The IEEE Member and Geographical Activities Committee (MGA) held a joint meeting of its Students, Young Professionals (YP), Women In Engineering (WIE), and Life Members (LM) at the JW Marriott in Panama City, Panama, in March 2025. Over 100 members from the four organizations attended.
The meeting opened with Jason Hui, MGA Vice-Chair of Membership (MELCC), who introduced 2025 IEEE President Kathleen Kramer, who spoke remotely. The audience then heard from Antonio Luque, VP of the MGA, and Dalma Novak, VP of Technical Activities (representing the 39 Technical Societies and Councils). As well as Winne Yie (WIE Chair), Rajendra Asthana (LM Chair), Saaveethya Sivakumar (YP Chair), and Subodha Charles (SAC Chair). Finally, John Day, IEEE Director of Member Products and Programs, spoke and provided gifts for the Chairs.
In the afternoon, the Life Member Committee held its in-person hybrid meeting with David Thompson and Toshitaka Tsuda attending remotely.
The first day ended early with the opportunity for attendees to optionally tour the Panama Canal Museum prior to an excellent LMC dinner at the Afrodisiaco Italian Modern Kitchen in Old Town Balboa. Many of us enjoyed touring the museum, where we learned the history of the development of the Panama Canal.
On the second day, we had a full-day LMC meeting. The LMC meeting was opened by Jason Hui of MELCC, who has been working with the LMC to develop a Strategic Plan. We heard from Jennifer Castillo, Region 9 Director, who talked about the Region’s Life Member activities.
We heard reports from the LMAG Activities Coordinator, Awards Committee, Grants Committee, Life Member Conference Committee, Newsletter, History Center, and IEEE Foundation.
That evening was the gala closing dinner held on the 66th floor of the JW Marriott. We had beautiful views of Panama City at sunset and the west portal to the Panama Canal. Several groups of native dancers entertained the conference. Group photos and Committee photos were taken.
On Sunday, the final joint meeting focused on the “ONE IEEE” theme, where tables mixed members from Students, YP, WIE, and LM to collaborate on solving puzzles and tasks.
