ISSS Board of Directors 2025
President 2025–26
Yiannis Laouris
Active in ISSS periodically since 2003. Social-, business-, and science entrepreneur, Lead Scientist and CEO of Future Worlds Center [1]. Founding member of the Cyprus Society for Systemic Studies; Current President of the Board of the Institute for 21st Century Agoras [2]. Served as national representative in several COST Actions, Insafe, Inhope, EU Kids online, ECSO, Cybercrime Centre of Excellence, ECTEG – Europol, and as a member of Boards and/or partner in several high-tech companies [3]. One of the 12 authors of the ONLIFE Manifesto [4] and lead author of Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era Manifesto [5]. Leads internationally the development of theory, tools, and applications of structured dialogic design. Yiannis researches to scale up participatory dialogic processes engaging asynchronously thousands of people in meaningful, authentic dialogues, thus accelerating institutional and societal change. Holds an MD (distinction; Germany), a PhD Neurophysiology (summa cum laude; Germany), an MSc Eng (GPA 4.0: USA), and a PhD Systems Engineering (UK). 100+ papers/book chapters; 160+ conference papers.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laouris
ORCID number: 0000-0002-9081-5849
President Elect 2025–26
Patrick Hoverstadt
Patrick Hoverstadt has worked as a consultant since 1995 with organisations in the private, public and third sectors and in 24 countries. His consulting work has mainly been on strategy, organisational design and change. He specialises in using systems approaches for working with very large complex organisations including whole sectors. He has worked on over 200 strategy and restructuring projects, developing strategies and practical change plans, diagnosing structural weaknesses and designing organisations
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-hoverstadt-3666b4
Books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B002O23IOW
Past President 2024-25
Gary Smith
Gary is based in the UK. He is a Senior Expert Systems Engineer at Airbus Defence and Space.
He has a passion for understanding, appreciating complexity and the integration of solutions.
From 2019 to 2023 he served as VP for Systems Practice.
He is an INCOSE certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional and a senior editor of the Systems Engineering Body Of Knowledge.
He has a passion for understanding, appreciating complexity and the integration of solutions.
From 2019 to 2023 he served as VP for Systems Practice.
He is an INCOSE certified Expert Systems Engineering Professional and a senior editor of the Systems Engineering Body Of Knowledge.
Vice President Administration/Managing Director 2021-26
Jennifer Makar
Jennifer Makar is a committed administrator and systems science professional serving as Vice President, Administration at the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS), where she plays a vital role in overseeing governance, member services, and organizational operations. In this capacity, she contributes to strategic planning, supports the formation and management of Special Integration Groups, and ensures smooth execution of annual meetings and internal workflows. Her position reflects a strong blend of leadership, organizational acumen, and dedication to advancing systemic integration within the ISSS. Jennifer's work helps sustain the society’s mission of fostering collaboration and innovation across disciplines. Outside of her ISSS role, she likely brings additional expertise and experience drawn from previous administrative or leadership positions, though those details are not publicly available.
Secretary and Vice President Protocol 2025-27
Péter Érdi
Peter is a senior scientist and teacher. He was born and educated in Budapest, Hungary. Since 2002, Peter
has been the Henry Luce Professor of Complex Systems Studies at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He
also belongs to the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics in Budapest.
His scientific interests range from mathematical models of chemical reactions via computational
neuroscience to the theory of complex systems and computational social science. Peter teaches
interdisciplinary subjects, including complex systems, cognitive science, nonlinear dynamics, and
chaos theory
has been the Henry Luce Professor of Complex Systems Studies at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He
also belongs to the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics in Budapest.
His scientific interests range from mathematical models of chemical reactions via computational
neuroscience to the theory of complex systems and computational social science. Peter teaches
interdisciplinary subjects, including complex systems, cognitive science, nonlinear dynamics, and
chaos theory
https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Érdi_Péter
Treasurer and VP Funds 2022-2027
Gary Metcalf
Gary Metcalf is a Past-President of the ISSS (2008 conference), and an active member of the Board of Trustees. He served on the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Systems Sciences, as the President / VP from 2002 to 2018. His business background includes serving as Director of a small, community-based non-profit organization, then as a manager in two Fortune 50 corporations, running programs for over 30,000 employees each time. He spent 20 years teaching in university programs – in the US and other countries, and has owned and run a small consulting firm since 1998, with his wife and partner, Teresa Daniel, Ph.D.
