A Message from WSS's President,
Lisa Mirel

To the Washington, DC Statistics and Data Science Community,

It is a great honor to serve as the 2026–2027 president of the Washington Statistical Society (WSS). I'm humbled to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors who have led this society with vision and dedication, and I look forward to working with all of you to carry that legacy forward.

This year marks our first year entering a new century as a community. Since 1926, our society has been contributing to advancement in statistical thinking, community-building, and public service excellence in the DC metro area. This is an exciting time to reflect on our history, our mission, and our future.

This year may also bring challenges, as many of our members navigate transitions and adjust to evolving professional priorities. However, we have many opportunities as a society to remain committed to supporting our community by staying responsive, fostering open dialogue, providing networking opportunities, and encouraging mutual support.

Our role as a regional society remains crucial. The Washington DC area continues to be a center for federal statistics, scientific research, and data-informed decision making. The work our members do, such as upholding the quality of data, advancing rigorous analysis, and supporting sound decision-making, has far-reaching relevance and significance both across the industry and the nation.

As we look ahead, we reaffirm our core values, honor the contributions of long-standing members, welcome new voices, uplift our community, and champion the vital role of statistics and data science across all aspects of civic life. We embrace the promise and complexities of emerging AI, recognizing its growing impact on our fields.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. I look forward to hearing your ideas, supporting your efforts, and helping WSS navigate into its new era. Within WSS, we will all become stronger, more connected, and impactful the more we work together.

Warm regards,
Lisa Mirel
WSS President, 2026-2027