Lunch and Learn with IEEE Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Sophia Muirhead
Join us for an insightful speech by Sophia Muirhead, IEEE Executive Director and Chief Operations
Officer, on the essence of leadership! Gain valuable insights on how to lead with humility, empathy, and
respect. Learn to nurture strengths, embrace risks, and foster a collaborative and inclusive environment.
Discover the importance of continuous learning and adapting to change, and understand how to balance
personal well-being with professional responsibilities. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your
leadership skills and drive positive change.
Talking Points:
● Unique Leadership Reflections:
○ Personal insights on leadership gathered over many years.
○ Emphasis on the importance of humility and learning from others.
● Core Leadership Values:
○ Humility: Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.
○ Empathy: Understanding and supporting team members as whole individuals.
○ Respect: Treating everyone with courtesy and dignity, regardless of their position.
● Continuous Learning and Curiosity:
○ Staying informed and adapting to changes in the world.
○ Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation.
● Collaborative Decision-Making:
○ Involving team members in decision-making processes.
○ Encouraging open dialogue and valuing diverse opinions.
● Nurturing Strengths and Independence:
○ Focusing on developing team members’ strengths.
○ Promoting independence and avoiding micromanagement.
● Embracing Risks and Learning from Failures:
○ Taking calculated risks to drive innovation.
○ Learning from failures and adapting to new challenges.
● Self-Care and Personal Time:
○ Importance of setting aside time for personal well-being.
○ Strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
● Inspiring and Empowering Others:
○ Leading by example and inspiring others to achieve excellence.
○ Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 13 Aug 2024
- Time: 12:00 PM to 01:00 PM
- All times are (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
-
Add Event to Calendar
- Starts 01 July 2024 06:00 AM
- Ends 13 August 2024 11:00 AM
- All times are (UTC-05:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Sophia Muirhead
Biography:
Professional Experience
Sophia (“Sophie”) Muirhead was appointed by the Board of Directors of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as
the organization’s Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in January 2023, becoming the first female and first person
of color to hold this role in IEEE’s 140-year history. IEEE, with over 460,000 volunteers in 190 countries, is a public charity with a mission
to advance technology for the benefit of humanity. Sophie is responsible for managing a global staff of over 1,100 employees and
overseeing a business enterprise with annual revenues exceeding $600 million, ensuring the organization’s continued growth and
success.
Before assuming the role of Executive Director and COO, Sophie served as IEEE's General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for
four years. During this time, she provided invaluable legal counsel and business advice to the organization's Board of Directors,
Presidents and CEOs, senior volunteer leaders, and global staff. Her expertise and trusted guidance enabled IEEE to effectively
navigate complex legal and compliance matters, and maintain its position as a leader in its industry.
Sophie's professional experience prior to joining IEEE in 2019 includes a distinguished tenure of two decades at The Conference Board
(TCB), a preeminent global economic think tank and business membership organization established in 1917. During her time there,
she held several leadership roles, including serving as TCB's inaugural Chief Legal Officer, where she successfully established a legal
team and built an internal legal function from the ground up. She also held various operations positions, including overseeing TCB's
Marketing and Communications Center. Her extensive background in legal affairs and operational management has been
instrumental in her ability to effectively lead and drive organizational success. Sophie’s expertise was profiled in Vanguard Law.
Education
Sophie earned her Juris Doctorate from the Harvard Law School, where she excelled as an editor and contributor to the prestigious
Harvard International Law Journal. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science
from Hunter College, graduating with high honors (magna cum laude). In addition to her academic achievements at Harvard and
Hunter, Sophie has pursued studies at both Boston University and the University of London, demonstrating her dedication to
academic excellence and continual professional development.
Professional Memberships and Community Involvement
Sophie is a member of several prominent professional organizations, including the National Association of Corporate Directors, the
New York State Bar Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel. In addition, as part of her commitment to supporting and
advancing education and engineering initiatives, she serves on the Boards of Trustees of the Hunter College Foundation and the
United Engineering Foundation.
Address:United States