IEEE President-Elect Candidates Address Computer Society Concerns
IEEE President-Elect candidates answer questions that impact our Society.
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As the largest IEEE Society, the IEEE Computer Society (CS) serves computing and IT professionals at all levels of their careers, through IEEE’s network of more than 400,000 members in 168 countries. The IEEE president and Board of Directors define a vision for the organization, and therefore, the decisions they make and plans they put in place impact us as IEEE CS members and volunteers.
To ensure IEEE CS members are well informed about the candidates on the IEEE election slate, the CS asked the IEEE president-elect candidates for their responses to four important questions that affect our Society and membership. The questions and candidates’ responses (limited to 250 words each) are provided here.
Please take a few moments to read what these candidates have to say, and be sure to vote in the election, which opens on 17 August 2026 and closes at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time USA/16:00 UTC on 1 October 2026.
For full information on IEEE president-elect candidates, along with their personal statements and lists of accomplishments, please visit www.ieee.org/elections.
In addition, we encourage all eligible IEEE members to participate in this important ballot process. We also remind and encourage you to cast your votes for the Computer Society Election by 12:00 p.m. Noon Eastern Time on Friday, 18 September 2026.
—Joaquim Jorge, IEEE Computer Society President-Elect 2026
IEEE President-Elect Candidates
Below are the IEEE President-Elect candidates for 2027. The 2027 President-Elect will become President in 2028.
The sequence of candidates was determined by a lottery process, and indicates no preference.
Manfred "Fred" J. Schindler
(Nominated by IEEE Board of Directors)
Consultant
Newtonville, Massachusetts, USA
Fred Schindler has focused on the development of microwave semiconductor technology and managing engineering organizations in a career spanning nascent GaAs MMIC technology through the production of high-volume commercial products. He is an independent consultant, supporting clients with technical expertise, due diligence, and project management. He previously served as Chief Technology Officer for Anlotek, Director of RFMD/Qorvo’s Boston Design Center, Applications Manager for IBM Microelectronics Wireless Products, Engineering Manager at ATN Microwave, and Microwave Circuits Research Lab Manager at Raytheon. He has 11 patents and numerous technical publications.
He has been an active IEEE volunteer for 30+ years, including Vice President Technical Activities 2024, Division IV Director 2021-2022, IEEE Conferences Committee Chair 2015-2018, MTT-S President 2003. His award-winning column has been featured in IEEE Microwave Magazine since 2011. He received MTT’s Distinguished Service Award and is an Honorary Life Member. He is an HKN member and an IEEE Fellow.
David Alan Koehler
(Nominated by IEEE Board of Directors)
Executive Advisor
Danovo Energy Solutions
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
David served in every Geographic Unit level within IEEE. Starting out as a Section Treasurer and ultimately being the Vice President for Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) in 2022.
He served on IEEE’s MGA, IEEE-USA, and EAB Major Boards and Representative to TAB, PSPB, and currently Standards Association, along with the IEEE Board of Directors three different years.
This year David serves as the Chair of the Initiatives Subcommittee for IEEE’s Technology for a Sustainable Climate Matrix Organization (TSCMO). He is also serving as Region 4’s Advisor and Volunteer Chief of Staff.
David has Chaired, Co-Chaired, or been a member of numerous IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committees.
He is an Executive Advisor at Danovo Energy Solutions, has provided numerous technical presentations, and published technical articles within the power industry.
David is a proud member of Women in Engineering (WIE) affinity group and our honor society: IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN).
Question 1
Responsible AI and Trust
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming engineering practice, education, publishing, standards development, and professional certification. Beyond general statements about ethics, what specific actions would you take as IEEE President to ensure that IEEE becomes a global leader in responsible AI, particularly regarding transparency, accountability, intellectual property, misinformation, and workforce development?
Schindler’s Response
Schindler. AI has impacted virtually all aspects of society. This is IEEE’s opportunity to lead. Too often we are timid. We are effective at convening, but not at developing a meaningful voice. AI cuts across all of IEEE – all our technical, geographic and functional areas. The impact extends well beyond IEEE. Our structure for supporting broad topics like this must be improved upon. I will focus on building an AI Advisory Council of leaders in industry, government and academia to provide this meaningful voice. This builds on the work of the AI Coalition by leveraging our expertise and our connections throughout the organization, with industry leaders, academic leaders, and government officials in multiple jurisdictions.
