Sudha Ram Awarded Association for Information Systems Lifetime Achievement LEO Award

Sudha Ram, Anheuser-Busch Foundation Professor for Entrepreneurial Business Studies and professor of management information systems in Eller College of Management, has been awarded the Association for Information Systems (AIS) Lifetime Achievement LEO Award. This prestigious recognition, regarded as the highest honor in the field of information systems, was presented to Ram during the International Conference on Information Systems 2024 awards ceremony on December 16 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Established in 1999, the LEO Award is named for the world’s first business application of computing—the Lyons Electronic Office. It recognizes outstanding individuals whose sustained contributions have shaped the global field of information systems. Recipients of the LEO Award exemplify the peak of academic excellence and innovation, leaving a lasting legacy through their work.

As a recipient of this honor, Ram is celebrated not only for her groundbreaking scholarship but also for her ability to inspire students and colleagues worldwide. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on the field of information systems, extending beyond academia into broader interdisciplinary applications. Her work reflects the highest standards of professional and personal integrity, serving as a role model for the global information systems community.

“This recognition highlights Sudha’s incredible influence and leadership within the field,” says Karthik Kannan, dean and Halle Chair in Leadership of the Eller College of Management. “Her innovative research and commitment to excellence exemplify the very qualities that the LEO Award seeks to honor.”

The LEO Award is given to scholars whose contributions are not only cutting-edge but also enduring, with significant global influence across their careers. Recipients are expected to inspire respect from both within and outside the field due to the broad-reaching impact of their work.

Throughout her career, Ram has embodied these principles, advancing the understanding and application of information systems in transformative ways. Her receipt of the AIS Lifetime Achievement LEO Award solidifies her legacy as one of the most esteemed figures in the discipline.

“This recognition highlights Sudha’s commitment to engaging in transdisciplinary research and it recognizes the significant impact that she has had on the trajectory of technical research in the information systems field,” said Sue Brown, Stevie Eller Professor of MIS and MIS Department Head.