Abstract
Looking back on my professional journey, I am struck by how much of it was shaped by people, opportunities, and experiences I could not have anticipated as a student at the University of Michigan.

In this talk, I will reflect on my journey from the University of Michigan’s Industrial and Operations Engineering program to my current role as a Directorate Head at the National Science Foundation, and how my Michigan education prepared me for the opportunities and challenges along the way. I will share lessons learned about
leadership, collaboration, resilience, and the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities.

I hope to encourage students to build a strong foundation, stay curious, embrace opportunities, and recognize that a meaningful career does not always follow a predictable path.

Biography
Dr. Irina Dolinskaya is the Directorate Head for Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Previously, she served as Deputy Division Director and Program Director at NSF and as a faculty member in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University.

A proud Michigan alumna, Dr. Dolinskaya earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and her B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on transportation science and logistics, including humanitarian logistics, vessel performance, and electric vehicle routing. She credits her education at Michigan as an important foundation for her academic and professional journey.