The Advisory Council will collect perspectives and assess impacts to provide guidance inside and outside of IEEE. It will make policy recommendations via the Global Policy Caucus and IEEE entities represented in it. We must continually interact internally and update our guidance. This is not a short-term project; we must also develop a lasting organizational structure and support mechanism. If we are to fulfill our mission to advance technology for the benefit of humanity, we must put ourselves at the center of the discussions and considerations of AI.
We must also be at the forefront of the development of future AI models – more efficient, with fewer shortcomings — supporting the forums for this focus. And finally, we must embrace AI in our operations and infrastructure, providing better services and support to our volunteers and members.
Koehler’s Response
Koehler. As IEEE President, I would position IEEE as a global trusted leader in responsible AI through the following specific actions:
- Encourage AI systems to provide clear documentation of training data sources, intended uses, and limitations to enable greater transparency.
- Promote standards for AI auditability, explainability, independent assessment, and human oversight. IEEE should define clear responsibilities for developers and operators of AI systems.
- Establish clear policies on AI-assisted authorship, disclosure requirements, content source, and copyright protection. It should be disclosed when AI contributed to published content.
- Advance standards for content authentication, watermarking, content tracking, and fake media detection. IEEE can bring together researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to build trust in digital information.
- Establish a global AI workforce Initiative focused on education and certification. Through accessible training programs and industry, academia, and government partnerships, IEEE can help professionals worldwide adapt to AI-driven change and ensure that the benefits of ethical AI use are communicated to technologists globally.
Question 2
The Young Professional “Fee Shock”
Many student members leave IEEE shortly after graduation when they transition from discounted student rates to full professional membership fees. What specific measures would you introduce to create a smoother pathway from student member to young professional, and how would you measure success in improving retention during the first five years after graduation?
Schindler’s Response
Schindler. The fee shock for students transitioning to full membership must be addressed. The lack of perceived membership value also needs to be part of the discussion. We should continue evaluating gradual dues transitions. I would introduce a monthly fee structure, analogous to how many subscription services operate. My primary focus will be on demonstrating and creating more value. There is value in participating, contributing and volunteering in our communities. We must also better understand the needs of all our professionals in their various industries. We must do this cohort by cohort – developing problem statements, then prototyping solutions. This will inevitably include AI, both to improve services and products, and to support young professionals navigating the disruptions AI brings to the workplace. This is a time of unprecedented change, and a critical obligation for IEEE to support the profession.
We must also focus on improving IEEE’s visibility. If industries better understand and value IEEE and what it contributes, they will be more supportive of their employees joining, participating, and volunteering. As an organization, we have been content to be a catalyst for advancing technology without worrying if the world takes notice. We must actively promote what we do, especially to industry, with a goal of increasing their appreciation of IEEE’s mission and role. Earlier in my career my employers covered my dues – let’s bring that back by demonstrating our value to industry employers. We should also think beyond that, considering institutional membership models that cover dues while maintaining individual connections.
Koehler’s Response
Koehler. The transition from student member to a young professional in IEEE is challenging to many graduates as they face financial challenges, changing priorities, and uncertainty about the true value of professional memberships. As IEEE President, I would focus on making this transition seamless, affordable, and professionally rewarding.
I would introduce a membership fee structure that increases membership rates over a five-year period following graduation. This would help reduce some of the financial barriers of our student members becoming Young Professionals within IEEE.
I would expand career-focused benefits targeted specifically towards members in their first five years after graduation. These would include mentoring programs, leadership development opportunities, networking events, certifications, and professional skills training. Young Professionals should view IEEE as a partner in their career growth.
Success will be measured by the following:
- First-year retention after graduation.
- Three-year and five-year membership retention rates. Previous IEEE member segmentation surveys show a clear correlation between engaging members in their first three years of membership and IEEE retaining Young Professional members.
