Welcome to Yasemin and Helen
New additions to the ACM-W Executive Committee
As we begin a new 2026–2028 term, we are delighted to welcome to the ACM-W leadership team our new members Yasemin Gulbahar as ACM-W Treasurer and Maria Elena (“Helen”) Chavez Echeagaray as Chair of ACM-W North America. Both bring experience, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to supporting our community, and we look forward to working with them in the years ahead.
Welcome, Yasemin — ACM-W Treasurer
Yasemin Gulbahar joins the leadership team as ACM-W Treasurer. Currently acting as a Visiting Professor at Teacher College in Columbia University, she comes with a wealth of experience in computing education and instructional technology as well as in senior leadership roles, having served as the Head of Department at Ankara University in Turkey.
Yasemin has already received a warm welcome from across the ACM-W executive —and her response captures something of what makes this community special:
“Hands down, this is the most positive and welcoming community I’ve encountered in a long time. Every single message brought so much great energy my way, and it only makes me more excited for the journey ahead.” — Yasemin Gulbahar
“I am beyond thrilled to step into the Treasurer role and work alongside such an inspiring group of people.” — Yasemin Gulbahar
Her message to the community ends with a promise that sets the tone for the new term:
“I’m ready to hit the ground running and can’t wait to collaborate and connect with all of you very soon!”
Welcome, Helen — ACM-W North America
We are also pleased to welcome María Elena (“Helen”) Chávez Echeagaray as the new Chair of ACM-W North America.
Helen is an Associate Teaching Professor at Arizona State University, where she combines her work as an educator and engineer with mentoring students and colleagues and supporting their involvement in professional communities.
She has been involved with ACM-W North America since 2020, beginning as Co-Chair of the Celebrations Subcommittee and later serving as Vice-Chair. As Chair, she will help strengthen ACM-W across the region, foster collaboration among professional and student chapters, and build connections with other ACM-W regions.
We are looking forward to working with Helen as she takes on this new role and to seeing the ACM-W North America community continue to grow and connect across the region.
Please join us in welcoming Yasemin and Helen to the ACM-W leadership team. We are very happy to have them both on board and look forward to working with them during the 2026–2028 term. We take the opportunity to thank once again their predecessors, Lindsay Jamieson and Towne Tang, respectively, for their valuable contributions to the ACM-W community.