SIMAY AKAR KOEHLER

Simay Akar Koehler is a multi-award-winning sustainable energy expert and entrepreneur. As the CEO and Founder of AKEC, a Sustainable Energy Transition & Environmental Consulting Firm, Simay works with clean energy manufacturers and startups. Simay has received highly acclaimed awards, including the 2022 Women in New Energy Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the 2024 IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award.

With deep expertise in photovoltaic manufacturing, battery storage, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, Simay has held leadership roles in multinational enterprises. Having lived in Türkiye, China, and Indiana, USA, and traveled to over 70 countries, she brings a rich multicultural perspective, a globally connected mindset, and an extensive network. She has built strong connections with global women STEM organizations, advocating for inclusion and empowerment to drive positive change.

Simay holds a degree from METU, Türkiye, and Energy Innovation and the Emerging Technologies Program at Stanford University.
 

Statement

IEEE WIE is committed to empowering women in STEM by creating an inclusive and supportive environment where members can grow, lead, and influence the future directions of technology.

If elected, I will enhance this vision by:

• Promoting recognition, evaluation, and representation of WIE members across IEEE with a global perspective.

• Strengthening collaboration with other IEEE OUs to align with IEEE’s Strategic Plan and build a robust support system.

• Encouraging industry engagement, entrepreneurship, humanitarian technologies, and educational initiatives that advance women in STEM.

• Shaping IEEE WIE's strategic direction to meet the evolving needs of our members globally.

• Empowering WIE OUs to foster innovation and cross-cultural collaboration.

• Promoting WIE’s recognition beyond IEEE, fostering partnerships with external organizations, and advocating for the impact of equity and inclusion.

I humbly ask for your vote and the opportunity to serve. Together, we will break barriers and create a brighter future for technologists, scientists, and engineers!

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

In 2025, Simay serves in several volunteer roles, including:

• IEEE-USA Representative to the Women in Engineering Committee (WIEC)

• Treasurer of the IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (HTB)

• IEEE Awards Board Member

• IEEE Finance Committee, HTB Liaison

• IEEE Entrepreneurship MGA R1-7 Representative

• IEEE Region 4 Outreach Chair

• IEEE Central Indiana Section Chair

A dedicated IEEE WIE volunteer since 2007, Simay has served in numerous leadership roles at various levels. From leading a Student Branch AG to becoming the IEEE Turkey Section WIE Student Representative (2009), she later founded and chaired the IEEE Turkey Section WIE AG, significantly contributing to its growth and recognition. Her involvement extends across the IEEE China Council and Regions 8 & 10 WIE Committees (2014-2018), and she has continuously contributed to the MGA WIEC since 2014, also chaired multiple WIEC Subcommittees. Simay has held several significant WIEC positions, including:

• Region 8 WIE Chair (2015)

• WIEC YP Representative (2016-2017)

• Power & Energy Society Women in Power Liaison (2018-2020)

• Founder & Chair the Women in IEEE Transportation Electrification Community (2021-2023)

Simay has played a key role in WIE's global outreach, contributing to the IEEE WIE International Leadership Conference (ILC) and Summit (ILS) Committees since 2015, and currently is part of the 2026 WIE ILC Steering Committee.

She has served on the Executive Committee of three IEEE Regions: 8, 10, and currently 4 and also IEEE Technical Activities Board Diversity & Inclusion Committee (2021-2022).

Her dedication has been recognized with numerous prestigious IEEE awards, including WIE-related honors such as:

• IEEE Region 8 Clementina Saduwa Award (2023)

• IEEE MGA Diversity & Inclusion Award (2022)

• IEEE WIE Inspiring Member of the Year, honorable mention (2020)

The IEEE Turkey Section WIE Affinity Group received these awards under her leadership:

• IEEE Region 8 WIE Section AG of the Year Award (2021)

• IEEE WIE Affinity Group of the Year, honorable mention (2022)