Since the AIAA governance changes implemented 10 years ago, AIAA’s engagement activities have been organized under the Council of Directors and its three divisions – the Integration and Outreach Division (IOD), the Regional Engagement and Activities Division (READ), and the Technical Activities Division. Starting in fall 2024, Dan Jensen, Speaker of the Council of Directors launched a task force to consider IOD and evaluate if it was achieving its intended goals, serving the best interests of AIAA’s members and the broader community, and creating value for the members investing their time in talents through its committees and programming. In May 2025, the task force presented its findings to the Board of Trustees and the Council of Directors. Following the presentation of those findings, the Chief of IOD, Jeanette Domber, took up the charge to find practical means to implement the findings. At the most recent Spring Business Meeting in May 2026, the Council of Directors approved the reorganization and renaming of the Division as the Aerospace Integrated Engagement Division (AIED).
The mission of AIED is to “[connect] cross-cutting aerospace initiatives that span technology, operations, and societal impact, fostering collaboration and integrative thinking to address emerging challenges and guide the evolving aerospace ecosystem.” To achieve this mission, the AIED committees were realigned under five new groups focused on the domain areas of aeronautics, defense and national security, research and development, and space.
The new AIED Groups are:
Aerospace in Society (led by Group Director Sofia Russi) explores aerospace through societal impact and historical perspectives, integrating technical insight with policy and public engagement to help guide responsible and forward-looking directions for the aerospace enterprise. Its current committees are:
- History
- Management
- Society and Aerospace Technology
- Sustainability
Defense, Security, & Intelligence (led by Group Director John Ehrhart) integrates cross-domain aerospace perspectives related to security, safety, and emerging capabilities, fostering collaboration among experts and external stakeholders to address evolving strategic and mission challenges unique to the defense and intelligence communities. Its current committees are:
- Airborne Directed Energy Systems
- Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
Digital Systems & Integration (led by Group Director Olivia Pinon-Fischer) advances the integration of digital engineering, computational methods, and data-driven practices to enable more connected, collaborative, and efficient development and operation of aerospace systems. Its current committees are:
- CFD Vision 2030
- Digital Engineering
Advanced Flight & Integrated Operations (led by Group Director Abdollah Khodadoust) examines emerging flight concepts and evolving operational frameworks, integrating technology, autonomy, and transportation systems to shape the future of aeronautical operations. Its current committees are:
- Aerospace Traffic Management
- Aviation in Multimodal Transportation
- High Speed Flight
- Transformational Flight
- Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems
Space Systems & Exploration (led by Group Director Daniel Dumbacher) promotes integrative approaches to the system of systems for science and exploration, connecting mission innovation, technical collaboration, and expanding partnerships across the space ecosystem. Its current committees are
- Space Exploration
- Space Systems
Other Impacts
These changes meant some existing committees were sunset and two groups previously under IOD were recommended to be realigned within the Institute’s governance structure. The International Activities Group has been rechartered as the International Strategic Advisory Committee, chaired by Luisella Giulicchi, and reports directly to the AIAA Board of Trustees. The Young Professionals Group (YPG) was moved under the umbrella of READ. Under the AIAA Bylaws, READ was strictly defined and organized in geographic terms. The YPG, traditionally, has not operated on a geographic basis and offers its programs and engagement at a national level primarily. When considering the recommendation regarding YPG, READ leadership proposed bylaw amendments of its own to broaden its definition that would enable the YPG and other membership groups based on a distinct aspect of membership, which could include geography or in the case of young professionals, career stage. This also prompted READ’s name change to the Membership Engagement Division (MED). These bylaws amendments were recently adopted by the Board of Trustees and the Council of Directors.
With the call for nominations for the 2027 election opening, it was important that these recent changes be shared with the voting membership. Look for future articles that will delve a little deeper into some of these recent changes.
• Related Reading: Call for Nominations for 2027 Election Candidates
