Pooja Dewan

Title

Pooja_Dewan_crop_1

Managing Member, Maverick Insights

Education

  • Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, Penn State University, 2000
  • Master’s, Industrial Engineering, Penn State University, 1996

Professional Experience

  • Managing Member, Maverick Insights (2024-Present)
  • Vice President & Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Otis Elevator Company (2019-2023)
  • Chief Data Scientist, BNSF Railway (2015-2019)
  • General Director, Manager, Specialist, BNSF Railway (2006-2015)

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities (Member since 1996)

  • President, INFORMS Practice Section (2020-2021); Practice Board Member (2012-Present)
  • Chair, INFORMS Edelman Award Committee (2018-2019); Gala Chair (2016-2017)
  • Chair, INFORMS Industry Engagement Committee (2016)
  • Co-Editor, Interfaces Editorial Board (2017-2018); INFORMS TutORials Special Issue (2024)
  • INFORMS Conference Planning Committee (Seattle)
  • Member, INFORMS Membership & Communities Committee (2024-2025)
  • President, INFORMS Railway Applications Section (2005-2006)
  • Judge, Edelman, Wagner, IAAA, and INFORMS Awards (Multiple Years)

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • INFORMS Prize (2018)
  • INFORMS Innovative Applications in Analytics Award (IAAA) Finalist (2018)
  • Wagner Prize Finalist (2019); Edelman Semifinalist (2010)
  • INFORMS Distinguished Volunteer Service Award (2017)
  • Top 100 Data & Analytics Professionals (2022, 2023)
  • RAS Distinguished Member Award

Selected Publications

  • 6+ Refereed publications, chapters, 30+ refereed publications of teams under my leadership
  • Strategic Advisory Board, INFORMS Practice (2021-2023)
  • INFORMS Roundtable (2015-2023)
  • Advisory Board Member: Datacolors, Texas A&M Data Science Engineering (2024-Present)
  • Chair, Technology Committee, T200 (Women Leaders in Technology)
  • Keynote Speaker, IIE Conference; Panelist – AI & Analytics (2010-2025)
  • Ceremony Host, Edelman Gala (2024)

Candidate Statement

As VP of Practice, my focus will be to strengthen INFORMS’ position as a leading professional organization for both academic excellence and applied innovation, while ensuring that the deep rigor and core management science principles that have always defined our field continue to thrive.

  1. Strengthening Academic-Industry Collaborations While Preserving Core Foundations
    INFORMS has long played a crucial role in bridging academia and industry, and as AI and data science continue to evolve, the value of this collaboration is more significant than ever. My work at BNSF and Otis has reinforced the importance of collaboration, where mathematical models and cutting-edge AI converge to solve real-world challenges. As VP of Practice, I will:
    • Continue to strengthen partnerships between academia and industry to drive research that directly addresses practical challenges.
    • Ensure that foundational research in operations research (O.R.) continues to drive real-world innovations across industries, maintaining our commitment to core O.R. principles.
  2. Expanding INFORMS’ Influence in Emerging Analytics Fields While Upholding Mathematical Rigor
    The growing fields of AI, machine learning, and data analytics are transforming industries and INFORMS must continue to lead the way in shaping these disciplines through rigorous research and application. As VP of Practice, I will:
    • Build partnerships with technology leaders, ensuring INFORMS remains a leader in analytics and applied research, while holding fast to our principles.
    • Elevate the voices of academic scholars who are pushing the boundaries of pure and applied analytics, ensuring their contributions are central to the future.
  3. Creating Lifelong Learning Communities that Integrate Academic Rigor with Practical Application
    INFORMS has always supported professional growth, and as VP of Practice, I will ensure that we create continuous learning opportunities that integrate academic research with the latest practical advancements. This includes:
    • Peer-led communities for knowledge exchange and the development of both theoretical expertise and practical applications.
    • Leadership development programs that help members become influential leaders in both research and industry applications.

Why Me – and How I Will Serve

With a career at the intersection of AI, analytics, and operations, I am deeply committed to advancing INFORMS’ mission. Whether creating AI-driven solutions at Otis or leading transformative initiatives at BNSF, I have consistently focused on translating research into real-world solutions. As VP of Practice, I will leverage my experience to strengthen academic-industry collaborations, expand INFORMS’ leadership in AI and analytics, and foster a thriving, inclusive community where members grow, contribute, and innovate together.

I believe in INFORMS’ potential to lead the future of analytics and AI, and I am committed to driving this vision forward by building bridges, supporting innovation, and cultivating a dynamic and collaborative community.

For more information, please visit: www.linkedin.com/in/pooja-dewan