Welcoming Three New Members at Large to the SSIT Board of Governors

By on March 29th, 2026 in Articles, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, SSIT Announcements

Submitted by Murty Polavarapu

This notice is reprinted from the March 2026 issue of the SSIT Insights newsletter.

 

We are pleased to welcome three new Members-at-Large to the SSIT BoG for the term 2026-2028. The new members include: Nicole Jackson (Region 2), Brindha Saminathan (Region 10), and Harivardhagini Subhadra (Region 10).

 

Below you can learn about each of these new members and read messages they sent us expressing excitement in receiving this honor as valued contributors to our community.

Nicole Jackson

 

Nicole Jackson is a nationally recognized digital transformation strategist with over 15 years of experience in a multitude of technical roles, including leading socially impactful initiatives across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. As Senior Consultant—Process Owner of Artificial Intelligence at The Hartford Insurance Company, she manages enterprise-wide AI enablement and governance using cloud solutions. As Principal Consultant to Optimum Technology, she advises law enforcement on responsible AI via the IJIS Institute. She was honored by Drexel University’s 40 Under 40 and is a former soldier. Her advocacy for ethical technology, interdisciplinary education, and inclusive innovation has been recognized by the Smithsonian, AAAS IF/THEN, and National Science and Technology Medals Foundation.

 

Nicole is an IEEE CertifAIEd Authorized Assessor (2024–2026) and applies her skill and ability as a Senior AI Consultant at The Hartford and as Practice Lead AI at Optimum Technology in law enforcement and public safety by applying ethical compliance evaluations for AI systems in design, development and monitoring phases of delivery. Nicole is also a contributor to IEEE P7999 and IEEE 7019. Nicole represented the U.S. at the EU AI Act plenary and regularly guides the private sector in the application of AI governance in AI Systems Management and actively applies her internationalized knowledge of transformation occurred at scale to her contributions to peer discussions within IEEE. Says Nicole of her new role with SSIT:

 

“I am honored to join the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology as a Member at Large on the Board of Governors. My path to this role has been shaped by the people technology is supposed to serve — patients navigating complex healthcare systems, communities at risk of displacement, women in STEM who need to see themselves reflected in this field, and workers navigating an AI-transformed workforce. Through applied work in emerging space, I have been driven by one consistent question: who bears the cost when we get this wrong? SSIT has held that question seriously as a mission and I am here to contribute to that work by listening, connecting, and serving.”

Brindha Saminathan

 

Dr. Brindha Saminathan is an accomplished academician, researcher, and IEEE leader with over 26 years of experience in Electronics and Communication Engineering. She currently serves as Professor in the Department of ECE at Sri Sai Ram Engineering College, Chennai, where she has contributed extensively to teaching, research, and professional development. Her areas of expertise span Optical Communication, Radio-over-Fiber Networks, 5G/6G Smart Systems, and the Social Implications of emerging technologies. A dedicated Senior Member of IEEE, Dr. Brindha holds prominent leadership roles including Treasurer of the IEEE Madras Section (2025–2026) and Chair of the Awards Committee (2025–2026). She has previously served as Student Activities Chair, Chair of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) Madras Section (2022–2026), Vice-Chair of the IEEE Signal Processing Society (SPS) Madras Section (2022–2026), and Member of the IEEE India Council SAC Committee.

 

