SPAB 2026: A Strategic Commitment to the Future of Standards

1. You have just been appointed Chair of SPAB 2026, the 51st gathering of the people who quietly keep global industry moving. What made you say “yes” to the role?
   For me, it was an easy “yes.” My career has centered on leading teams that use technology to create and deliver essential, need-to-know content through effective, customer-focused products and services. At Wiley, I had the privilege of overseeing knowledge and learning for the professional and academic spaces. At Skillsoft I worked with over 200+ publishers and SDOs to license content for the Percipio learning platform, reaching 45 million learners.

Over the past six years at ICC, I have focused on bridging the gap between building codes and digital accessibility, connecting codes and standards to online platforms, APIs, and introducing AI tools to make understanding them more efficient.

Chairing SPAB 2026 is a natural extension of that lifelong passion: ensuring that the best knowledge reaches the people who need it most. It is an opportunity to help shape conversations that will define the future of codes, standards, and interoperability.

2. The standards world is not always known for hype, yet right now there’s real energy around data, connectivity, and collaboration. What is driving that momentum?
   There is no question that one major driver is AI. Once again, we are amid a wave of innovation and disruption – this time impacting how content and knowledge are created, accessed, and understood. AI is not just a buzzword; it is fundamentally changing workflows, decision-making, and even the expectations of end users.

But AI is not the only factor. Another exciting development is the growing ability to cross-link codes and standards and provide context. Users increasingly want to understand not just what a standard says, but why it exists and how it evolved. At ICC, for example, we are now linking video testimony from code hearings, both for and against amendments directly to the relevant sections of the code. That level of transparency and traceability is creating a richer, more connected experience for everyone involved.

3. SPAB 2026 puts interoperability at the center of the conversation. Why do connecting systems and people matter more than ever?
   Interoperability lets everyone focus on what truly matters: the quality of the content. When systems cannot communicate, organizations waste time on exporting, importing, and reformatting tasks that slow progress and introduce errors.

At ICC, we have been on a multi-year journey to author once and publish in multiple formats. This approach not only streamlines distribution but also simplifies corrections and improves accuracy. Interoperability is not just a technical issue, it is a strategic enabler, both within organizations and across the entire ecosystem. When systems and people connect seamlessly, innovation accelerates.

4. Looking ahead to the event, what conversation are you most looking forward to having?
   Personally, I am eager to dive into the strategic initiatives emerging from our member organizations. I want to hear what pilot projects are gaining traction, what is delivering measurable results in the short term, and what groundwork is being laid for the long term.

These conversations are where ideas turn into action and where we can identify opportunities to collaborate and amplify success across the industry.

5. When people leave SPAB 2026, what shift would you like to see in how we think, act, or collaborate?
   I would love to see collaboration viewed as a form of interoperability – because that is exactly what it is. When we share knowledge, learn from each other, and innovate together, we create a network effect that benefits everyone.

My hope is that SPAB 2026 sparks new partnerships and accelerates the pace and breadth of collaboration across the standards community. If we leave with a stronger commitment to continuous sharing and co-creation, we will have achieved something truly impactful.