Career Insights & Volunteer Leadership by IEEE Distinguished Speaker

Join IEEE Young Professionals Central Tennessee and Power and Energy Society at Tennessee Tech University (PES-TTU) for an evening of career insights and volunteer leadership with our distinguished speaker John McDonald – IEEE Life Fellow, IEEE Foundation President, National Academy of Engineering member, ABET Program Evaluator, CIGRE Honorary Member, and IEEE volunteer for 55 years.
Key Insights to Career Management
Drawing on 52 years of experience as an engineer, manager, and executive, John will discuss 12 important principles for managing a successful and fulfilling career. Through practical examples and photographs, he will explore career priorities, goal setting, professional growth, and the importance of aligning personal aspirations with organizational objectives.
Building and Leading a Volunteer Organization
Leading volunteers requires engagement, influence, and a compelling value proposition—not managerial authority. Based on 55 years of IEEE service and leadership at the local, national, and international levels, John will share practical strategies for building, motivating, and sustaining impactful volunteer organizations.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A and dinner for in-person attendees. The event is available both in person and remotely. Registration is required, and in-person seating is limited.
Speaker(s): John McDonald
Agenda:
Monday, November 9, 2026 | 6:00 PM CST
6:00–6:05 PM — Welcome and Speaker Introduction
6:05–6:45 PM — Key Insights to Career Management
6:45–6:55 PM — Break
6:55–7:35 PM — Building and Leading a Volunteer Organization
7:35–7:45 PM — Audience Q&A
7:45 PM onward — Dinner and Networking for In-Person Attendees
Bldg: Ashraf Islam Engineering Building (AIEB) Atrium, 1 William L Jones Dr, Cookeville, Tennessee, United States, 38505, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/576416