Goodbye to Towne!
This month, we say goodbye to ACM-W Treasurer Chunlei Tang (affectionally known as “Towne” in our community), as she completes her term. In this interview with ACM-W Communications Co-chair Adriana Wilde, she reflects on her time with ACM-W and shares some of the lessons she will take into the next chapter of her professional service.
Adriana: You are now coming to the end of your term as ACM-W Treasurer. When did you start in this role, and what first brought you to ACM-W?
Towne: I joined the ACM-W Executive Committee in 2021 as Co-Treasurer, before becoming Treasurer for the past two years. Looking back, it’s been five incredibly rewarding years.
My background is a little unusual. I’m a computer scientist researching data governance, but I am also a U.S. Enrolled Agent, so I had spent more than 20 years working in tax administration before moving into academia. Although those careers seem very different, they’ve both taught me the importance of building systems that people can trust.
That perspective was what first attracted me to ACM-W. Throughout my academic
career, I’ve benefited enormously from international collaborations, so volunteering with ACM-W felt like a chance to give something back to a community that supports women in computing around the world.
Adriana: Looking back on your time as Treasurer, what are you most proud of?
Towne: People often think the Treasurer’s role is all about spreadsheets and reimbursements, but it’s really about making sure volunteers have the support they need to do great things.
I’m proud that we maintained transparent and reliable financial processes while ACM-W continued to grow internationally. Much of that work happens behind the scenes, but it’s what allows conferences, scholarships, celebrations and local activities to run smoothly.
What I’ll remember most, though, is the people. I’ve had the privilege of working with dedicated volunteers from around the world and serving alongside three different ACM-W Chairs. Each brought a different leadership style, but all shared the same commitment to supporting our community.
Adriana: Has the role evolved during your time as an ACM-W Treasurer?
Towne: Definitely! As ACM-W has become more global, the role has become much more complex. Careful financial management has enabled us to support activities across different countries means working with different currencies, banking systems, regulations and time zones.
At the same time, almost everything is now digital. Good financial management requires balancing the books through clear, transparent processes that make it easy for volunteers to work together wherever they are in the world.
Adriana: What advice would you give to the next ACM-W Treasurer?
Towne: Think beyond the numbers. Good financial systems should be simple, well documented and easy for volunteers to use. The goal is to minimise bureaucracy and help people focus on the work that matters.
And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Finance can seem intimidating at first, but everyone starts somewhere, and we’re all working towards the same goal.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions” — Chunlei Tang, PhD
Adriana: What has been the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with ACM-W?
Towne: Without a doubt, it’s been the people. Working with volunteers from different countries, cultures and backgrounds has been inspiring, and it’s reminded me how much can be achieved when people share a common purpose.
This experience also enriched my perspective as a researcher. My research has taught me that data become capital only when they create trust and support better decisions. Serving as ACM-W Treasurer reminded me that the same is true for financial governance. That perspective is something I will carry with me into my future research, professional work, and volunteer service.
“My research has taught me that data become capital only when they create trust and support better decisions.” — Chunlei Tang, PhD
Adriana: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the ACM-W community?
Towne: Professional societies are changing as technology changes the way we collaborate, but one thing won’t change: people are at the heart of every successful organisation.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served ACM-W over the past five years. As I begin a new role as Treasurer of IEEE Boston, I’ll take everything I’ve learned from this wonderful community with me. It isn’t goodbye! I hope to stay connected with ACM-W for many years to come.
Adriana: And we hope so too! Thank you for your service and for the time and care you have dedicated to ACM-W. We wish you all the best for your next chapter and look forward to continuing to stay connected with you within our community.