- Young Professional satisfaction and engagement surveys.
- Growth in volunteer leadership roles held by Young Professionals.
Young Professionals need to view IEEE as a partner in building a successful and impactful career.
Question 3
Membership Value and Affordability
IEEE members perceive membership costs have increased, while many members, particularly those in emerging economies, academia, startups, and early-career positions, face growing financial pressures. While IEEE offers discounted fees based on country, employment status, income, recent graduate status, and other special circumstances, there is a growing perception that even these fees remain a barrier for members. Are the discounted fees not low enough? What other ways would you balance IEEE’s financial sustainability with the need to keep membership affordable and demonstrate clear value for members worldwide?
Schindler’s Response
Schindler. Based on cost relative to income, IEEE and Computer Society dues are not affordable in all locations or for all circumstances, even when our various discounts are applied. Dues discounts are based on World Bank gross national income, but these don’t reflect all situations adequately. While IEEE dues can be as low as $38, they remain disproportionate as a percentage of income, especially when compared to economically advantaged nations such as the US. Economically disadvantaged areas are where IEEE can have the greatest impact, and where professionals have the greatest need of support. The most practical remedy is to base dues more proportionally on local economic measures.
Regardless of location, we must focus more on the value of membership. This also varies by location and individual circumstances. We must empower groups around the globe to engage in and create meaningful activities to support technical communities. We can make use of IEEE’s new Innovation Process to encourage members to create proposals for products, services and activities that support technical communities. This extends to investing in future technical communities. Let’s empower future generations to become future technology leaders, regardless of where they are. Let’s embrace AI as a tool to achieve this goal. Let’s focus on supporting all our professionals. Let’s provide our members and volunteers with opportunities to innovate. Let’s enhance their professional skillsets.
Koehler’s Response
Koehler. As IEEE President, I would assess whether our current discounted fees are sufficiently aligned with local economic realities. Current discounted membership rates may still represent a significant burden for members in emerging economies, academia, startups, or early-career roles. IEEE needs to regularly review membership pricing models using economic indicators to ensure affordable IEEE membership for technologists globally.
Perceived membership value is also a critical factor that must be examined. Our member segmentation survey provides valuable information as to why individuals join IEEE and what products and services are important to each segment of our global membership. We need to do a better job of communicating all the wonderful opportunities IEEE provides our members.
IEEE’s financial sustainability is essential. I would expand industry partnerships, professional education programs and certifications, conferences and publishing, continuing education offerings, and corporate memberships to help offset any additional future discounted membership fees.
Question 4
Inter-Society Collaboration and “One IEEE”
Many of today’s most important challenges, including AI, cybersecurity, digital health, sustainability, quantum technologies, and extended reality, span multiple disciplines and IEEE organizational units. These cross-cutting topics are currently covered by existing entities such as Councils, Future Directions Committee, and TC 2.0. However, these multi-disciplinary topics may require a more coordinated approach than existing mechanisms provide. What mechanisms would you introduce to promote meaningful collaboration among Societies, Councils, Technical Communities, and the Standards Association while preserving their autonomy and technical identities?
Schindler’s Response
Schindler. Computer Society is marking its 80th anniversary and has much to be proud of. Many IEEE entities – Societies, Councils, Sections, Chapters, Technical Committees – have existed for decades. There is tremendous value in these organizations, their rich traditions, and strong communities. Many members are more closely bound to these organizations than to IEEE. Members first engage with, and become active in, one of these entities. Unsurprisingly, many active members are not well versed in all the other organizations and activities across the IEEE.
Technology has become increasingly interdisciplinary, such that the technical boundaries we created decades ago no longer align with reality. Similarly, our historic geographic boundaries are less meaningful, with many people collaborating across geographies and working remotely. Rather than blow up our existing structures and destroy our vibrant existing communities, we need to focus on making it easier to work across our traditional boundaries. We can provide incentives to collaborate across boundaries.
Although collaborative mechanisms, including Councils, Future Directions, and Technical Communities exist, these must be revitalized and evolved. Some of our societies’ fields of interest cut across all technical domains and they might be better suited as councils. Computer Society has strong Technical Committees, and these should also serve as collaboration vehicles.
