SIMAY AKAR KOEHLER

CEO & Founder
AKEC
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
https://www.simayakar.com/

Multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur and sustainable energy executive with extensive experience in solar PV manufacturing, battery energy storage systems (BESS), e-mobility, and renewable energy technologies. Founder & CEO of AKEC Sustainable & Greentech Solutions and Co-Founder & Board Member of Innoses, with a proven track record in driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and deploying sustainable technologies.

A distinguished IEEE leader, Simay serves as Vice President, Career & Member Services on the IEEE-USA Board, Treasurer of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board, and Chair-Elect of IEEE Women in Engineering Committee. She also serves as IEEE Region 4 Outreach Group Chair and Chair of the IEEE Central Indiana Section.

She earned her BS degree from METU and participated in the Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Program at Stanford University. She has received numerous international honors recognizing her leadership, technical excellence, and commitment to sustainability.

Statement

IEEE Region 4 is built on strong Sections, dedicated volunteers, and meaningful connections across industry, academia, and government. As Region Director, my focus is on strengthening these foundations while delivering clear value to our members.

If elected, I will prioritize:

• Empowering Sections by improving access to resources, enabling knowledge sharing, and supporting local leadership.

• Enhancing member value through career development, industry engagement, and professional growth opportunities.

• Strengthening student and young professional pathways to support retention and leadership development.

• Advancing humanitarian technologies aligned with the IEEE Strategic Plan to deliver meaningful societal impact.

• Encouraging collaboration across Regions and IEEE organizational units to scale recognized ideas and best practices.

• Ensuring responsible financial stewardship, transparency, and effective use of resources.

My experience across IEEE governance, financial oversight, and leadership roles spanning Technical Activities and Member & Geographic Activities, combined with service in Regions 4, 8, and 10, provides me with a diverse perspective to achieve strategic goals.

I bring an action-oriented and collaborative leadership style, focused on execution and measurable impact. I would be honored to earn your support.

IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
(S’08-M’13-SM’19)

Simay Akar Koehler currently serves in several senior IEEE leadership roles, including:

• Treasurer, IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board

• Member, IEEE Finance Committee 

• Vice President, Career & Member Services, IEEE-USA Board

• Chair-Elect, IEEE Women in Engineering Committee

• Chair, IEEE Region 4 Outreach Group

• Chair, IEEE Central Indiana Section

Since 2007, she has served in multiple roles across Regions 4, 8, and 10, developing deep institutional knowledge, governance and financial expertise, and trusted global network. She  contributed to Region 10 Committees, served on Regions 4 and 8 ExCom, and served on strategic planning Committees in Regions 4 and 8.

Over the past two years, she has served as a voting member of the IEEE Finance Committee, contributing to global IEEE financial oversight, budget alignment, and strategic resource allocation, reinforcing her commitment to transparency and accountability.

Her IEEE journey began as a Student Branch volunteer, later serving as Student Branch Chair at METU—one of the most awarded IEEE Student Branches globally. Over the past 20 years, she has progressed into global leadership roles and now serves as Chair of the IEEE Central Indiana Section, a large Section in Region 4.

She has served four years on the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board, including the past two years as Treasurer.  Simay has also served in MGA and Technical Activities liaison roles, and chaired the IEEE MOVE Global Committee (2024). She has also served in IEEE Women in Engineering since 2014 and contributed to IEEE Entrepreneurship initiatives, including MGA Region 1-7 Entrepreneurship Committee Lead (2025-Present).

Her leadership has been recognized with several IEEE awards, including:

• IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award (2024)

• IEEE Region 8 Clementina Saduwa Award (2023)

• IEEE MGA Diversity & Inclusion Award (2022)

• IEEE PES Robert P. Noberini Distinguished Contributions to Engineering Professionalism Award (2022)

• IEEE MGA Achievement Award (2014, IEEE Day Team Lead)

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IEEE Annual Election: Region 4 Candidates (Central USA) | IEEE