More Than a Magazine

After more than 13 years with INFORMS, this issue of OR/MS Today will be my last as editor. Writing that sentence feels both surreal and deeply meaningful. For nearly a decade, this magazine has been more than a publication to me – it has been a front-row seat to the ingenuity, curiosity and impact of a remarkable community.

When I first started working at INFORMS, I understood the importance of the organization’s mission (sort of). At the time, I was a production editor for a handful of INFORMS’ peer-reviewed journals, and although I was not well versed with what operations research and management science were, I knew that OR/MS was indeed important in making smarter decisions for a better world. What I did not yet fully appreciate – and what I couldn’t fully comprehend until I switched gears to work on the magazines – was the depth of generosity within this community. Members entrusted me with their stories – stories of breakthrough models; complex implementations; hard-won lessons; unexpected career paths; and bold ideas about the future of analytics, AI and quantum optimization. That trust has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.

From my very first issue, I quickly learned that OR/MS Today is not just about methodologies, technologies or case studies. It is about people. It is about the members who devote their time and expertise to solving complex problems, advancing industries and improving lives, often without fanfare. My role as editor gave me the privilege of helping share those stories, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone who trusted me to help tell them.

One of the great joys of this position is the opportunity to work directly with members from across disciplines, career stages and geographic regions. Whether collaborating on feature articles, highlighting innovative applications, summarizing award-winning projects or showcasing emerging voices in the field, I was continually inspired by the willingness of members to share not only their successes but also their failures and lessons learned, as well as their passion for advancing analytics and operations research.

Throughout the years, I also had the additional joy of connecting with many of you through What’s Your StORy? interviews (which began as a short written Q&A and has evolved into a full-production studio sit-down interview, complete with a green screen and INFORMS coffee mug!) and the newer Member in a Minute video shorts on the INFORMS YouTube channel. These conversations allowed us to step beyond professional accomplishments and explore personal journeys and fun facts, motivations and sometimes even unexpected paths that lead individuals into OR/MS. Sitting down with members to hear their stories reinforced something I have long believed: the strength of INFORMS lies not only in the excellence of its research and practice but in the authenticity and generosity of its people – and creating a welcoming environment for these people to come together and connect.

Through these interactions, one theme became clear: INFORMS is more than a meeting or just your professional association. It is a community that aspires to be a lifelong home – a place where members can grow, connect and contribute across every stage of their careers. Over time, INFORMS became that kind of home for me as well. I grew here – as an editor, a working mom, a teammate and collaborator, and as someone continually learning from a field that never stands still. I formed deep friendships here and found purpose in helping elevate the work of others.

Editing this magazine also gave me a unique vantage point on the evolution of our discipline. Over 13+ years, I have watched analytics expand into new industries, witnessed emerging technologies transform practice and seen our community respond thoughtfully to societal challenges that demand rigorous, ethical decision-making. The tools may change, the platforms may evolve and the buzzwords may rotate, but the underlying commitment of INFORMS members to clarity, impact and intellectual rigor has remained constant.

Of course, none of this work happens alone. I am deeply grateful to the authors who met deadlines (and occasionally asked for extensions to which I always obliged, ahem, Jeff Cohen); to the columnists who reliably delivered insight and perspective; to Pete Horner, Mary Leszczynski, Jim Cochran, Anna Nagurney, Tinglong Dai, Anne Robinson and many others for being a guiding post in my role and lending their expertise when I needed it; and finally, to my INFORMS colleagues – old teams and new – who care deeply about quality and service to our members. Producing each issue of OR/MS Today has always been a collaborative effort, and I have been fortunate to work alongside individuals who prioritize quality, style and accuracy. And who have made my days/weeks/months/years/decades fun and allowed me to fix their typos and grammar without taking it personally :).

I am also thankful for the many members who reached out over the years with story ideas, thoughtful feedback or a simple note of appreciation. Those interactions consistently reminded me why this publication matters.

For me, this transition is bittersweet. It is never easy to leave a place that has shaped you so profoundly. But I leave with gratitude – for the trust you placed in me, for the stories you shared and for the opportunity to help reflect this community back to itself in the pages of this magazine.

Although I am stepping away from my role at INFORMS, I remain a strong believer in the organization’s mission and the value it provides to members around the world. I have no doubt that OR/MS Today will continue to evolve and thrive, reflecting the innovation and energy of the community it serves.

To everyone who contributed an article, agreed to an interview, appeared on camera, shared a story idea or simply read the magazine, thank you. It has been a privilege to help document and celebrate your work.

As I close this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude, pride in what this publication represents and excitement for what lies ahead for INFORMS and its members – and me!

Good night, and good luck.