{"686535":{"#nid":"686535","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Jill Gostin Elected 2026 IEEE President-Elect","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Eill I. Gostin, a former longtime research leader at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has been elected to serve as the President-Elect of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), marking a significant achievement in her decades of technical and professional leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer term will begin with a year as President-Elect in 2026, followed by her full year as President in 2027 and service as Past President in 2028.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin retired from GTRI in April 2025, concluding a career that spanned multiple decades, divisions, and leadership roles. She served in the Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory (SEAL) and the Information and Communications Laboratory (ICL), and was appointed Deputy Director of ICL in 2015. Over the years, she worked on high-impact programs involving sensor systems, systems engineering, and technology integration for the Department of Defense (now the Department of War) and other national partners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile she demonstrated great technical acumen during her time at GTRI, Gostin says it was her experience leading teams at GTRI that most directly prepared her for leadership in IEEE.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt GTRI, I led teams that spanned multiple labs and worked closely with partners across government, industry, and other research organizations,\u201d she said. \u201cWithin IEEE, I lead global teams that include members from academia, government, and industry\u2014all with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEric Grigorian, a Principal Research Engineer in ASL, has worked alongside Jill at both GTRI and IEEE. He was effusive in his praise of Gostin.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I have known Jill since before I joined GTRI. She has been an exceptional mentor, colleague, and friend,\u0022 he said. \u0022Through my time at GTRI, I have had the opportunity to work with her on employee awards, recognition, and promotion initiatives, as well as externally through IEEE activities, particularly in my current role as IEEE Region 3 Director (Southeast USA).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Jill is highly organized, detail-oriented, and consistently provides thoughtful, unbiased perspectives when approached for advice. Her strong leadership abilities and dedication will undoubtedly enable her to serve IEEE and its members with distinction as IEEE President-Elect, President, and Past President over the next three years.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EColleagues Laud Jill Gostin\u0027s Leadership\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJill\u0027s former colleague Michele Burts, a research associate in ICL, praised Gostin\u0027s leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Jill was my Deputy Lab Director in ICL, and she was a great, compassionate leader who valued my uniqueness as a professional.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJill credits GTRI with sharpening her collaborative leadership skills, especially across mission-driven teams and stakeholder environments. She says GTRI also helped her develop the nuanced judgment required to lead large organizations with clarity and care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cEach experience at GTRI and at IEEE, whether resolving a complex issue, re-planning a project, or working with a challenging stakeholder, has helped me grow as a leader, colleague, and collaborator,\u201d she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStephen Welby, GTRI\u0027s Deputy Director, Research, echoed Jill\u0027s sentiments. Dr. Welby also has experience in a leadership role for IEEE. He was\u0026nbsp;Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the organization from 2018 - 2022.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022As the 2027 President of IEEE, Jill will have an enormous opportunity to engage globally to advance the engineering profession and demonstrate the ability of technology to benefit humanity,\u0022 he said. \u0022Her work and leadership at GTRI have prepared her well for this role as our core values are also centered on growing technical leaders, advancing the security and economic well-being of our communities, and improving the human condition.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne notable difference between the two environments, she added, is that IEEE is a volunteer-driven organization, which requires a different leadership approach. \u201cMotivating and supporting volunteers requires a very different leadership approach, one that depends on shared purpose, respect, and inspiration rather than formal authority.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin said she is especially thankful for GTRI\u2019s encouragement of her service activities and the recognition that her leadership roles in IEEE also brought value back to GTRI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe labs I served in (SEAL and ICL) recognized that high-level leadership roles within IEEE also benefited GTRI by strengthening its technical and professional network and its recognition as a leading research organization.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin\u2019s election is the culmination of over 25 years of IEEE membership and 18 years of sustained volunteer service. As she became more actively involved in IEEE, \u0026nbsp;it quickly became a professional and personal passion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThose years cultivated my passion for leadership through volunteer work\u0026nbsp;with scouts, my church, and other community efforts. I realized how much I enjoyed helping people grow and succeed,\u201d she said. \u201cI found those same opportunities through IEEE, which gave me invaluable leadership experience that later helped me advance into higher-level management roles at GTRI.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Jill is a respected leader and role model at GTRI and in the broader technical community,\u0022 said Leda Sox, a Senior Research Scientist in EOSL. \u0022She has inspired many researchers, especially female researchers, to chart their own career paths.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESox added: \u0022Jill likes to emphasize that IEEE is a professional society that has grown to encompass all technology professions. This personally helped motivate me, as a physicist, to become involved as an officer in the local IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society\/Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (AESS\/GRSS) Atlanta joint chapter.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose sentiments were echoed by Margaret Loper, a Regents\u0027 Researcher in ICL, and herself a legendary longtime GTRI researcher.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Jill is a dedicated leader who cares deeply about mentoring and career development, especially for women who have had nontraditional career paths. It is one of her many accomplishments that was recognized when she won the 2016 Georgia Woman of the Year in Technology (WIT) award,\u0022 said Dr. Loper.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin\u0027s IEEE colleagues welcome her leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022I cannot understate how impactful Jill has been to my professional development ever since we first met at a local IEEE event. Her early support set me up with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the unique challenges I face as a research engineer and IEEE volunteer,\u0022 said Nelson Lourenco, a Principal Research Engineer in SEAL and IEEE Atlanta Section Executive Committee Vice Chair.\u0026nbsp;\u0022Years later, Jill is still a valuable mentor and has always set aside time to help me whenever I need it. I cannot think of a better person to lead IEEE to a brighter future.