The candidates are listed in a pre-determined lottery order and indicates no preference.
Candidates: Vickie Ozburn and Simay Akar Koehler
Moderator: Winnie Ye
Bios:
Vickie Ozburn
Sr. Software Engineering Manager
Collins Aerospace
For IEEE Women in Engineering Committee Chair-Elect, 2026
IEEE Women in Engineering Committee Chair, 2027-2028
(Nominated by IEEE Women in Engineering)
Vickie is an IEEE Senior Member and active volunteer. Having served in several leadership positions across IEEE, she has successfully set various strategies and goals for the benefit of the organization and its members. Vickie has dedicated her efforts to help encourage and support women in both their professional and personal endeavors.
Vickie has 34 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense Industry. She has held several technical and management roles and is currently leading the Advanced Manufacturing Team.
She was awarded the Cedar Rapids Section (Region 4) Ted A. Hunter Award for outstanding individual service in furthering the purposes and objectives of the Section and IEEE. As a founding member of Cedar Rapids Section WIE Affinity Group, Vickie continues to lead and
organize impactful initiatives.
Vickie holds a B.A. Computer Science from Mount Mercy University, B.A. Business from Coe College, and MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
Committees/Boards:
- IEEE Board of Directors (2023-2024)
- IEEE-USA Board of Directors (2023-2024)
- IEEE MGA Board (2023-Present)
- MGA Operations Committee (2023-Present)
- IEEE Ad Hoc: Technology for a Sustainable Climate (2024)
- IEEE Coordinator to D&I Committee (2024);
- TEMS N&A Committee (2024)
- IEEE Ad Hoc: Committee to Coordinate IEEE’s Response to Climate Change (CIRCC) (2023)
- MGA Ad Hoc: Sections Congress 2023 Recommendations (2024)
- MGA Strategic Planning Committee (2021)
- IEEE Tellers Committee Vice-Chair (2018)
- IEEE Tellers Committee Member (2016-2017)
- MGA Membership Recruitment; Recovery Committee (2013-2020).Regions:
- Director, Region 4 (2023-2024)Director-Elect
- Region 4 (2021-2022)
- Region 4 Strategic Planning Committee Chair (2021-2022),
- Membership Development Region 4 (2013-2020)
- Region 4 Ad Hoc: Member Retention Chair (2016-2018).Sections/Chapters/Affinity Groups:
- Chair, Cedar Rapids Section Climate Change Local Group (2023-Present)
- Executive Committee; Cedar Rapids Section (2009-Present)
- Cedar Rapids Strategic Planning Committee (2023-Present); Chair, Cedar Rapids Section (2011)
- Vice-Chair, Cedar Rapids Section (2010)
- Treasurer, Cedar Rapids Section (2009) Awards & Recognition Chair, Cedar Rapids Section (2012-2014)
- Nominations & Appointments Chair, Cedar Rapids (2012-2014)
- WIE Affinity Group Chair, Cedar Rapids Section (2012-Present)
- WIE Affinity Group Member (2011-Present).Society/Technical Council:
- IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Membership (Present)
- IEEE Computer Society (2022-Present) IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Society (2023-Present)
IEEE Communications Society (2007-2022).
IEEE-HKN/HKN:
Professional Member (2021).
Conferences:
- TEMS Conference Committee (2025)
- Nexus Student &YP Conference Advisor (2023-2024)
- Cedar Rapids Section, Professional Development Conference (ProCon) Chair (2004-2017).Significant Achievements:
Recipient of the Cedar Rapids Section Ted A. Hunter Award for outstanding individual service in furthering the purposes and objectives of the Cedar Rapids Section and IEEE. - Founding member of Cedar Rapids Section WIE Affinity Group.
- Formed IEEE Power and Energy (PES) Chapter as Section Chair.
- Chair of the Annual ProCon Professional Development Conference for 13 years, in 2017 celebrated the 20th annual conference.
Simay Akar Koehler
CEO and Founder, AKEC
For IEEE Women in Engineering Committee Chair-Elect, 2026
IEEE Women in Engineering Committee Chair, 2027-2028
(Nominated by IEEE Women in Engineering)
Simay Akar Koehler is a multi-award-winning sustainable energy expert and entrepreneur. As the CEO and Founder of AKEC, a Sustainable Energy Transition and Environmental Consulting Firm, Simay works with clean energy manufacturers and startups.
Simay has received highly acclaimed awards, including the 2022 Women in New Energy Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the 2024 IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award.