Vice President Membership and Public Relations 2025-28
John Challoner
John is a a retired Civil Engineer, previously Operations Manager and company Policy Manager and expert in flood alleviation and multi-agency working. During my career I have had to deal with some very complex social and drainage networks. In my retirement I have written an innovative book on symbolic logic, am an independent social scientist, and write extensively on the latter from a systems perspective.Vice President Systems Practice 2025–27
William Smith
Bill is an innovative thinker and practitioner in leadership, organization, and social development. He has earned his PhD from the Wharton Graduate School of Business. He has been credited for solving some very complex problems for the World Bank. His work led to the development of his AIC Theory: Appreciation, Influence, and Control, which is a model of power and systems, based on the three dimensions of Appreciation, Influence, and Control:
Appreciation (of the whole): This dimension focuses on a group’s exploration of the ideals and inspirations that guide their work, encouraging a holistic, purpose-driven perspective.
Influence (among stakeholders): This centers on the dynamics and relationships among actors—recognizing how values are negotiated and shaped within a system.
Control (of production): This relates to the concrete structures and goals that emerge when the system is enacted—essentially how outcomes are managed and achieved.
Smith emphasizes the simplicity and efficacy of the methodology: by developing a personal understanding of each of the three elements—Appreciation, Influence, and Control—and dedicating equal attention to each, the framework becomes a powerful tool for navigating systemic dynamics Bill has been, over the years, one of the most active ISSS Members. He participates regularly in the Mini Symposia, writes in the ISSS Newsletter, and served in various positions of the Board, such as Vice President of Practice. He has also served as the Chair of the Special Integration Group SIG: Systemic Innovation, Engagement, and Leadership within ISSS, taking over leadership from Alexander Laszlo in August 2020. In this role, he has guided the SIG’s efforts to integrate theory and practice in systemic innovation, engagement, and leadership development.
Vice President Publications 2024-26
Jennifer Wilby
Jennifer M. Wilby is a distinguished American–UK management scientist and systems theorist, serving as a senior lecturer and researcher in Management Systems and Sciences at The Business School, University of Hull, and formerly as Director of the Centre for Systems Studies. She earned a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside (1978), an MSc in Cybernetic Systems from San José State University (1992), an MPH from the U
niversity of Leeds (1999), and a PhD in Management Systems from the University of Hull (2007). Wilby’s early career included work in urban planning, database programming, and textbook publishing, followed by roles as a research assistant at Hull and Lincoln, and a research fellow at the University of York’s Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Within ISSS, she served as President from 2010 to 2011—presiding over the 2011 Hull conference—and holds the position of Vice President for Administration. She has also held leadership roles as honorary treasurer and executive board member of ARCISS and as a board member of the UK Systems Society. In recognition of her lifelong contributions to cybernetics, Wilby received the McCulloch Award from the American Society for Cybernetics in 2014. Her research interests include general systems theory, critical systems theory and practice, systemic methodological review, hierarchical organization theory, and the utilization of systems thinking in shaping international health policy.
niversity of Leeds (1999), and a PhD in Management Systems from the University of Hull (2007). Wilby’s early career included work in urban planning, database programming, and textbook publishing, followed by roles as a research assistant at Hull and Lincoln, and a research fellow at the University of York’s Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Within ISSS, she served as President from 2010 to 2011—presiding over the 2011 Hull conference—and holds the position of Vice President for Administration. She has also held leadership roles as honorary treasurer and executive board member of ARCISS and as a board member of the UK Systems Society. In recognition of her lifelong contributions to cybernetics, Wilby received the McCulloch Award from the American Society for Cybernetics in 2014. Her research interests include general systems theory, critical systems theory and practice, systemic methodological review, hierarchical organization theory, and the utilization of systems thinking in shaping international health policy.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Wilby
Vice President Education 2024-26
Clifford Whitcomb
Dr. Clifford Whitcomb is a Professor of Practice in Cornell University’s Systems Engineering Program, previously a Distinguished Professor and department chair at the Naval Postgraduate School. He brings over 35 years of experience in defense systems engineering—including roles as principal investigator for entities such as the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research—and more than two decades in academia. A retired submarine warfare officer and engineering duty officer, Dr. Whitcomb holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering and Naval Engineering from MIT. He is a Fellow of both INCOSE and SNAME, serves as Editor-in-Chief of Systems Engineering, and co-authored "Effective Interpersonal and Team Communication Skills for Engineers".
Vice President Conferences 2025-26
TBD