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Celia Desmond
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Celia L. Desmond, P.M.P.
President, World Class Telecommunications
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada


candidate for
IEEE Technical Activities Vice President-Elect, 2005

(Nominated by Technical Activities)


Photo of Celia Desmond Biography
Celia Desmond is President of World Class Telecommunications.   Celia provides training and management consulting in telecommunications engineering and management to professionals within the communications field.   With the University of Toronto, she created a Masters in Engineering in Telecommunications Program and Certificate Programs in Telecommunications Management.   As Director, Industry Liaison at Stentor, she was the external technical linkage for the company to the technical environment.   She developed and implemented service development and project governance processes.   In Bell Canada, Celia provided strategic direction to corporate planners, ran technology trials, standardized equipment, performed traffic analysis, and provided technical support to large business clients.   She received the Engineering Institute of Canada John B. Sterling Medal in 2000.   Celia holds the M. Eng. from Carleton University, the B. Sc. from Queens University, an Ontario Teaching Certificate and a Project Management Professional (P.M.P.) certification.   She is the author of Project Management for Telecommunications Managers, published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in 2003.   Celia has taught kindergarten, high school, and courses at University of Toronto, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Ryerson University.

Celia Desmond has served twice on the IEEE Board of Directors (2000-2001, 1996-1997): as Region 7 Director from 2000 to 2001 and the Division III Director from 1996 to 1997.   She served on the Audit Committee from 1997 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2002 and served as the Chair of the Audit Committee in 1998.   She has also participated in the Transnational Committee (2000-2001)as a member, 2002-2003 as a Working Group Chair and as Chair in 2004, and in the Meetings and Services Committee (2000-2002).

Celia was a member of TAB as President of the Communications Society in 2002-03 and Division III Director is 1996-1997.   She has served the Communications Society in many capacities, including President Elect in 2001, Vice President Membership in 1997-98, Meetings and Conferences Director in 2000-01 and Director of Chapters in 1996-97.   She served on the ComSoc Board of Governors as a member at large from 1993-96.   Celia was the Organizing Chair of ICC in 1997, and of ICUPC in 1993.   Celia has been named a Distinguished Lecturer for the Communications Society.

Celia was a member of RAB from 2000-2001, as IEEE Region 7 Director, which is a position that also includes the responsibilities of President of IEEE Canada.   She has served as Section Chair in Ottawa (1983-84), and has chaired chapters in both Ottawa and Toronto Sections.   She was representative to the Engineering Institute of Canada in 2000-01 and to the IEEE Canadian Foundation in 2002-03.   Effective 2004 she is the Donations Chair for the IEEE Canadian Foundation.   She also chaired the annual Region 7 conference (CCECE) in 1992.

She is also currently a member of the Board of Governors of the IEEE Engineering Management Society, where she participates on both the conferences and the education committee.

Celia was been presented with the Third Millennium Medal in 2000, and the Donald J. McLellan award in 1991.

IEEE Activities
(M'76-SM'93)   OFFICES: Board of Directors 2000-01, 1996-97; Region 7 Director 2000-01; Division III Director 1996-97.   COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Audit Committee 1997-99, 2000-02, Chair 1998; Transnational Committee 2000-01, Chair 2004; Meetings & Services 2000-02.   REGIONS: Region 7, IEEE Canada President 2000-01.   SECTIONS: Ottawa Chair 1986.   SOCIETIES: Communications President 2002-03, Membership Vice President 1997-98, Meetings & Conferences Director 2000-01, Chapters Director 1996-97, Board of Governors 1993-96; Engineering Management: Member at Large Board of Governors 2004-06, Engineering Management Chapter Chair Toronto 1995; Ottawa 1983-84. CONFERENCES: ICC Organizing Chair 1997, ICUPC Organizing Chair 1993.   REPRESENTATIVE: Engineering Institute of Canada 2000-01; IEEE Canadian Foundation 2002-2003, Member 2004.   AWARDS: Millennium Medal 2000; Donald J. McLellan 1991.

Statement of Candidacy
TAB is an organization of Society Presidents and Division Directors.   TAB creates an environment in which each Society can be particularly effective in providing products and services to the Society members.   In particular, Societies need a framework for supporting the processes that develop and deliver the intellectual property that is the core of IEEE's reputation and mission.

I have served TAB previously as President of a large and vibrant Society, as a member of the Board of Governors of a small Society, as a member of the IEEE Board of Directors and as Division III Director.   I have also served IEEE as a member of the Board of Directors, both as President of IEEE Canada and as Division III Director, in addition to committee service as Chair of the Transnational Committee and as Chair of the IEEE Audit Committee.   This past work has given me a good grounding in the issues that face IEEE and a strong desire to serve our members.   I understand and am committed to addressing our critical needs.

Today TAB needs a unifying, cooperative atmosphere amongst the Society Presidents and Division Directors, to provide the environment in which we can maintain the highest quality products, and foster progressive member services.   As VP TAB, I will apply my background in organizational culture to maintain and improve the professional, collegial atmosphere within TAB, and also amongst other IEEE operational units.   I will build a culture of inter-working to strengthen the processes for sustaining, developing, and distributing TAB products and services.

Outside North America, IEEE membership is growing quickly, aided strongly by Society efforts.   I encourage a truly global culture, which will allow IEEE to expand our vision to identify and fulfill the needs of our members throughout the world.   However, in expanding our focus to ensure that members in all countries are served, we must also maintain the current level of service provided to the North American members who have long been our dominant member base.   Both the current and the new members are critical to the network of professionals that is a core value of IEEE.

I am committed to supporting IEEE's positive financial trend, and improving service to our members.   TAB needs dedicated members to determine and create the most effective structure to meet the goals of this large, complex body.   I offer you understanding of the organization, knowledge of the processes, experience with governance, energy, commitment to TAB and IEEE, and vision for improved Society effectiveness.

Complete Resume
provided as a 4-page PDF file

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Last update on 2004-08-01