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJill believed in me before I believed in myself. She was the first to say, \u0027Go for it\u2014and how can I help?\u0027\u0022 said\u0026nbsp;Melody Richardson, IEEE Atlanta Section Educational Activities Chair.\u0026nbsp;\u0022From that moment, she\u2019s been a steady source of guidance and encouragement. Mentorship is more than advice\u2014it\u2019s belief. Jill lit the spark that launched my journey into STEM outreach, just as she has for so many others. I can\u2019t think of a better leader to guide IEEE into the future.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The fact that Jill is always willing to mentor junior engineers makes her a unique leader. She has not only excelled at GTRI but also held critical roles that led to the continued success of IEEE,\u0022 said\u0026nbsp;Tamseel Syed, IEEE Atlanta Section\u2013Executive Committee Chair.\u0026nbsp;\u0022Jill has been a true source of inspiration during my volunteer journey in IEEE. She\u2019s always listened and welcomed novel ideas. Moreover, she identifies development\/recognition opportunities personalized for each IEEE volunteer, which signifies their relevance. The innovative programs implemented during her leadership of MGA (IEEE\u0026nbsp;Member \u0026amp; Geographic Activities) helped drive higher IEEE membership value. She\u2019s an avid supporter of the local IEEE Atlanta community, especially its volunteers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Given her passion and dedication to IEEE, it\u2019s no surprise that she will be the President-Elect of IEEE in 2026!\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough her IEEE work, Gostin\u0026nbsp;has built lasting relationships, expanded her technical interests, and developed a global perspective on engineering leadership. She has held numerous senior roles in the organization, including serving on the IEEE Board of Directors and as the 2023 IEEE Vice President, Member and Geographic Activities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWinning this election has provided me an even greater opportunity to give back to the organization that has so profoundly shaped my career and personal growth,\u201d she said, \u201cand to help ensure IEEE continues to empower and inspire the next generation of engineers and technologists worldwide.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin\u2019s priorities for her presidential term reflect her commitment to collaboration and professional development. She emphasized that, while the presidency is a one-year term, it is part of a broader three-year leadership continuum that includes the President-Elect and Past President roles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong her stated goals:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExpand support across the career lifecycle\u003C\/strong\u003E\u2014from students to retirees\u2014through personalized learning pathways, tailored educational resources, and enhanced professional development.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvance multidisciplinary innovation and collaboration\u003C\/strong\u003E by fostering broad-impact technical projects, competitions, and initiatives.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnhance the member experience\u003C\/strong\u003E by strengthening volunteer support and delivering global-scale activities with meaningful local engagement.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELead responsibly\u003C\/strong\u003E by championing ethical excellence and ensuring IEEE remains the trusted global voice in standards and technology policy.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBroaden outreach and public awareness\u003C\/strong\u003E of the transformative impact of engineering and technology worldwide.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ECommitted to Service\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJill strongly encourages others, especially early-career GTRI researchers, to engage with professional societies such as IEEE.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I reviewed annual evaluations or participated in hiring decisions, I always took note when someone was actively involved in a professional organization,\u201d she said. \u201cIt demonstrated their commitment to their field and their willingness to collaborate and contribute beyond their immediate role.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin stressed that true involvement goes beyond just membership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy active involvement, I mean more than just membership. I am referring to volunteering, serving on committees, organizing events, leading projects, reviewing articles, etc,\u0022 she said. \u0022This kind of engagement strengthens your resume, expands your professional network, provides access to technical and leadership training, and opens doors to experiences you may not find in your day-to-day job.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin also pointed to her volunteer work with IEEE\u2019s MOVE Disaster Relief program, supporting recovery efforts alongside the Red Cross in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and India, as one of the most meaningful parts of her professional journey. \u0022Every contribution to the MOVE program helps advance technology for the benefit of humanity.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat also made an impression on Margaret Loper:\u0026nbsp;\u0022She is also committed to helping people and mobilizing IEEE resources in times of peril. My in-laws still talk about the time she asked the IEEE MOVE truck to check on them after Hurricane Michael in 2018. IEEE is very fortunate to have her as its president-elect. She will represent them with integrity and respect.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGostin recommends that everyone try to combine research and service: \u201cI encourage everyone to find their own ways to become involved in their professional society, based on their own interests and goals!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUltimately, my time at GTRI honed my ability to lead diverse, mission-driven teams: a skill that continues to shape my leadership approach within IEEE today.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWriter: \u003Cstrong\u003EChristopher Weems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGTRI Communications\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech Research Institute\u003Cbr\u003EAtlanta, Georgia\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).\u202fFounded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 3,000 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $919 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry.\u202fGTRI\u0027s renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJill I. Gostin, a former longtime research leader at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has been elected to serve as the President-Elect of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), marking a significant achievement in her decades of technical and professional leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer term will begin with a year as President-Elect in 2026, followed by her full year as President in 2027 and service as Past President in 2028.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Jill I. Gostin, a former longtime research leader at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has been elected to serve as the President-Elect of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)."}],"uid":"35875","created_gmt":"2025-11-19 16:43:08","changed_gmt":"2025-11-19 16:47:04","author":"cweems8","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-11-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678669":{"id":"678669","type":"image","title":"Jill-Gostin--2025-headshot.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJill I. 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