Smarter Decisions for a Better World: Thoughts from INFORMS Executive Director

Elena Gerstmann, PhD
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)

Abstract: Professional associations are essential catalysts for driving innovation, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and advancing the professional development of their members. INFORMS, with its broad scope encompassing operations research, management sciences, analytics, AI, applied mathematics, and more, plays a pivotal role in these areas. In this talk, Elena will highlight the critical contributions of INFORMS, sharing recent initiatives and upcoming plans that underscore the organization’s commitment to advancing the field and the impact of its members. By leveraging the expertise and influence of its members, INFORMS is shaping the future of better decision-making. The presentation will be interactive, gathering feedback and insights from the Rutgers Industrial and Systems Engineering community to further strengthen our collective efforts in advancing these dynamic disciplines and their impact on "Smarter Decisions for a Better World."

Bio: Elena Gerstmann, PhD, FASAE, CAE (she/her/hers), is the Executive Director of INFORMS, the largest association for decision and data sciences. INFORMS advances and promotes the science and technology of decision-making to save lives, save money, and solve problems. Before joining INFORMS, Elena was a Principal at Avenue M Group and previously served on the executive teams at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Elena earned her doctorate in social psychology from Rutgers University and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives (CESSE) and is a past board member and Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).