IEEE WIE Industry Connection
Connecting with industry is a cornerstone of IEEE WIE’s global presence, which includes students, early career professionals, and mid-to senior-level executives. By engaging with industry experts, our members gain access to invaluable insights and resources that propel their careers and drive the advancement of engineering and technology.
We envision this platform as a hub for networking and knowledge sharing. Join us in our mission to create a vibrant and inclusive community that champions innovation and excellence in engineering.
Meet the Industry & Entrepreneurship Committee
Jeewika Ranaweera, WIE Member-at-Large, Industry Subcommittee Co-Chair
Bio →Jeewika Ranaweera
Jeewika Ranaweera is an engineer, author, illustrator, inventor, and sustainability champion. She is an active volunteer for IEEE Future Directions, IEEE Women in Engineering, IEEE Electron Device Society, and IEEE Engineering Accreditation Activities. Her outstanding contributions led to her induction into IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu as a Professional Member of the Eta Chapter of the Board of Governors in 2023. She is a co-chair of the IEEE Metaverse initiative and also a member-at- large for IEEE Women in Engineering.
Jeewika authored an eBook chronicling her engineering journey for IEEE Women in Engineering, aiming to motivate individuals to pursue careers in STEM fields. Additionally, she illustrated the very first children's book published by IEEE. Recognized as one of the "Women Engineers You Should Know in 2023" by the Society of Women Engineers, she has also been a prominent figure in IEEE WIE Santa Clara Valley, serving as both chair and co-chair. Her dedication earned her the prestigious "Outstanding member who promoted women in engineering" award from IEEE WIE SCV in 2020.
Jeewika is devoted to eliminating bias in artificial intelligence, particularly its discriminatory impact on women and historically marginalized groups. To this end, she initiated a special IEEE Future Directions project aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering digital equity and inclusion for all. As co-chair of the IEEE Metaverse Initiative, she actively addresses the growing digital divide arising from hardware and connectivity disparities. Her commitment is further demonstrated through her frequent tech talks, wherein she sheds light on these crucial issues.
She attained her bachelors degree in computer science and engineering from ISPJAE in Havana, Cuba, followed by her master's and PhD degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada. Throughout her academic journey, Jeewika has contributed to numerous technical journal publications and presented her research at international conferences. Her inventive spirit has resulted in the acquisition of five US Patents.
Jeewika Ranaweera dynamic skills, unwavering dedication to equality in technology, and numerous accolades serve as an inspiration to aspiring engineers worldwide. Through her pioneering work and tireless efforts, she continues to pave the way towards a more inclusive and innovative technological landscape, benefiting individuals from all walks of life.
Neeli Prasad, CEO and Founder, SmartAvatar B.V., Industry Subcommittee Co-Chair
Bio →Neeli Prasad
Dr. Neeli R. Prasad is a global authority in vehicular technologies, wireless communication, cybersecurity, AI, and the Metaverse, with 25+ years of leadership in academia, industry, and startups. She is an accomplished entrepreneur, CEO & Co-Founder of SmartAvatar B.V. (Netherlands & USA), and former Professor at Aarhus University. She also founded the pioneering Living Lab at Aalborg University. Dr. Prasad drives innovation from concept to commercialization and has been recognized by CISCO, HUAWEI, and Nokia. She serves as IEEE VTS VP Membership, Chair of Volunteer Engagement, an elected BoG member, and Treasurer of IEEE WIE. She has chaired over 40 IEEE conferences and led major research programs in the EU and the U.S. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications, authored books, chapters, and global outreach initiatives, her work champions sustainable, inclusive, and socially responsible technology solutions. She is an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer.
Susan Delafuente
Bio: I started my professional career as a Satellite Engineer and grew into a technical Program/Project
Manager with experience at top tier Telecommunications and Networking companies: Equinix Inc., Intel
Corp., Caspian Networks, Lucent Technologies, Avaya Inc., Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Managed globally dispersed teams across the USA, U.K., Brazil, Ukraine, Israel, India, France.
Education:
BS Engineering – Bachelor of Science, San Jose State University, California, USA
MS Systems Engineering / Systems Management – Masters of Science – University of Denver, Denver, USA
Project Management Professional (PMP certified since July 2005)
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP certified since June 2021)
CCNA – Cisco Certificate of Completion (2011 – 2014)
Samar Baba – Product owner
Bio →Samar Baba
Bio: Applied mathematics engineer, a previous entrepreneur, a public speaker and with 7 years of product management/ownership experience.
Kumudhini Ravindra – Chief Mentor & Founder
Bio →Kumudhini Ravindra
Bio: Dr Kumudhini Ravindra is a visionary business leader, a trailblazer in clean technologies, and a passionate advocate for transformative education. With over two and a half decades of experience across diverse domains, she brings a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
As the Chief Mentor & Founder at Blue Lotus INC and Principal Partner – Strategic Innovation, Standards & Sustainability with Innomantra Consulting, Dr. Kumudhini has been instrumental in shaping strategic direction and driving innovation in several organizations. Her multidisciplinary expertise extends to areas such as clean energy modelling, systems thinking, and innovation. She is not only a thought leader but also a hands-on mentor, guiding the next generation of professionals and startups.
