:45 – 17:30 CET
Moderator: Vickie Ozburn – IEEE ILC Co-Chair
Vickie Ozburn
Vickie had over 35 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. She held several technical and management roles there, including software development, engineering management, IT management, and project management, before recently retiring.
She was awarded the Cedar Rapids Section Ted A. Hunter Award for outstanding individual service in furthering the purposes and objectives of the Section, and is a founding member of Cedar Rapids Section WIE Affinity Group. She continues to lead and organize WIE events.
Vickie believes that women in leadership roles bring positive diversity to the workplace and provide role models for younger women in the scientific and technology fields. Improvements in STEM education are essential to our country’s quality of life and economic competitiveness, and as role models, women can help guide and direct young women into these fields.
Vickie holds a B.A. Computer Science from Mount Mercy University, B.A. Business from Coe College, and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
Guests:
Mary Ellen Randall
2026 IEEE President and CEO
Mary Ellen Randall
Biography: Mary Ellen Randall is an IEEE Life Fellow and member of the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society.
She held technical and management positions in IBM, including an international assignment, hardware and software development, digital video chips, client/server services, network management, operating systems, and test design automation. She routinely managed projects on an international scale.
She served on the IEEE Board of Directors as IEEE Treasurer, IEEE Vice President of Member and Geographic Activities (MGA), and Region 3 Director, and served as IEEE WIE Committee Chair, among other leadership positions.
She created and developed the IEEE MOVE International Community Outreach Program for disaster relief and STEM education. She received awards for this work, including the IEEE Haraden Pratt Award.
Ms. Randall is founder/CEO of Ascot Technologies, Inc., an award-winning software company which develops enterprise applications utilizing mobile delivery technologies. As a result, she was named a top “Woman In Business” in the Research Triangle North Carolina area and made Business Leader Magazine’s “Impact 100” List.
She holds a M.S. Computer Science and a B.A. Mathematics from Binghamton University.
Jill Gostin
2026 IEEE President-Elect
Jill I. Gostin
She has served IEEE extensively, including three years on the IEEE Board of Directors, as 2023 IEEE Vice President of Member and Geographic Activities and 2020-2021 Region 3 Director. She is a former chair of the IEEE Atlanta Section and the IEEE Computer Society’s Atlanta Chapter. Gostin served on the IEEE Computer and IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems societies’ boards of governors and was the vice president of finance for the Sensor Council’s Executive Committee. She has also led or been a member of several IEEE organizational units and committees, locally and globally.
Her leadership has been recognized by being named 2016 Woman of the Year by Georgia Women in Technology and receiving the 2025 IEEE Women in Technology & Leadership Award.
Kathleen Kramer
2026 IEEE Past President
Kathleen A. Kramer
Biography: Kathleen A. Kramer is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of San Diego in California. She worked to develop new engineering programs as a founding member of the faculty and eventually became the chair of electrical engineering, then serving as Director of Engineering (2004-2013), providing academic leadership for all the university’s engineering programs. Her teaching interests are in the areas of signal processing, mechatronics and robotics, and communication systems.
She has also been a member of technical staff at several companies, including ViaSat, Hewlett Packard, and Bell Communications Research. She is a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS) and is a past vice president of the society. She is a Fellow of ABET, and a leader in the development of accreditation criteria for cyber security, mechatronics, and robotics.
Kathleen served on the IEEE Board of Directors as IEEE Secretary and chair of Governance, IEEE Region 6 (Western USA) Director. As 2025 IEEE President & CEO, she had major initiatives advancing strategic investments and public imperative activities, including education, humanitarian technologies, and public policy efforts.
She received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering magna cum laude with a second major in physics from Loyola Marymount University, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.
Panel Discussion:
Innovation Across Generations: Connecting Experience, Diversity, and New Ideas Discussion
Sunday, October 4 | 11:00 – 12:00 CET
Moderator: Howard Wolfman, IEEE ILC Co-Chair
Howard Wolfman
Abstract: Howard as been an IEEE volunteer for many decades and has served as Chicago Section Chair, Region 4 Director, IEEE Treasurer, and a member or chair of 20+ IEEE committees. He has received numerous IEEE awards including an MGA Leadership Award.
He is currently serving as the Chair of the 2026 IEEE Admissions and Advancement Committee, Co-Chair of the 2026 International Leadership Conference, and Co-Chair of the IEEE USA Licensure and Registration Committee
In his non-IEEE life, Howard has had a career Iin both industry and academia having been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago for 20 years, held various engineering and management positions in industry, and has operated his own consulting business.
Howard and his wife Harriet reside in a suburb of Chicago (USA) where he is the Chair of a Sanitary District Board of Trustees and a member of his Condominium Boad of Directors.
Abstract: Coming Soon.
Panelists:
Teofilo Ramos
IEEE Life Member Chair
Teofilo Ramos
His legacy extends beyond a single institution. Recognizing the importance of quality and continuous improvement in engineering education, he played a key role in advancing the accreditation of engineering programs in Mexico and was instrumental in the creation of CACEI, the Mexican Accreditation Board for Engineering Programs. This contribution helped establish and strengthen a framework for evaluating and improving engineering education, creating a lasting impact on engineering programs and the generations of students they serve.
