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The biography and position statement for the 2012 IEEE Secretary is listed below.
Celia L. Desmond
Celia Desmond, World Class – Telecommunications, provides training in telecommunications management. She has lectured internationally on programs for success. In 2010 and 2011 she managed the migration of a Canadian bank network to MPLS. As Stentor Director - Industry Liaison she was instrumental in establishing new culture and processes. At Bell Canada, Celia provided strategic direction to corporate planners, ran technology/service trials, standardized equipment, and provided support for large business clients.
She teaches courses on Project Management for University of Toronto, World Class Productivity, Stevens Institute of Technology and University of Denver. She manages a program for entrepreneurs for Ontario Society of Professional Engineers.
Celia is author of “Project Management for Telecommunications Managers” (Springer) and Project Management for Telecommunications Projects (Wiley).
She is author of two Project Management books.
Celia holds MSc. Engineering, B.Sc. Mathematics & Psychology, Ontario Teaching Certificate and PMP certification. Celia has taught kindergarten and high school.
IEEE ACTIVITIES:
COMMITTEES/BOARDS:
2011 Chair PSPB Strategic Planning Committee
2010- 2011 Chair - Eric Herz Outstanding Staff Member Award Committee
2010 and 2011 MGA rep to PSPB
2007-2011 Program Director for ComSoc Wireless Communications Engineering Technologies
2009-2010 Co-Chair ComSoc Women in Communications Engineering Committee
2007 IEEE Secretary
2007-2008 Member IEEE Governance Committee (Chair in 2007)
2006 Vice President Technical Activities
200x Chair and member of IEEE Audit Committee
REGIONS:
2007-2011 Region 7 Audit Committee Chair
2002-03 Region 7 Past Director,
2002-03 Region 7 Nominations Chair
2000-01 Region 7 Director
1998-99 Region 7 Director Elect
SECTIONS/CHAPTERS:
1983-1984 Chair Ottawa Section
Chair Engineering Management Chapters in both Ottawa and Toronto
SOCIETY:
2007-2011 Project Director for Certification in Wireless Engineering Technology for IEEE, managing an international team of over 100 people in 8 different
development areas
2009-2010 Co-Chair ComSoc Women in Communications Engineering Committee
2007-2010 Project Director for Certification in Wireless Engineering
Technology for IEEE, managing a team of over 100 people in 8 different development areas
2008 Member IEEE Technology Management Council Board and Director of Chapters
2006-2008 ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer
2006-2008 Co-editor of Journal of Communication and Information Systems in Brazil
2005-2007 Vice President Membership Engineering Management Society
2005-2006 Chair IEEE Communications Society Nominations and Appointments Committee
2004 Member Engineering Management Society Board of Directors
2002-2003 President of IEEE Communications Society
Previously, Vice President - Member Affairs for IEEE Communications
Director of Meetings and Conferences Communications Society
Director of Chapters Communications Society
Director for North America for Communications Society
Editor – IEEE Communications Surveys
Editor and co-author of a bimonthly column in Communications Magazine, On-Track.
CONFERENCES:
Organizing chair:
ICC 1997
ICUPC 1993
CCECE 1992
General Chair:
Infocom 1987
OTHER:
Celia has many years of service to IEEE, bringing many volunteers into positions at the Region, Society and Board levels. She has been actively contributing to IEEE in all of these areas for over 15 year.
She has chaired Audit Committees at the Region and the IEEE level, and held Membership positions in two Societies.
QUALIFICATIONS:
As a previous Chair and member of this committee I have a good understanding of the responsibilities of this committee. My IEEE experience has taught me to be fair and objective in assessing the material that is proposed to the governance committee. Broad IEEE experience is needed to properly assess the material which will come before the Board of Directors and to ensure that it is written in the best possible structure for proper assessment by the Board. With background in almost every area of IEEE I am prepared to make such judgments fairly.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Established the IEEE Communications Society Wireless Engineering Technologies Certification – lead effort from near beginning through development and initial offering 2 years ago. This required an active team of more than 100 volunteers and staff, with a $2M budget. The program has not yet fully reached its long term numbers. Celia was actively involved in creating the related training, which is one of ComSoc’s most successful products. The WEBOK (associated book) is also highly successful.
- As President of Communications Society, agreed to move Communications Society from separate premises to an IEEE building, a solution which worked for both ComSoc and IEEE
- Managed Communications Society during the difficult post 911 years, holding a 50th anniversary celebration that included the publishing of book with citations from previous Society presidents, a celebration event at Globecom with special sessions and receptions, oral histories published on the web site, an extra issue of ComMag, a digital archive 2-DVD set offered for sale (sales to date of over 5000 copies) among other things
- Led Region 7 through the Millennium years, with many accomplishments, including moving the IEEE Canada web site from a separate server in Canada to Piscataway, as well as getting documentation and approval for charters for 21 committees, updating the bylaws and setting up approved VTC Scholarships of $3000 per year for students. Also, the Region electronic newsletter was streamlined with email notices going to direct members to it.
- During TAB/RAB Visits and DL Tours – found a number of ways to help the local people, including building a special arrangement that allowed multiple universities in Uruguay to buy IEL, and follow-up on payment in rupees for members in India
POSITION STATEMENT:
The IEEE Secretary is an important position on the IEEE Board of Directors: the Secretary is a member of the Board, and as such he or she participates in the decision making regarding the most critical topics for IEEE. The Secretary works with the Presidents and the Board members to form IEEE directions and make the key decisions for the organization. The Secretary must be a person of excellent character who has a strong knowledge of the organization and the best interests if the organization at heart. I am flattered to be considered for this position.
As IEEE Secretary, I will endeavor to ensure that the important accomplishments of the BOD bring value to the organization and the members, and that the activities of the IEEE are moved in the best directions for both. I will provide the accurate data necessary for use in discussion and decisions. In particular, I would ensure that the interests of the members worldwide are addressed, using the insight I have gained over the years working with hundreds of members around the world in both Regional and Technical activities. I have demonstrated leadership in many IEEE capacities, and have developed extensive knowledge and understanding of the structure, functions, and nature of IEEE. This skill and knowledge will be invaluable in participating in BOD key decisions.
My experience in many areas at senior levels of IEEE gives me a good broad view of IEEE and the major boards, along with the current problems that face the organization. I believe that I have shown in my work that I do have good judgment and good communications skills, both of which are critical in the assessment of governing documents and other material to be presented to the Board of Directors. I enjoy working with people to move issues to consensus, helping to find a mutually acceptable resolution to problems. This is also important in assessing the material presented to the committee, as often this material must be returned for rewriting before it can be presented to the Board. Clearly IEEE is one organization, but it is multi-faceted and the objectives of the various subsidiary boards do not always align. This is healthy for maintaining the vibrancy of the Society, but it also means that there is often a need to resolve or at least clearly express conflicting issues to allow them to be brought to the Board for fair assessment. I have shown the ability to do this in many IEEE organizations. I will also work with the governance committee and the Board to ensure that the Board structure is the most effective structure for managing the large complex IEEE business and its complex volunteer/staff structure.
I am ready and willing to continue serving IEEE in this capacity, and will devote the time needed to ensure that the job is handled properly.
Description of IEEE Officer Positions
Learn more about the qualifications, roles and responsibilities of the IEEE Officers, and other members of the IEEE Board of Directors.
