IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Technology for the Benefit of Humanity // Colorado Schools of Mines, USA / October 22-25, 2025

Invited Speakers 2020

  • Toshio Fukuda

    Toshio Fukuda
    2020 IEEE President & CEO

    Topic: “Advancing Technology for Humanity”

    Toshio Fukuda is a professor of mechatronics engineering at Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan. He is also a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology and professor emeritus at Nagoya University. His research focuses on intelligent robotic systems and micro-nano robotics. He has published more than 2,000 articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings, and reports.

    An IEEE Fellow, Toshio was director of IEEE Region 10 in 2013 and 2014 and IEEE Division X director/delegate in 2001 and 2002, and 2017 and 2018. He was president of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society in 1988 and 1989 and general chair of the IEEE International Symposium on Micro-Nano Mechatronics from 1990 to 2012. He has served on several IEEE boards and committees.

    He graduated from Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan and received the Master of Engineering degree and the Doctor of Engineering degree both from the University of Tokyo. He joined the National Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in Japan in 1977, the Science University of Tokyo in 1981, and then joined Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya University, Japan in 1989.

  • Kathy Land

    Susan (Kathy) Land
    IEEE President-elect 2020

    Topic: “IEEE’s Humanitarian Efforts”

    As a Program Manager for a United States Federal Government agency. Ms. Land has served three terms on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Board of Directors. She served as a member of the IEEE-USA Board of Directors (2013, 2016), as a member of Region 3 Executive Committee (2016, 2017), was President of the IEEE Computer Society in 2009. She has more than 30 years of industry experience in the application of software engineering methodologies, the management of information systems, and leadership of software development teams.

    Ms. Land is IEEE President-Elect, an IEEE Fellow, and is the author or co-author of a number of texts, papers, webinars all supporting sound software engineering principles and practical application of software process methodologies.

    For additional information: www.susankathyland.com

     

     

  • Melissa Sassi

    Melissa Sassi
    IEEE Digital Intelligence Working Group

    Topic: “DQ, a measure for determining one’s digital intelligence”

     

    Abstract:

    Join this session led by Melissa Sassi, Chief Penguin of IBM Z and Chair of IEEE’s Digital Intelligence Working Group, to learn about the first global standard for digital skills and readiness that was recently endorsed by the IEEE Standards Board. We know what IQ means, right? We also have a definition for EQ, thanks to Daniel Goleman. Now, the world welcomes DQ, a measure for determining one’s digital intelligence. In this session, we will take a journey through the following competencies: (1) digital citizen identity, (2) usage and screen time, (3) safety and cyberbullying, (4) cyber security, (5) emotional intelligence and empathy, (6) communication and digital footprint, (7) literacy and critical thinking, and (8) rights and privacy management. See you there!

    Bio:

    As IBM Z’s Chief Penguin, Melissa created her own IBM penguin title and leads Student & Entrepreneur Experience worldwide. She’s a Call for Code Judge focused on solving the world’s challenges via tech innovation. Prior to IBM, Melissa was an energy and internet access impact investor at Microsoft. As Founder & CEO of MentorNations, Melissa created a youth-led digital skills movement teaching tens of thousands of youth to code in twelve countries. She’s Chair of IEEE’s Digital Intelligence Working Group & Founding Member of Coalition for Digital Intelligence with WEF, OECD, IEEE & DQ Institute. She holds several Board positions in digital inclusion nonprofits. As a PhD candidate, she researches the digital inclusion of underserved communities. She serves on a UN Round Table for the High-Level Panel for Digital Cooperation & is an avid speaker on digital skills, tech entrepreneurship, community building, youth empowerment, imposter syndrome & personal branding.