Inspired and motivated by a diverse group of WIE members that includes nine voting members, ten region coordinators, and forty-two Technical Society and Council Liaisons, we have created new activities with urgent goals to bring visibility across IEEE and beyond and to advocate for WIE events at every technical meeting and conference. We had six IEEE WIE International Leadership Summits (ILS) in 2017, and eleven successful IEEE WIE ILS in 2018 organized by the most enthusiastic and passionate volunteers on five continents. I had the privilege to attend four of this year’s summits, and additionally our new initiative, the IEEE WIE Tech Powered by Women (TechW) Workshop. They were all amazing, focusing on advancing and empowering women in different cultures.

It has been fascinating to observe an increase in support of WIE.  I believe that the IEEE Committee on Diversity and Inclusion has exceeded our expectations. Women have been invited to join important decision and selection making committees. One of our biggest challenges and opportunities is to continue nominating deserving and well qualified women to major IEEE committees, for awards, medals, honors, including fellows and all other recognitions. The number of fellows in WIE has increased noticeably. I would like to propose we create a new subcommittee for nominations and appointments.

We continue making a global impact through our annual IEEE WIE International Leadership Conference and WIE Summits held world-wide. We are spreading our message and engaging with our members through our award-winning IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine, WIE web presence, bi-monthly electronic newsletter, Women in Leadership Community in IEEE Collabratec™, and social media. We also continue to recognize women’s achievements with yearly awards for inspiring members and students, Affinity Groups and the newly established IEEE Frances B. Hugle Scholarship.

This global impact brought us amazing visibility and recognition. We have a list of women’s organizations that have invited us to join their conferences and to collaborate on their projects. I will continue my efforts to have WIE representatives on every IEEE Board and to create a Speaker’s Bureau as well as IEEE WIE Ambassador Program. I am offering to continue my service as “Global Ambassador for IEEE WIE.” I would be thrilled to continue to visit regions and summits to inspire and build confidence in our young members by sharing my passion: “IEEE Women in Engineering – A Success Story.”

I leave IEEE WIE in outstanding condition and pass this leadership to Lisa who has served as a voting member of WIE. I have no doubt that Lisa is more than well prepared and ready to lead our organization. I wish her the biggest success and the most rewarding experience.

I am thankful, appreciative, and grateful to all WIE members for being very generous with their time and energy, for their efforts to make IEEE WIE an amazing community of talent, achievement and care. My special thanks from the bottom of my heart go to WIE staff members: Charmain, Paola, Georedna, Francesca, Cecelia, and John for their unconditional support, remarkable work, assistance and help in running this program smoothly. My thanks go also to all our IEEE leaders for their support and creating an environment for our success. This success would not have happened without so many involved and engaged in IEEE WIE.  Thank you All!

It will be my privilege to continue my service as the past chair of IEEE WIE.

Warm regards,

Bozenna