His decades of volunteer leadership with IEEE further expanded his influence from the local to the global engineering community. As Chair of the IEEE Monterrey Section and President of the IEEE Mexico Council, he contributed to strengthening the engineering community in Mexico. As Vice President of the IEEE Educational Activities Board and Director of IEEE Region 9, he helped advance educational and professional initiatives across the Americas. His service as Chair of the Region 9 Awards and Recognitions Committee, a member of the IEEE Fellow Committee for several years, and a member of several IEEE awards committees also allowed him to contribute to recognizing excellence and fostering leadership within the profession.
Through his contributions to higher education, engineering accreditation, and IEEE, he has left a legacy. His leadership has helped strengthen engineering education, advance professional standards, and create opportunities for future generations of engineers in Mexico and throughout the global engineering community.
Preeti Bajaj
Global Higher Education Strategist | Ranking & Accreditation Expert
Preeti Bajaj
Biography: Preeti Bajaj -a seasonal IEEE volunteer, advocate for technology-driven societal transformation, with over 35 years of leadership in engineering education has created scalable IEEE and innovation ecosystems. Currently serves as Chair-Elect of IEEE India Council having several leadership roles across IEEE MGA and the IEEE Education Society.
Dr.Bajaj pioneered the early adoption of AI education in India. She has championed systemic inclusion by mandating participation of at least one Women in Engineering (WIE) member in every innovation team.
Known for building impactful academia–industry ecosystems, she is passionate about empowering future-ready leaders, redefining engineering education and advancing technology for humanity.
Jeewika Ranaweera
IEEE ILC Program Committee Co-Chair
Jeewika Ranaweera
Jeewika authored an inspiring eBook for IEEE Women in Engineering chronicling her journey as an engineer, with the goal of motivating young minds to pursue careers in STEM. She also illustrated IEEE’s first-ever children’s book. She was named one of SWE’s “Women Engineers You Should Know in 2023” and “Outstanding member who promoted WIE” award from IEEE WIE SCV in 2020.”
A passionate advocate for ethical technology, Jeewika is deeply committed to reducing bias in AI and addressing its disproportionate effects on women and historically marginalized groups. Through her leadership in the IEEE Metaverse Initiative, she also champions digital inclusion by confronting the hardware and connectivity gaps contributing to the global digital divide. Her many talks and lectures spotlight these critical issues, inspiring others to drive responsible innovation.
Jeewika earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from CUJAE in Havana, Cuba, and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada. She has published in technical journals, presented her work at international conferences, and holds five U.S. patents.
Gokce Nur Yilmaz
TED University Head of Department
Gokce Nur Yilmaz
Biography: Gokce Nur Yilmaz received her Ph.D. degree from the I-Lab Multimedia Communication Research Group, part of the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, University of Surrey, UK, in 2011. She is a Professor at the Department of Computer Engineering and acts as the Head of the Department at TED University. Her entrepreneur and academic experience positions her to play a pivotal role in many multidisciplinary EU (e.g., Horizon, COST, etc.) and national (e.g., TUBITAK, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, etc.) projects. She is the author of many scholarly publications in high-impact international journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings in collaboration with prestigious authors. Her entrepreneurial initiatives support her to serve as an R&D advisor for many companies. She has been serving as an organizer and scientific committee member of many international conferences and workshops. She was elevated to the grade of Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which is held only by 10% of the IEEE members and reflects professional maturity and documented achievements of significance.
Roundtable Discussion
Track A: Career Readiness & Mentorship
Young Professional Mentoring Café: Conversations That Inspire, Connect, and Grow
Sunday, October 4 | 14:00 – 14:45 CET
Facilitator: Ana Inês Inácio – IEEE YP Vice Chair 2026
Facilitator: Jeewika Ranaweera – IEEE ILC Program Committee Co-Chair
Description: Intergenerational Leadership Mentoring Session – a structured mentoring event that connects experienced IEEE leaders with Students and Young Professionals to discuss leadership journeys, career development, volunteer opportunities, and the future of IEEE leadership.
Participants:
Neeli Prasad
Treasurer & Partnership
Neeli Prasad
Biography: Dr. Ir. Neeli Prasad is the visionary CEO and Co-Founder of SmartAvatar B.V. in the Netherlands, known for her expertise in telecommunications, cybersecurity, and wireless technology. With a proven track record in driving strategic growth and global expansion, she has significantly shaped the future of technology and communications.Throughout her career, Neeli has focused on fostering business and technology innovation, guiding organizations through incubation, prototyping, and validation. Her leadership has earned recognition from industry leaders like Cisco, Huawei, and Nokia-Siemens.As an Elected Member and VP of Membership on the IEEE VTS Board of Governors and Treasurer for IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE), she champions diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, paving the way for future generations of women in technology.A sought-after speaker, Neeli frequently shares her insights at industry conferences. Her commitment to innovation and DEI makes her a respected role model in the technology sector.
