Candidates for IEEE Division VII Delegate-Elect/Director-Elect, 2026

2025 IEEE Annual Election period is from 15 August to 1 October 2025. The candidates are listed in a pre-determined lottery order and indicates no preference.

NITA K. PATEL

(Nominated by IEEE Division VIII)

Vice President, Engineering

Otis

Bloomfield, Conneticut, USA

www.nitapatel.org

POSITION STATEMENT

I am committed to ensuring that IEEE continues to be the preeminent global technical community while evolving to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing technological landscape.

My strategic priorities, aligned with IEEE’s mission to advance technology for humanity, include:

  • Technical Leadership: Strengthen IEEE’s position as the leading trusted source and authoritative voice by facilitating greater collaboration across IEEE Technical Societies, sparking cross-disciplinary innovation, and creating space for fresh ideas to flourish.
  • Member-Centric Innovation: Create more growth opportunities for professionals at every career stage, open new channels for involvement, and inspire curiosity in the next generation of innovators.
  • Effective Operations: Cut through bureaucracy with interdisciplinary collaboration, streamlined processes, entrepreneurial thinking, and open governance that delivers real value to our members.
  • I believe I am uniquely positioned to address these challenges, if elected, by drawing on my professional background and my current and past experience in IEEE and in the Computer Society.

I believe in strong leadership, transparency, and teamwork. I’ll partner closely with the IEEE Board of Directors, IEEE staff, and volunteers to ensure IEEE remains the premier network for professionals who are shaping the future of technology. I would appreciate your support as I seek to serve our community as Division VIII Delegate-Elect/Director-Elect.

BIOGRAPHY

Nita Patel, P.E., is Vice President, Engineering at Otis leading global research, design and development. She was previously Senior Director, Engineering at L3Harris leading multi-disciplinary teams in innovative product development where she was recognized for her significant technical contributions as L3 Engineer of the Year and New Hampshire Engineer of the Year.

Nita is Past President of the IEEE Computer Society and currently on Technical Activities Strategic Planning. She has gained extensive experience in technical leadership and IEEE governance through these roles and others such as IEEE Foundation Director, Vice President IEEE-USA, IEEE MGA leader and Eta Kappa Nu Board Member. She continues mentoring IEEE WIE Summits since establishing the IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Conference in 2014 when serving as IEEE WIE International Chair.

Outside of IEEE, Nita is an active volunteer leader within Toastmasters International and Senior Tournament Director for the United States Chess Federation.

JYOTIKA ATHAVALE

(Nominated by IEEE Division VIII)

CTO Director of Engineering Architecture

Synopsys

Sunnyvale, California, USA

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jyotikaathavale

POSITION STATEMENT

The technological landscape is rapidly evolving, with IEEE leading this revolution by bridging academic research with industry needs in computing. Fostering collaboration to address key technology challenges and drive innovation is paramount as we embrace transformation in this era of rapid advancements.

Nurturing emerging technology initiatives through standards, publications, workshops, and conferences is crucial. By fostering innovation, we empower the community and drive technical advancements. Collaboration with professional societies and government entities enhances the integration of cutting-edge computing technologies.

Empowering our volunteer base is central to our mission. Providing mentorship and training to students and young professionals ensures a bright future for our field. Through strategic initiatives, we support individuals at every career stage, fostering a lifelong connection with the society. Our goal is to uphold our value proposition, expand volunteer engagement, and promote inclusivity.

As IEEE Division VIII Delegate-Elect/Director-Elect, I am honored to serve and optimistic about our collective efforts strengthening our membership and the community as a whole. Together, we will drive progress and innovation in this transformative era.

BIOGRAPHY

Jyotika is a CTO Director of Engineering Architecture at Synopsys. With a rich background in technology, she has held key leadership roles at Intel Corporation and NVIDIA over her 25+ years in the semiconductor industry.

In 2024, Jyotika led as President of the IEEE Computer Society. She has earned multiple IEEE awards for her significant contributions to women in technology, her impactful service to the community and her dedication to driving international standards in functional safety.

Recognized as a Distinguished Alumna and Distinguished Professor of Practice at VJTI, Mumbai, India, Jyotika’s influence extends far beyond academia. Her patents, technical publications, and leadership in pioneering international IEEE conferences, like the IEEE RAS Summits, highlight her commitment to advancing technologies.

As the Chair of the IEEE P2851 standards, Jyotika continues to shape the landscape of technology standards, not only within IEEE but also by strengthening its ties with external standards development organizations.