Banafsheh Behzad

Title

  • Professor of Information Systems and Chair
    College of Business, California State University, Long Beach

Education

  • Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • M.S., Industrial Engineering, Northern Illinois University
  • B.S., Industrial Engineering, Sharif University of Technology

Professional Experience

  • California State University, Long Beach, (2014-Present)
  • Department Chair (Elected, 2026-Present)
  • Chair of the College of Business Faculty Council (2024-2026)
  • Member of the University Academic Senate (2023-Present)
  • Chair of the IS Department Search Committee (2025)
  • Chair of the College of Business Strategic Planning Committee (2022-2024)

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities - Member since 2010

  • Chair, INFORMS Professional Recognition Committee (2024-Present)
  • Member, INFORMS Finance Committee (2024-Present)
  • Member, INFORMS Professional Recognition Committee (2023)
  • Member, INFORMS Seth Bonder Scholarship Committee (2023)
  • Co-Chair, INFORMS DEI Ambassador Project Committee (2023-2025)
  • Member, INFORMS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee (DEIC) (2022-2023)
  • (Past-)President(-Elect), Women in OR/MS (WORMS) (2021-2023)
  • INFORMS DEI Ambassador (Co-founder of To My Younger Self Program) (2022)
  • Chair, INFORMS Membership and Member Services Committee (2020-2022)
  • Member, INFORMS Undergraduate OR Prize Committee (2021-2022)
  • Member, INFORMS Scholarship Committee (2021-2022)
  • VP of Meetings, WORMS (2019-2021)
  • Member, INFORMS Membership and Member Services Committee (2017-2019)
  • VP of Communication, WORMS (2017-2019)
  • Treasurer, WORMS (2014-2016)
  • Student Liaison, WORMS (2013)

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • President’s Awards for Outstanding Faculty Achievement, California State University, Long Beach (2026)
  • INFORMS Moving Spirit for Forums Award (2023)
  • Dean’s Exemplary Service Award, College of Business, California State University, Long Beach (2021)
  • Gilbreth Memorial Fellowship, Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (2014)

Selected National Service Activities

  • Editorial Board, INFORMS Transactions on Education (2021-Present)
  • Guest Editor, MDPI Mathematics (2025-Present)
  • Co-PI, National Science Foundation ($2.1M), “An Active Learning-based Educational Program for Hispanic STEM Students through Industry-University Partnership,” 1953727, 6/2020-5/2026

Selected Publications

Candidate Statement

It is a great honor to be nominated for the position of INFORMS Treasurer. In this role, I look forward to working collaboratively with INFORMS staff and the Board to advance two key strategic goals: ensuring operational excellence and long-term financial health and championing our profession and strengthening the INFORMS brand.

To ensure operational excellence and long-term financial health, I would work closely with the Board and staff to strengthen multi-year financial planning, promote transparency, and align resources with high-impact strategic priorities. At the same time, I view financial leadership as a means to support the societal impact of OR/MS and Analytics. Sound financial management reinforces INFORMS’ credibility and enables strategic initiatives that expand our reach and strengthen partnerships.

In this context, I will promote the use of improved financial analytics to support more informed, data-driven decision-making at the Board level. In addition, I will work to improve transparency and accessibility of financial information for members, strengthen budgeting and forecasting processes, and identify opportunities to optimize resource allocation. I will support initiatives that extend benefits for members while maintaining strong financial management. Furthermore, I will advocate for responsible growth and ensure that INFORMS continues to serve its diverse and evolving community effectively.

As Treasurer, I am committed to serving as a reliable, thoughtful, and collaborative member of the Executive Committee. In this role, I will help evaluate policies, investments, and strategic initiatives from a broad, organization-wide perspective, ensuring that decisions align with the long-term mission and sustainability of INFORMS.

I believe my prior and current service to INFORMS, both at the INFORMS level and within communities, has prepared me well for this role. In particular, serving on the Finance Committee for two terms has provided me with the financial insight, experience, and understanding to effectively address the responsibilities of the Treasurer. In addition, my experience as Chair of the Membership Committee and the Professional Recognition Committee has strengthened my ability to think strategically about member engagement, value creation, and organizational priorities. These leadership roles have given me a broader perspective on the needs of the community and the importance of aligning financial decisions with member-focused initiatives. Together, these experiences have equipped me with the skills and perspective needed to contribute meaningfully in this role. I am eager to devote my time and energy to advancing INFORMS’ goals and supporting its continued growth and success.

INFORMS is an incredibly valuable professional community to me and has played a significant role in my career. I truly enjoy being part of this organization and deeply appreciate the opportunities it has provided me for growth, collaboration, and connection. Volunteering with INFORMS is a top priority for me, as it allows me to give back to a community that has given me so much. I would welcome the opportunity to continue serving INFORMS and its members as a board member and Treasurer. I am eager to contribute at a broader level, to learn more about the organization’s strategic and operational efforts, and to support its success. Serving on the Board would be both an honor and a meaningful way for me to further my commitment to INFORMS and its mission.

For more information, please visit: personal webpage.