BALTIMORE, MD, March 26, 2025 – INFORMS, the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research (O.R.), AI, analytics and data science, has awarded the INFORMS Early Career Practitioner Award to Lili Zhang, Research Engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). She is being recognized for revolutionizing AI-driven decision-making at HPE by leveraging machine learning, knowledge graphs and advanced analytics to enhance digital marketing, customer engagement and strategic business growth.
The award will be announced on Monday, April 7, at the 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lili Zhang’s journey from China’s Yimeng Mountains to leading AI innovation at HPE is a testament to passion and perseverance. Raised in a family that believed “knowledge is power,” she developed a love for learning early on, inspired by her engineer relatives. She earned degrees from Central South University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a Ph.D. in analytics and data science from Kennesaw State University.
Joining HPE in 2020, Lili has led groundbreaking AI/ML initiatives, optimizing digital marketing, customer engagement and strategic decision-making. Her expertise in imbalanced learning, knowledge graphs, large language models and optimization has driven targeted campaigns, enhanced retention and expanded HPE’s GreenLake Cloud Platform.
Beyond her technical impact, Lili is a passionate mentor, earning the 2023 KSU Alumni Service Award. As a Senior AI and Machine Learning Engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of innovation, shaping the future of technology.
The INFORMS Early Career Practitioner Award was created to engage and recognize early career professionals in the field of operations research. INFORMS acknowledges the unique needs of practitioners and has worked to prioritize resources to aid in their professional growth throughout their careers. This award seeks to acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions within the initial five years of their post-graduation employment, and currently working outside of academia.
For more information on the INFORMS Early Career Practitioner Award, click here.
About INFORMS
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. With a network of more than 12,000 members spanning academia, industry and government, INFORMS connects thought leaders, experts and emerging professionals who advance and apply AI, mathematics, analytics, and other sciences and technologies to solve complex challenges and drive impactful decision-making. Through its prestigious peer-reviewed journals, world-class conferences, industry-leading certification programs, and a suite of professional resources, INFORMS empowers its community to enhance operational efficiency, elevate organizational performance and promote smarter decisions for a better world. Discover more at www.informs.org
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Contact:
Ashley Smith
443-757-3578
Media Contact
Ashley Smith
Public Affairs Coordinator
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3578