SEM WIE Affinity Group
The affinity groups of the IEEE are a meeting point to address more in the world of engineering, while knowing people with whom they share the same interests. The SEM WIE Affinity Group aims to support and encourage women to pursue careers in the field of science and engineering through activities and the execution of projects, meetings and conferences. Within its main activities are the organization and participation in talks, generation of knowledge through research, development and implementation framed in new technologies.
Meet our Officers
Chair: Gozde Tutuncuoglu
Dr. Gozde Tutuncuoglu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Wayne State University. She holds a Ph.D. degree from Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. Dr. Tutuncuoglu conducts research on nanoelectronics and novel computing devices, in particular on neuromorphic computing. In her free time, she likes to read and travel.
Vice-Chair: Ashfiqua Connie
Ashfiqua Connie received her Ph. D degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She is currently working as an instructor in the Pre-Engineering department of Henry Ford College. In her free time she likes to read, travel, and spend quality time with her family.
Secretary: Colleen Chmielewski
Colleen Chmielewski obtained her Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Tech in May 2009. She is a Senior Engineer at ExecuPOWER and has worked on numerous transmission line projects since starting her career in June 2009. Colleen actively participates in and is on the Board of Directors at her local Kiwanis Club of Jackson. She is also chair of the IEEE Power and Energy Insulated Conductor Committee Women in Power group. When not working or volunteering she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and son, traveling to her family’s cottage on Lake Superior, walking the beach, searching for agates, hiking, saunas, swimming and watching movies.
Treasurer: Tracey Payne-Tellis
Tracey Payne-Tellis’s inspirational Electrical Engineering Degree was earned at Florida A& M University with a BS from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. She has also earned an MBA from Central Michigan University.
Her career passion as kept her busy as a great Electronics Engineer, in her career as a Business Pursuit Manager-Sales for Electrification-Battery Packs which includes Bus Bar and Wiring Harnesses. Then Powertrain Sensors, USB-Radios and Park Assist Modules. Throughout her career, she has been able to travel to some great locations, Turin Italy, Korea, China, and plenty more USA manufacturing sites. While enjoying her career, she is on the Electrical Engineering Advisory Board at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. She is currently waiting on her approval to be an ABET Evaluator.
When not at work she volunteers at the City of Southfield programming city events which include election season and Southfield Library Education Day for STEM series, Women contribution to STEM.
Webmaster: Bige Deniz Unluturk
Bige Deniz Unluturk received her PhD Degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020. She is currently an assistant professor in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Michigan State University. She is also a member of the Institute of Quantitative Health Science and Engineering at MSU. She is also the publicity chair of IEEE Communications Society Women in Communications Engineering. In her free time she likes travelling, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
Past Chair & Advisor: Kimball Williams
Kimball Williams earned his BSEE degree in night school at Lawrence Technological University while raising 5 children with his wife, Mary Lou, working full time with Eaton Research for 26 years and becoming the Eaton Principle EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Engineer. After 3 years as Principal Designated EMC Engineer for Underwriters Laboratories and 7 years with DENSO as the Senior EMC Engineering Manager, he retired as a “Technical Fellow” from DENSO in February of 2012.
He is an iNARTE (RAB/QSA) certified Master EMC Design Engineer and member of the Engineering Society of Detroit. He is an ‘Honored Member’ of the IEEE EMC Society Board of Directors and the Society past President and has served as the EMC-Society Director of PACE Activities for the past 4 years.
Kimball is currently an IEEE Senior Life Member and member of 7 IEEE Societies and the Standards Association. He serves as liaison or Secretary for 7 IEEE and SAE organizations. He Chaired the IEEE International EMC2008 Symposium in Detroit and is currently Chair (Soon to be Past Chair!) of the Southeastern Michigan IEEE Section.
Kim is a licensed private pilot, PADDY certified scuba diver, licensed amateur radio operator (Call sign: N8FNC) and plays classical guitar in his ‘spare’ time.
We are always searching for other volunteers looking to lead or support activities as we expand and increase our presence within southeastern Michigan. If you or anyone you know is interested in filling the Treasurer position or volunteering in any other way, please reach out to Colleen Chmielewski @ colleenchmielewski@ieee.org.