ISSIP taps Michael Turek to lead AI Collab for two years

The International Society of Service Innovation Professionals named Michael Turek to lead its AI Collab program starting July 1, 2026. The move is meant to expand industry-academic project work and grow the program globally over the next two years.

Why it matters: - ISSIP is using AI Collab to connect students, academics, industry partners, government and NGO collaborators around applied AI work. - The program is positioned as a bridge between education and real-world service economy needs. - Turek’s role could help ISSIP scale the program’s global reach and expand partner-funded projects.

What happened: - The International Society of Service Innovation Professionals named Michael Turek to lead its AI Collab program effective July 1, 2026. - Turek will serve a two-year term. - Turek is an associate teaching professor and program director for the Center for Business Analytics and MSBA at the University of Washington Tacoma.

The details: - Turek will define projects for AI Collab participants. - Turek will connect with industry partners interested in funding applied projects. - Turek will secure mentors and project managers from ISSIP’s global community. - Turek will help grow ISSIP’s AI Collab globally over the next two years. - Turek’s background includes data, analytics, AI and digital transformation. - His experience spans product strategy, revenue growth and market expansion. - Turek has worked on AI-enabled products, analytics platforms, business intelligence, go-to-market strategy, strategic partnerships and cross-functional leadership. - Turek has led prototype analytics and AI solutions for organizations in finance, healthcare, government, education, manufacturing and technology. - ISSIP says the AI Collab program was created to deepen engagement with its industry, academic, government and NGO partners. - ISSIP describes the program’s purpose as helping bridge the gap between educational institutions, student learning and industry, government and NGO needs. - ISSIP president Haluk Demirkan called the AI Collab program a critical bridge from knowledge to responsible impact in today’s service economy.

Between the lines: - ISSIP is signaling that AI Collab is a strategic program, not just an academic partnership effort. - The choice of a University of Washington Tacoma leader with industry-facing analytics and AI experience suggests ISSIP wants more applied, partner-funded work. - The program’s focus on global growth points to a broader effort to turn ISSIP’s network into a delivery engine for student and professional collaboration.

What's next: - Turek is expected to spend the next two years expanding AI Collab’s project pipeline and partner network. - ISSIP will likely use its global member base to recruit mentors and project managers for upcoming collaborations. - The program’s success will depend on how many industry partners fund projects and how widely ISSIP can scale participation.

The bottom line: - ISSIP is betting that stronger academic-industry AI collaboration can create more practical value for students, partners and the broader service economy.