IEEE New Zealand Presidential Address 2026: Featuring IEEE President and CEO Mary Ellen Randall
The IEEE New Zealand community is honoured to welcome Mary Ellen Randall, 2026 IEEE President and CEO, for a special Presidential Address bringing together IEEE members, students, professionals, and the wider technology community from across New Zealand.
In her address, “Innovation With Heart: Advancing Technology for Humanity,” President Randall will reflect on the extraordinary pace of technological change — spanning artificial intelligence, computing, power and energy systems, devices, and global infrastructure — and on the important role IEEE members play in shaping that transformation.
The address will highlight how technological leadership can combine innovation, service, collaboration, and a strong focus on human and community needs, while celebrating the diversity and collective strength of IEEE’s global community.
This will be a hybrid national event, hosted in person at The University of Auckland and accessible online to participants throughout New Zealand.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the IEEE President and CEO and to engage with IEEE’s vision for advancing technology for humanity.
Title
Innovation With Heart: Advancing Technology for Humanity
Abstract
Join IEEE President Mary Ellen Randall for an inspiring call to lead with heart, serve with purpose, and accelerate innovation that strengthens communities around the world.
The address will explore the extraordinary pace of technological change — from artificial intelligence and computing to power systems, devices, and global infrastructure — while recognising the IEEE members who help guide this transformation through compassion, creativity, and collaboration.
The presentation will also celebrate the diversity, creativity, and collective strength of IEEE’s worldwide community, highlighting how meaningful technological progress emerges when innovation is grounded in human needs and shaped by those closest to their communities.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- Building 405, Room 470
- 20 Symonds St, The University of Auckland
- Auckland, North Island
- New Zealand
Speakers
Mary Ellen of IEEE
Innovation With Heart: Advancing Technology for Humanity
Join IEEE President Mary Ellen Randall for an inspiring call to lead with heart, serve with purpose, and accelerate innovation that strengthens communities around the world.
The address will explore the extraordinary pace of technological change — from artificial intelligence and computing to power systems, devices, and global infrastructure — while recognising the IEEE members who help guide this transformation through compassion, creativity, and collaboration.
The presentation will also celebrate the diversity, creativity, and collective strength of IEEE’s worldwide community, highlighting how meaningful technological progress emerges when innovation is grounded in human needs and shaped by those closest to their communities.
Biography:
Mary Ellen Randall is an IEEE Life Fellow and a member of the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society.
She held a range of technical and management positions at IBM, including an international assignment and roles spanning hardware and software development, digital video chips, client/server services, network management, operating systems, and test design automation. She routinely managed projects on an international scale.
Her extensive IEEE leadership experience includes serving on the IEEE Board of Directors as IEEE Treasurer, IEEE Vice President of Member and Geographic Activities (MGA), and Region 3 Director, as well as serving as IEEE Women in Engineering Committee Chair, among other leadership positions.
She created and developed the IEEE MOVE International Community Outreach Program, supporting disaster relief and STEM education. Her contributions have been recognised with several awards, including the IEEE Haraden Pratt Award.
Ms. Randall is also the founder and CEO of Ascot Technologies, Inc., an award-winning software company developing enterprise applications using mobile delivery technologies. She has been recognised as a top Woman in Business in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina and was named to Business Leader Magazine’s Impact 100 list.
She holds an M.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Mathematics from Binghamton University.
Agenda
4:45–5:30 pm — Registration, light refreshments and networking
In-person attendees
5:30–6:30 pm — Presidential Seminar by IEEE President Mary Ellen Randall
Innovation With Heart: Advancing Technology for Humanity