Meet the Nominees for VP 2026

Christine Ouyang

Short Bio

Dr. Christine Ouyang is a technology and innovation executive passionate about transforming bold ideas into scalable, real-world impact. With 20+ years of leadership across AI, quantum, hybrid cloud, and edge computing, Christine helps organizations reimagine the art of possible by building advanced technologies, the ecosystems that drive adoption and go-to-market strategies. At IBM, she currently leads the development of generative AI applications including agentic AI and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems, focusing on improving developers’ and client support’s productivity, and overall enterprise transformation. In addition to designing end-to-end solution architectures, Christine built global innovation ecosystems by bringing together industry, academia, and government. Early in her career, she launched 10+ Collaborative Innovation Centers across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East—advancing joint research and real-world solutions in big data, cybersecurity, financial risk management, and healthcare. Later, she led the development of IBM’s global Quantum Network, establishing multi-hundred-million-dollar strategic hubs with startups, universities, national labs and industry partners to accelerate quantum readiness and commercialization. She founded IBM’s Infrastructure Technology Leadership Council, uniting 150+ IBM Fellows and Distinguished Engineers to accelerate innovation across brands. As a people manager, Christine recruited top talents and built global teams from scratch. As an IBM Master Inventor, she holds over 150 patents and have published more than 160 technical papers. Christine advocates for women in technology and STEM education; recognitions include IEEE Technology Innovation Award, Women of Color “Tech All Star” award, and features in Working Mother and Asian Scientist magazines. Christine Ouyang has been ISSIP Ambassador Lead since 2022.

Position Statement

I am honored to be considered for the role of Vice President of ISSIP. As AI reshapes industries and society, I am committed to accelerating ISSIP’s growth by leveraging AI technologies to enhance member engagement, thought leadership, and global impact.

My priorities as VP will be to:
1. Enhance Member Experience – Use AI-driven insights to personalize engagement, foster collaboration, and connect members to resources and opportunities.
2. Elevate Thought Leadership – Position ISSIP at the forefront of AI-enabled service innovation through workshops, publications, and research collaborations.
3. Amplify Volunteer Impact – Implement ethical AI to scale volunteer activities and double down on Benevity opportunities to convert volunteer hours into sustainable funding for the long-term growth of the ISSIP Foundation and ensure its continued success in advancing service innovation.

I bring a proven track record of visionary leadership, driving AI-powered innovation and building ecosystems that deliver business and societal impact. As ISSIP VP, I will work closely with the board and members to ensure that ISSIP thrives as a catalyst for service innovation in the AI age.

Haroon Abbu

Short Bio

Dr. Haroon Abbu is Senior Vice President of Digital, Data & Analytics at Bell and Howell, where he leads technology-driven business transformation through advanced analytics and digital innovation. With over 20 years of experience, he has built high-performing analytics teams from the ground up and developed next-generation solutions leveraging IoT, machine learning, and data science to enhance service efficiencies and unlock new revenue streams. A recognized executive in digital strategy, Haroon is known for his ability to integrate enterprise data applications and streamline operations to deliver measurable business value. His expertise spans global sales and commercial operations, including sales enablement, pricing strategy, ROI development, performance analytics, contract management, and sales compensation. His leadership consistently drives improved operational efficiency and sustainable growth. Haroon holds credentials as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Project Management Professional. He earned degrees in Industrial Engineering (BS, MS in Engineering Management), an MBA, and an executive doctorate, where his dissertation explored the convergence of physical and digital systems in business transformation. Partnering with NC State University and Germany’s RWTH Aachen University, he advances research and thought leadership on digital leadership. A frequent keynote speaker and published author, he co-wrote Trust: The Winning Formula for Digital Leaders (2021), a practical guide to digital transformation emphasizing trust as the foundation of successful digital leadership. At Bell and Howell, a global provider of IoT-enabled industrial automation services, Haroon continues to drive innovation and position the company as a trusted partner across retail, logistics, robotics, and industrial markets.