We should provide financial incentives for significant cross-organization collaborations. So, for example, if regions, societies, Standards and the Humanitarian Technologies Board have a great project idea, let’s make it easy to set up, and provide adequate supplementary funding.
Koehler’s Response
Koehler. Many of the most important technology challenges facing society today are inherently multidisciplinary. AI, cybersecurity, digital health, sustainability, quantum technologies, and extended reality do not fit precisely within a single Society, Council, or organizational unit. IEEE needs stronger “One IEEE” coordination without diminishing the autonomy and technical excellence of individual IEEE entities.
As IEEE President, I would introduce the following mechanisms to enhance collaboration:
- Develop a technology collaboration committee where we can align priorities, share knowledge, and accelerate action. IEEE must be able to evolve quickly in handling these multi-disciplinary topics.
- Promote collaborative roadmaps for emerging technologies. These roadmaps would identify research priorities, standard needs, educational opportunities, workforce implications, and public policy considerations.
- Expand funding opportunities for: joint conferences, cross-society publications, multi-disciplinary standards development activities, collaborative educational programs and certifications, and strategic initiatives involving multiple IEEE entities.
IEEE needs to operate as a connected organization, where Societies, Councils, Technical Communities, and the Standards Association retain their unique identities and strengths while collaborating on multi-disciplinary topics.
Question 5
Publishing, Open Science, and AI-Assisted Scholarship
The scholarly communication landscape is undergoing profound change due to open access, generative AI, data-sharing requirements, and evolving expectations around reproducibility. What is your vision for IEEE publications over the next decade, and how will you ensure that IEEE remains both financially sustainable and scientifically trustworthy?
Schindler’s Response
Schindler. While scholarly communications are going through a period of rapid change, Open Access is no longer the dominant driver. Generative AI is.
We must adapt to AI’s impact on the scholarly publishing landscape more urgently. We can’t avoid AI – we must embrace it. We have a stop-gap policy in place, but given the rapid evolution in AI and scholarly publishing, it’s already out of date. We must continually adapt. We must understand that AI is being used by authors, reviewers, and readers. Our ecosystem must not only accept that reality, it must embrace it, or we will be left behind. There is value in a deliberate pace to adapt to change, but not in a dynamically evolving landscape. We must ensure that we continue to provide a trusted platform for all, and it needs to accommodate AI. Our publishing infrastructure must incorporate AI.
Research reproducibility and the need for data sharing have been growing issues for over a decade. In the AI era it is of even greater concern. IEEE has had a rudimentary data sharing platform that will benefit from a comprehensive update. We also have the IEEE Data Descriptors journal. We need to go further by encouraging the sharing of data and providing tools to review data. This becomes part of the increasing peer review challenge in reviewing scholarly communications, further demonstrating the need for an IEEE AI enabled publishing ecosystem. Finally, we must encourage the publication of reproducibility work as a vital component of scholarly communications.
Koehler’s Response
Koehler. The scholarly communication landscape is undergoing significant transformation. Open access, generative AI, data-sharing requirements, and reproducibility expectations are reshaping how research is created, reviewed, disseminated, and trusted.
IEEE must maintain its position as the gold standard for scientific quality, integrity, and trust. While AI can accelerate research and publishing workflows, it cannot replace rigorous peer review, expert judgment, or ethical responsibility. I would support clear policies requiring disclosure of AI-assisted content creation, enhanced tools for detecting misconduct, and greater transparency in the review process.
IEEE must embrace open science while maintaining financial sustainability. Researchers increasingly expect broader access to publications and supporting materials. IEEE should continue expanding flexible publishing models that include subscription, hybrid, and open-access options while ensuring that publication opportunities remain accessible to authors regardless of funding availability. As the largest technical organization in the world, we should focus on global knowledge dissemination without creating barriers for researchers or institutions.
IEEE can lead by developing best practices and create an infrastructure that make publishing results easier to validate. As IEEE President, I will ensure IEEE publications remain financially strong while serving as the most trusted technical source globally.