IEEE PES is actively working to 1) encourage the participation of female engineers at all levels of our organization, 2) recognize the significant contributions of female technical experts and leaders to our industry and academia, and 3) inspire and help young girls around the world to pursue engineering education and become future leaders of our society. With those objectives in mind, on behalf of Dr. Julio Romero Aguero, IEEE PES Vice President of Membership and Image, we are proud to announce the appointment of Chaitali Naik as Chair of PES Day 2021. Chaitali is the first female Chair in the history of PES Day. She has been a member of IEEE and PES for three years. She is from IEEE Region 4 (R4), IEEE Southeast Michigan Section. She received her Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 2017. She is an Electrical Engineer in the Substations Settings Group of Commonwealth Associates in Jackson, Michigan.

Chaitali is passionate about her community. She has been an active IEEE and PES volunteer for the past three years. She worked as PES Day Regional Representative for R4 in 2020 and as an IEEE Day Regional Representative for R4 in 2018. She is currently leading the IEEE South-Eastern Michigan (SEM) Women in Energy Engineering Affinity Group (WIE AG) as a Chair and is working on carrying a variety of women empowerment initiatives. For the last two years, she has served as Vice-Chair for IEEE SEM PES Chapter, where she has organized workshops, webinars, and technical talks within her section. She has also been promoting STEM education as an e-mentor to kids through the IEEE Try Engineering platform. She has served as an IEEE PES Scholarship reviewer since 2018. She is a member of the IEEE PES Long Range Planning Committee, where she is part of the team working on executing a PES mentoring program. Currently, the program is at a pilot stage.

PES Student Branch and Professional Chapters are the heart and soul of PES Day. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, PES Day Ambassadors and PES volunteers helped make 2020 PES Day a very successful event. The 2021 PES Day team will continue this tradition and work with volunteers from all Regions to build a strong online program, including educational and technical offerings and leadership opportunities for our members. We look forward to your collaboration and support to Chaitali and the 2021 PES Day team to make this year’s an even more successful celebration.

Let’s stand together to connect and empower each other. Please join us in congratulating Chaitali.

Machani Ajay Kumar
PES Day 2020 Chair