Dr. Saminathan is also a committed member of IEEE SSIT and founding advisor of the Sri Sai Ram Engineering College IEEE SSIT Student Chapter (est. 2021), nurturing a culture of ethical innovation among students. Her leadership extends globally as the Global Strategy Representative – India for the IEEE Photonics Society (2024–2026) and through her participation in technical bodies including the IEEE VTS AdHoc Committee on SAGW Integrated Systems, the National Quantum Working Group, and two BIS Working Groups on Optical Communication and Ocular Prosthetics. These roles reflect her strong engagement in policy, standards, and responsible technology development. Dr. Brindha’s passion for socially driven innovation is evident in her sustained involvement in IEEE SIGHT and EPICS in IEEE programs. She has mentored multiple humanitarian technology projects that address sustainability, assistive solutions, and rural community challenges—strengthening her belief that technology must always serve societal well-being. Her contributions have earned her major global and regional IEEE awards, including the 2024 IEEE MGA Achievement Award, 2024 IEEE MGA Best Student Branch Counselor/Advisor Award, 2023 IEEE R10 SAC Outstanding Volunteer Award, 2023 IEEE India Council Outstanding Volunteer Award, and multiple recognitions from the IEEE Madras Section. She has delivered 50+ technical and motivational talks, inspiring more than 10,000 students and professionals across India and abroad. With deep experience at the intersection of technology, ethics, and community engagement, Dr. Brindha aims to advance SSIT’s mission globally by promoting responsible innovation, inclusive technological growth, and an ethically grounded engineering culture.

 

“Joining the SSIT Board of Governors is a privilege and a call to action. With over two decades at the intersection of technology, ethics, and community engagement, I am committed to championing responsible innovation and ensuring that emerging technologies uplift every corner of society. I am excited to bring the perspective of IEEE’s vibrant India community to SSIT’s global mission.”

Harivardhagini Subhadra

 

Dr. Harivardhagini Subhadra is a seasoned engineering professional with 23 years of experience advancing socially relevant technologies in Control Systems, Automation, Renewable Energy, and Instrumentation. As Professor and Head of the Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering Department, she has championed human-centred engineering education, equitable access to technology and responsible innovation through accreditation driven curriculum reforms and industry-grade laboratory development. Her entrepreneurial venture, Aurdinnov Botix Tech Pvt. Ltd., focuses on automation and clean-energy solutions that enhance environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. Beyond the classroom, she is an active outreach advocate, frequently engaging students, rural educators and early-career engineers through hands-on workshops, technology awareness programs, and capacity-building initiatives that promote digital inclusion and ethical technology use. With 30+ publications, multiple patents, and extensive mentoring of socially oriented student projects, her work consistently integrates technical excellence with societal responsibility, empowering communities through meaningful and responsible technological advancement.

 

Dr. Subhadra is a distinguished Senior Member of IEEE whose leadership has significantly advanced the global mission of SSIT. As Chair of the IEEE SSIT Chapters Committee, she has strengthened worldwide chapter engagement, revitalized chapter operations and spearheaded the SSIT Chapter Funding Program, enabling numerous chapters to launch impactful activities aligned with SSIT’s vision of ethical, inclusive, and socially responsible technology. She has also contributed to SSIT’s flagship conferences, ISTAS and ICEI, by supporting program outreach, chapter participation and community-building initiatives. Her broader IEEE leadership includes Voting Member of the 2025 IEEE WIE Committee, Global Events Coordinator for IEEE PES Women in Power, Professional Activities Coordinator for the IEEE Smart Cities Communications Ad Hoc Committee, Chair of Awards committee of Returning mothers conference, Chair – WePOWER track of YESIST12-  A global event for budding innovators, Chair of IEEE WIE Hyderabad Section (2023–2025) etc. She works for strengthening global leadership and innovation in sustainable energy and humanitarian technologies. Through leadership of more than 70 IEEE initiatives, the candidate has broadened access to digital literacy, promoted responsible and ethical use of technology and inspired deeper participation in STEM fields. Their efforts have reached diverse global audiences, enabling lasting community empowerment and strengthening the societal value of engineering. As she says of her new role with SSIT:

 

“I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust placed in me by the members of the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology in electing me as Member-at-Large of the IEEE SSIT Board of Governors. I sincerely thank the community for their confidence and support.

 

I remain committed to advancing the mission of SSIT by strengthening global chapter engagement, promoting responsible and ethical technology, and creating meaningful platforms that connect innovation with societal needs. I look forward to working with colleagues worldwide to expand initiatives that foster digital inclusion, technology ethics, and sustainable development, while amplifying the societal value of engineering.”