Strategic Leadership Drives IEEE Mission to Advance Technology for Humanity

October 16, 2025

When the organizations that would eventually become IEEE were founded nearly a century and a half ago, the emergence of the new discipline of electrical engineering marked the beginning of a golden age. These fields have evolved from the initial harnessing of electric power and lighting, through early wired communications, to radio and electronics, and onward into computing and computer science. IEEE’s areas of interest encompass an increasingly diverse range of technologies, including cloud computing, satellite communications, advanced networks, artificial intelligence, and quantum fields. Electrical engineering, electronics and computing are at the heart of advances that are now synonymous with modern technology.

What will the next five years bring?

The frontiers of technology are changing quickly. As the lead organization gathering so much expertise across technical communities, it’s important that we lead in identifying where those technologies can have the biggest impact on society.

The fact of the matter is that there is no organization quite like IEEE. We’re globally recognized for our ability to unite the brightest minds on the planet to tackle the challenges that shape humanity’s future. Although our roots are in electrical, electronic, and computer engineering, the expertise of our members extends far beyond these fields. And they lend that expertise to benefit public policy, sustainability, ethical design, and many other humanitarian initiatives.

When I was running to become the 2025 IEEE President, my campaign centered on a theme of transformational leadership. Some of that theme drew on the personal motivation that I bring to my professional mission. I believe we’re called to leave both people and projects better off than they were before our involvement. If I’ve spent time in a meeting, the meeting should be better off because of whatever contribution I made. Some of that theme was also organizational: How can we ensure that such a large organization as IEEE continues to fulfill its mission of advancing technology for the benefit of humanity for years to come?

Our 2025-2030 Strategic Goals provide some guidance.

● Advance science and technology as a trusted source for research, standards, and policy

● Drive innovation while promoting scientific integrity and ethical technology development

● Enable collaboration across industry, academia and government for interdisciplinary research

● Inspire the next generation of technology innovators through discovery and invention

● Expand public awareness of engineering and technology’s global impact

● Empower professionals through education, mentoring and networking opportunities

All of these goals are important for the imperative that IEEE serves as a vital pathway for our members’ career success. Through this, if done right and well, we will be able to apply technical expertise for the betterment of society. It is, after all, going to be the job of our next generation to define what it means to be a technologist well into the future.

About the author: Kathleen Kramer is 2025 IEEE President & CEO.