With deep expertise in photovoltaic manufacturing, battery storage, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, Simay has held leadership roles in multinational enterprises.
Having lived in Türkiye, China, and Indiana, USA, and traveled to over 70 countries, she brings a rich multicultural perspective, a globally connected mindset, and an extensive network. She has built strong connections with global women STEM organizations, advocating for inclusion and empowerment to drive positive change.
Simay holds a degree from METU, Türkiye, and Energy Innovation and the Emerging Technologies Program at Stanford University.
IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
In 2025, Simay serves in several volunteer roles, including:
- IEEE-USA Representative to the Women in Engineering Committee (WIEC)
- Treasurer of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB)
- IEEE Awards Board Member
- IEEE Finance Committee, HTB Liaison
- IEEE Entrepreneurship MGA R1-7 Representative
- IEEE Region 4 Outreach Chair
- IEEE Central Indiana Section Chair
A dedicated IEEE WIE volunteer since 2007, Simay has served in numerous leadership roles at various levels. From leading a Student Branch AG to becoming the IEEE Turkey Section WIE Student Representative (2009), she later founded and chaired the IEEE Turkey
Section WIE AG, significantly contributing to its growth and recognition. Her involvement extends across the IEEE China Council and Regions 8 & 10 WIE Committees (2014-2018), and she has continuously contributed to the MGA WIEC since 2014, also chaired
multiple WIEC Subcommittees.
Simay has held several significant WIEC positions, including:
- Region 8 WIE Chair (2015)
- WIEC YP Representative (2016-2017)
- Power & Energy Society Women in Power Liaison (2018-2020)
- Founder & Chair the Women in IEEE Transportation Electrification Community (2021-2023).
- Simay has played a key role in WIEs global outreach, contributing to the IEEE WIE International Leadership Conference (ILC) and Summit (ILS) Committees since 2015, and currently is part of the 2026 WIE ILC Steering Committee.
- She has served on the Executive Committee of three IEEE Regions: 8, 10, and currently 4 and also IEEE Technical Activities Board Diversity & Inclusion Committee (2021-2022).
Her dedication has been recognized with numerous prestigious IEEE awards, including WIE-related honors such as:
- IEEE Region 8 Clementina Saduwa Award (2023)
- IEEE MGA Diversity & Inclusion Award (2022)
- IEEE WIE Inspiring Member of the Year, honorable mention (2020)
The IEEE Turkey Section WIE Affinity Group received these awards under her leadership:
- IEEE Region 8 WIE Section AG of the Year Award (2021)
- IEEE WIE Affinity Group of the Year, honorable mention (2022)
Winnie Ye: Dr. Winnie Ye is a Full Professor in the Department of Electronics at Carleton University, a Fellow of Optica, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), and a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC). She previously held the prestigious Tier II Canada Research Chair in Nano-scale IC Design for Reliable Opto-Electronics and Sensors from 2009 to 2021.
Dr. Ye is an internationally recognized leader in silicon photonics, with research spanning diverse applications in telecommunications, data communication, biophotonics, and renewable energy. She has played a vital role in advancing integrated photonic technologies and mentoring future generations of engineers, especially women and underrepresented groups in STEM.
Dr. Ye earned her B.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University, and completed her M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto and Carleton University, respectively. Following her doctoral studies, she was awarded an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship and conducted research at both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. She returned to Carleton as a faculty member in 2009, where she continues to lead impactful research and contribute to global technical and professional communities through IEEE.
An internationally recognized expert, Dr. Ye has been honored with prestigious awards, including:
- 2025 Optica Robert E. Hopkins Leadership Award
- 2021 IEEE MGA Leadership Award
- 2020 Partners in Research National Technology & Engineering Ambassador Award
- 2018 IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Inspiring Member Award
- 2018 Engineering Medal for Research & Development (PEO Ontario)
- Carleton University’s Provost’s Fellowship in Teaching Award (2019) and Graduate Mentoring Award (2022)
Beyond research, Dr. Ye is a dedicated leader, having served as:
- 2025–2026 IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Chair
- Elected Member of Board of Governors, IEEE Photonics Society (2024-2026)
- Chair, Optica Photonics & Opto-Electronics Technical Division (2021–2023)
- Chair, Optica Opto-electronics Technical Group (2017-2020)
Her commitment to advancing engineering, mentorship, and women in STEM continues to shape the future of the field.
