Tuesday 25 August: 09.00 – 10.30
Joint Session 3: IEEE Programs and Initiatives
Meet Our Chair

Wahab Almuhtadi
IEEE Innovation Hub
Time: 9:00 – 9:22
Location: Lomond Auditorium
Speaker

Gerardo Barbosa
IEEE Treasurer
Gerardo Barbosa is the current IEEE Treasurer, Chair of the IEEE Finance Committee, and Chair-Elect of the IEEE Innovation Committee. A longtime IEEE volunteer, he holds graduate degrees from Monterrey Tech and UT Austin and leads a small enterprise software company serving businesses in Mexico and the United States.
Making a Difference Through Public Policy (Global Policy Caucus)
Time: 9:22 – 9:44
Location: Lomond Auditorium
Why is public policy in IEEE’s first strategic goal, what impact has IEEE had on public policy, what difference has it made, and how can Societies and Councils get involved? This IEEE Global Policy Caucus presentation answers these questions and provides information on initiating and engaging in public policy activities.
Speaker

Robby Robson
Chair, IEEE Global Policy Caucus
Robby is chair of the IEEE Global Policy Caucus and has previously served on the Boards of the IEEE Standards Association and of Educational Activities. Robby started his professional career as a research mathematician, moved into learning technology, and co-founded Eduworks Corporation, where he was CEO until 2022. In 2024 he helped start THIA ST Co, an AI startup that offers a cost-effective, self-regulating, no-code platform for agentic AI applications. His interests include helping STEM professionals manage and advance their careers and promoting evidence and science-based national and global policies related to standards, open source, and AI.
Partnering with Humanitarian Technologies
Time: 9:44 – 10:06
Location: Lomond Auditorium
This breakout session will explore lessons from the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies–ITU GenAI for Good Challenge regarding AI deployments in health, agriculture, and climate. It showcases real-world pilots, providing insights into scaling Generative AI for sustainable development impact across three country use cases.
Speaker

Grayson Randall
Chair, IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board
Grayson Randall is an IEEE Senior Member, serving as the 2025–2026 Chair of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board and as Operations Lead for IEEE MOVE in the United States. In this role, he oversees the IEEE MOVE emergency response trucks and associated systems, which are deployed nationwide to provide communications support during natural disasters. He also contributes to the IEEE Future Directions Committee and remains actively engaged in IEEE Region 3 initiatives. Professionally, his background spans digital communications, robotics, public safety, and emergency response.
Growing Brand Visibility & Relevance
Time: 10:06 – 10:30
Location: Lomond Auditorium
Speaker

Jayne O’Brien
Jayne O’Brien joined IEEE as Chief Marketing Officer in August 2025. Jayne has extensive experience in leading Brand, Marketing, Communications & Commercial leadership strategies in Global organizations such as JetBlue, InterContinental Hotels Group, British Airways, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Regus PLC and Dubai Properties Group. She has lived and worked in multiple markets including the USA, UK, Dubai, Mexico & Croatia. Prior to joining IEEE Jayne was SVP Head of Marketing, Brand, Product & Customer support at JetBlue, responsible for the airline’s Brand, marketing, advertising, customer insight, Customer support and its highly awarded onboard product. Jayne previously also served as SVP Global Brands and Marketing Services at the InterContinental Hotel group, where she was responsible for leading the global hotel brand portfolio, customer insight and Marketing services teams, as Managing Director USA for Scenic Luxury Cruises, Chief marketing officer at Dubai Properties Group in Dubai, Chief Marketing officer at Regus in the UK as well as a number of senior roles leading Brand, Marketing and commercial teams at British Airways.Her profes sional background has also included a Board position on the JetBlue Foundation, which is committed to championing STEM education and creating career pathways for the next generation in aviation in addition to being a fellow and mentor of the Marketing Academy (TMA). Jayne graduated from London University. She also spent time at Zagreb University, Croatia, as well as attending Ashridge Management College in the UK and Harvard Business School.
