Past Awards
Anne G. Robinson has been an active advocate for the field of operations research ever since discovering the profession as an undergraduate mathematics student. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Anne received her BScH in mathematics from Acadia University, her MASc in management sciences from University of Waterloo, and her MSc and PhD in industrial engineering from Stanford University.
Throughout her career, Anne has been dedicated to the application of analytics and operations research to solve problems. Following her time at Stanford, Anne spent several years at Cisco Systems, a high tech networking company, where her responsibilities included managing advanced analytics, business intelligence, and performance management teams across the supply chain. As the driving force for many foundational and cross-functional process innovations, she helped establish Cisco's presence and recognition as a leader in business intelligence and analytics, including being inducted into the balanced scorecard hall of fame.
Currently, Anne Robinson is the Executive Director of Supply Chain Strategy and Forward Operations for Verizon Wireless. Her team’s responsibilities include applying operations research and advanced analytics across the supply chain leading to improved product life cycle management, working capital optimization, and cost reduction.
Anne has been a member of INFORMS since her graduate school days, where she was president of the Stanford INFORMS student chapter as well as an editor for OR/MS Tomorrow. Her service to the society has only expanded. She has served multiple times on the Franz Edelman Competition as a verifier and judge, chaired several committees (including the membership committee and professional recognition committee), and served for seven years on the INFORMS Board. As INFORMS Vice President for Marketing, Communications, and Outreach, Robinson was a powerful force in shaping the strategic plan for INFORMS’ pioneering decision to grow from operations research and management science to the related field of analytics. When she became president, she combined careful preparation on INFORMS Board with public advocacy, becoming one of the top INFORMS spokespeople on analytics. She traveled not only to INFORMS meetings but to diverse business, analytics, and data science conferences, granting numerous interviews in different media to explain INFORMS’ unique contribution to the exciting field of analytics.
During Anne’s term, INFORMS unfolded Analytics magazine, INFORMS certification, continuing education, enhanced information technology, and several new outreach programs. Following her service on the INFORMS Board, she became the founding editor of INFORMS Editor’s Cut, a comprehensive online multimedia collection examining important research areas in operation research and analytics.
Additionally, Robinson has served on several advisory boards including the SAS Analytical Customer Advisory Board and was a topical editor for the Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science. She is a popular speaker, and continues to represent INFORMS and the profession during industry events, interviews, and podcasts.
For her many contributions to the field of operations research and analytics, and for her distinguished service to INFORMS, it is with sincere appreciation to award the 2015 George E. Kimball Medal to Anne G. Robinson.