Sophia “Sophie” Muirhead is the IEEE’s next executive director and chief operating officer. Starting 1 January 2023, she is the first woman to hold the position.
“Sophia has a proven track record of working in collaboration with the Board of Directors and a deep understanding of our organization,” said K. J. Ray Liu, 2022 IEEE president and CEO. “Her breadth of experience will enhance the Board’s continuing work to provide a professional home for our members, and to serve the engineering and technology community worldwide.”
“I was attracted to IEEE in 2019 because it is a mission-based organization designed to benefit the public interest, its members, and serve a greater purpose, so I am truly honored and excited to be selected as IEEE’s next executive director and COO,” commented Muirhead. “I am looking forward to collaborating with IEEE’s leadership, members, and staff to further IEEE’s mission around the world.”
Since 2019, Muirhead has served as the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of IEEE. Prior to joining IEEE, Sophia was the senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary at The Conference Board, a global business membership organization. She was the first chief legal officer in The Conference Board’s over 100-year history. Throughout her career, Muirhead also has had operations roles where she established new practice areas and capabilities, found new pathways to growth, and acted as a catalyst in transforming organizations’ effectiveness for the future. She is a seasoned C-suite executive and trusted advisor to Boards of Directors and Trustees, CEOs, peers, and colleagues.
Muirhead is a member of the Board of Trustees of The Hunter College Foundation, where she serves on the audit, pre-law, and pre-business committees. She received a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. magna cum laude in political science from Hunter College.