Frequent speaker, thought leader in Service industry. Chair of ISSIP awards committee since 2022. Board member at ServiceCouncil, Field Service USA. Researcher and book publisher. Professor of Practice at NC State University and City University of NY. Several papers published.

Position Statement

Engaging more fully on awards and recognitions can provide a powerful incentive for ISSIP participants to be active. By establishing and strengthening our relationships with each other, we can forge a stronger community of practice, content for platforms, and make the non-profit more engaging and sustainable.

Cecilia Lee

Short Bio

Cecilia Lee is a T-shaped professional based in London, operating at the intersection of industry and academia. With formal training in service design, she currently leads AI product innovation at Fieldfisher, one of the UK’s top law firms. Alongside her industry work, she serves as a design mentor for start-ups funded by the European Commission, supporting emerging ventures across Europe. Her career spans a diverse array of sectors—from software and luxury fashion to international organizations like the United Nations. Cecilia received a PhD in Service Design from Royal College of Art in London, UK. She remains deeply committed to advancing the fields of service design and service science, continuously contributing new knowledge and practices drawn from her multidisciplinary experience. She has also been closely collaborating with ISSIP Ambassadors to publish new book chapters in human-AI interaction from a service design and systems thinking perspective. Cecilia served the role of an Editor-in-Chief of the ISSIP for 2 years during the period of 2021-2023. She is also a founding member of SIG AI&Design the Design Society and the current member of the Service Design Network. Cecilia Lee has been active sharing interviews of ISSIP Ambassadors.

Position Statement

ISSIP is a successful community of practice that holds the potential to become a significant steward of service science. Helping ISSIP hear its authentic voices and by giving everyone a chance to share ideas will strengthen our community relevance and achieve significance. Online community brainstorming with our upcoming ISSIP Treasure Hunt starts a collective journey of amplifying relevance and mutual benefit. This includes membership engagement, patron financial support, and cultivating the next generation of service science leaders. I pledge to enhance the positioning of ISSIP to embrace this future.

Kevin Clark

Short Bio

Kevin Clark is an author, keynote speaker, serial entrepreneur, alpine skier and chef. Over the past four decades he has created and managed billions of dollars of intangible value starting at IBM and today with his own companies and clients. He is Director emeritus, Brand & Values Experience (IBM corporate staff) and the first Brand Steward for IBM ThinkPad notebook computers (today Lenovo). Kevin is a sought-after adviser about societal and technology trends, business frameworks and offering innovation, design thinking, organizing ideas and principles (“Strategies Worth Framing”), organization design and transformation, and is an expert brand & experience strategist for categories, companies and market offerings. Today he is President & Federation CEO of Content Evolution, a global federation of companies and professionals connecting “Listening & Leading” to “Intention & Attention” – Chairman & CEO of ChoiceFlows – CEO of platformUX – and co-founder of K2 Enduring Brands and SenseMapping. Kevin is a member, Stimson Center think tank, Loomis Innovation Council – member IEEE P7100 standards drafting group for AI Resources and Sustainability – People-Centered Internet (PCI) Community Forum chair – and PCI Ambassador to the International Society of Service Innovation Professionals (ISSIP). Kevin formed and led the IBM Brand Experience Community and was a member of the Market Intelligence Leadership team, and Market Management Executive Committee. Kevin serves on the board of 1200.Aero, ChoiceFlows, and UltiSim; a senior adviser to Storyvine and Unmudl, and Cognitive World. Kevin is the coauthor of Collective Intelligence in the Age of AI, Humanity in Motion, Healthcare Robotics & Wellbeing. He has published many peer-reviewed articles about AI, design thinking, human factors, and was lead author of the AHFE award-winning paper “Designing from the Inside Out.” Kevin Clark is an active ISSIP Ambassador who interviewed all ISSIP award winners in 2025 and is co-leading the first ISSIP Treasure Hunt online brainstorming initiative.

Position Statement

Helping the community interact with each other in more win-win ways…