Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, has been named the recipient of this year’s IEEE President’s Award. She has been recognized for her “outstanding leadership and contribution to society.”

Member of IEEE has been an advocate for global connectivity and digital access for over 30 years. Bogdan-Martin is the first woman to lead ITU, the UN agency headquartered in Geneva that helps set information and communication technology (ICT) policy.

“I am honored to recognize you as a change leader and an IEEE member for the commitment you have made to bridge the digital divide worldwide,” Saifur Rahman, IEEE President and CEO, said in a press release about the award. The IEEE sponsors an annual award.

Leading Efforts to Bridge the Digital Divide

Bogdan-Martin began her career in 1989 as a Telecommunications Policy Specialist at the US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration in Washington, DC. The agency advises the White House on telecommunications and information policy.

She left after five years to join ITU’s newly established Telecommunication Development Sector as a Policy Analyst. The sector develops policies, regulations, training programs and financial strategies for developing countries. In 2005, she was promoted to head of the regulatory and market environment division of the agency that leads the regulatory, economic, and financial reform programs. She has also advised governments on ICT reform and policy issues.

Three years later, Bogdan-Martin was appointed head of ITU’s strategic planning and membership, the highest position in the General Secretariat. She advised then General Secretary Hamadoun Toure. In addition, she oversaw the organization’s membership, corporate communications, and external relations departments.

In 2010, Bogdan-Martin helped create the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, where she served as Executive Director advocating for universal and affordable broadband. She helped develop the ITU Youth Strategy to bring youth into the UN sustainable development agenda through programs and activities. Its goals are to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the prospects of communities around the world.

Bogdan-Martin launched the Equals Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age and initiated a collaboration with UNICEF on the Giga initiative to connect schools to the internet.

As an international gender champion, she works to break down barriers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She is a member of the World Economic Forum 2030 Vision Leadership Group and a member of the Harvard Berkman Klein Center, which studies the dynamics, norms, and standards of cyberspace. She is also a radio amateur with the callsign KD2JTX.

“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” Bogdan-Martin said in a press release announcing the IEEE award. “I look forward to close collaboration, collaboration and stronger partnerships between our institutions.”

She received the award on May 5 at the IEEE Vision, Innovation and Challenges 2023 Summit and Awards Ceremony held at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel.