With Jonathan Owen's gracious withdrawal, I am now the practitioner candidate for INFORMS President-Elect. I am honored, and I do not take this moment lightly.
Thank you to the INFORMS Nominating Committee for the confidence they placed in Jonathan and me. Thank you to Jonathan for a decision that puts the practice voice ahead of his own candidacy, and for making the case for a voice we both believe INFORMS needs.
My candidacy rests on three commitments I made in my position statement. You can read the full statement here: https://pubsonline.informs.org/do/10.1287/orms.2026.02.14/full/
The first is stewardship of decision-making science. AI is reshaping publication integrity, peer review, funding, and public trust. INFORMS' credibility as the connecting thread matters more, not less. I would work with the Board and editorial leadership to strengthen our advocacy for that credibility.
The second is a bigger tent that strengthens the core. These are not competing objectives; they are the same objective, seen from two angles. Practitioner engagement strengthens the institutional health that supports our journals, awards, and doctoral pipelines. I would deepen academic-industry collaboration and expand practitioner-relevant offerings.
The third is the next generation, globally. INFORMS must serve both academic and industry pathways for students. I would expand mentorship, modernize engagement, and build clearer routes from student to established professional. We can expand our global footprint through INFORMS International and Regional Conference pilots.
These commitments align with and accelerate what is already underway in the INFORMS Strategic Plan. This moment calls for the clarity to know where to invest and the discipline to know where not to spread thin.
If you have questions or want to discuss any of this, please reach out at stefan.e.karisch@gmail.com. I welcome the conversation.
Voting opens Monday, August 24, via a separate email from INFORMS' election vendor, and runs through Wednesday, September 30.
I ask for your consideration as you cast your ballot.