The Annual Strategic Planning Subteam (ASPS) plays a vital role in supporting the SWE Senate’s mission to align Society initiatives with long-term strategic goals. Throughout FY25, ASPS served as a forward-thinking body focused on research, reflection, and providing guidance to ensure SWE remains positioned for growth, relevance, and impact. The team included Valerie Thomas, Alison Bergman, Jisha Bhattacharjee, Kelly Hon, Jola Ilori, Gaby Vasquez, Silvia Karlsson, Inaas Darrat, and Karen Horting.
Advancing Strategic Governance
This year, ASPS collaborated with the Board of Directors to explore how SWE’s governance structures can better support strategic decision-making. Through in-depth research, internal feedback, and discussions with the Senate, the team led key conversations around two major initiatives: the Senate Restructuring Proposal and the Senate Bylaws Changes. These initiatives are designed to enhance the Senate’s efficiency, inclusivity, and transparency for the future.
Key outcomes from this work included:
- A comprehensive review of current Senate structures and operations, highlighting opportunities for clarity and streamlining.
- Benchmarking of governance models from peer organizations to identify best practices.
- Development of a detailed restructuring proposal aimed at increasing accountability, improving strategic alignment, and fostering leadership development.
Supporting Broader Strategic Dialogues
Beyond governance, ASPS contributed to broader discussions on SWE’s evolving needs and future direction. This focus included:
- Agility & Flexibility: Promoting streamlined decision-making processes that enable SWE to respond more quickly to changing circumstances.
- Enhanced Volunteer Engagement: Strengthening collaboration to empower members and maximize meaningful contributions.
- Improved Visibility: Elevating internal communication across all levels of SWE to foster alignment and transparency.
Looking Ahead
The work of ASPS reflects a deep commitment to building a future-ready SWE — one where governance is a strategic tool and planning is embedded in the organization’s culture. As we look ahead to FY26, ASPS will continue to provide thought leadership and recommendations that shape how SWE evolves and thrives. With a strong foundation in place, SWE is well-positioned to grow, lead, and inspire through connected, agile, and sustainable leadership.
