Did you know that each year, a new group of four elected leaders joins the IEEE Photonics Society’s Board of Governors? In 2025, a new class began their three-year terms, bringing with them a wide-range of expertise, international perspectives, and passionate commitment to the advancement of photonics worldwide. These newly elected Board members not only represent the future of our field, but also embody the Society’s core values of integrity in action and global community building.
At the Society’s spring Board of Governors meeting, President Perry Shum welcomed the incoming class and invited each new member to share reflections from their election statements, including the initiatives they’re most excited to support. From strengthening collaboration and expanding educational opportunities to championing resources and bridging academia for all, their visions reflect a shared determination to build a more connected, dynamic, and forward-looking photonics community.
Explore their visions below, and the strategic priorities they aim to champion throughout their tenure.
Dr. Fatima Garcia‐Gunning – Ireland
Fatima brings a thoughtful and inclusive perspective to the Board of Governors, shaped by her dedication to building a Society that deeply supports its members across all career stages and life circumstances. A central focus of her mission is expanding mentorship beyond students to early- and mid-career professionals navigating the complexities of global research environments. Recognizing that scientific careers rarely follow a linear path, she also aims to champion initiatives for those returning to the workforce after personal or family-related leave, whether due to childcare, elder care, or health challenges.
Fatima advocates for the development of global photonics trend reports and white papers, empowering the Society to speak with a unified voice to policymakers and funding agencies. By sharing collective insights and priorities, she believes the photonics community can more effectively influence global conversations around technology, investment, and innovation. Her tenure vision reflects a commitment to building a responsive, equitable, and resilient Society, one that supports members not only as scientists and engineers, but as people balancing careers with real-life demands.
Dr. Frédéric Grillot – France
With a deep passion for outreach and an eye on expanding the Society’s global reach, Frédéric brings energy and vision to his role on the Board. His goals include inspiring the next generation of photonics professionals through targeted education efforts and increasing engagement from France and across Europe in Society initiatives. Frédéric is especially committed to strengthening regional participation so that all voices are represented in decision-making and leadership.
He also champions growth through expanded conference sponsorships and the development of new chapters, particularly in emerging and remote regions of the world. Frédéric understands the essential role of industry in advancing photonics and hopes to foster deeper collaborations between academia and industry, both in technical development and through enhanced presence at events. A firm believer in inclusivity, his vision includes building a more welcoming and representative community where every member, regardless of background or location, feels empowered to contribute and lead.
Dr. Takeshi Hoshida – Japan
Bridging academia and industry with his forward-thinking perspective, Takeshi brings a strong focus on innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration to the Board of Govenors. He envisions a community that actively promotes cross-disciplinary engagement, where breakthroughs are fueled by multidisciplinary teams and ideas. Among his proposals are inviting more tutorial speakers from other scientific communities and establishing a new award that honors outstanding achievements by collaborative, multi-organizational groups.
Takeshi also highlights the importance of supporting early-career professionals, especially those in remote or economically disadvantaged regions. His efforts include exploring funding mechanisms for travel, registration, and membership to ensure wider access to IEEE Photonics Society programs and opportunities. His leadership is rooted in the belief that inclusion and collaboration are not only values, but catalysts for accelerating global innovation for all.
Dr. Fotini Karinou – United Kingdom
With expertise in emerging optical technologies and a passion for interdisciplinary progress, Fotini enters the Board with a mission to bridge research and application while advancing the careers of those driving innovation. She advocates for expanding the scope of Society publications to better reflect the growing intersections between photonics and other fields, helping to foster new knowledge exchanges and partnerships.
Supporting early-career researchers is another cornerstone of her platform. Fotini envisions enhanced professional development resources tailored to those transitioning from academia to industry, equipping them with skills that reflect the realities of today’s multidisciplinary work environments. In addition, she proposes a structured volunteer program to provide more meaningful opportunities for members to serve as mentors, journal reviewers, and event organizers. She is committed to championing outreach and retention strategies that embrace all in the photonics community. Through her initiatives, Fotini hopes to cultivate a Society where innovation is fueled by collaboration and every member can find purpose and growth.
Unified Commitment to the Future
Together, these newly elected Board of Governors members represent a dynamic and forward-thinking cohort driven by purpose and united by a shared vision for progress. From expanding mentorship pipelines and championing sustainability, to deepening industry collaboration and advancing global inclusion, their priorities reflect the evolving needs of both our members and the broader photonics landscape.
We look forward to their efforts in engaging with members around the world as we continue to build a vibrant, collaborative, and future-ready Photonics Society together.
