Special Session – RAIN Alliance

Date: Thursday, 24 April 2025

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Abstract-

The RAIN Alliance is a global, community-led organization of hundreds of member companies that together want to create a smarter and more sustainable world by using RAIN technology to connect trillions of everyday items across their entire lifecycle, simply and inexpensively.

At the IEEE RFID 2025 event, the RAIN Alliance will present a morning of content to share market trends and ideate emerging use-cases as RAIN technology becomes deployed in B2C environments.

Session Overview-

  1. Expected market trends and use-cases in diverse markets Speaker: Aileen Ryan (President and CEO of the RAIN Alliance)
  2. Moving towards RAIN systems being deployable “out of the box” and solution design considerations. 
    1. Addressing the challenge of transparent, openly available manufacturing quality and performance standards for the industry – Speakers: Bahar Aliakbarian (Axia Labs) and Jesse Tuominen (Voyantic)
    2. Solution design considerations and how RAIN technology can shape the landscape of what’s possible. Speaker: Bill McDonald (WIS International)
 
 
BREAK
 
 
  1. Interactive session – what future use-cases may emerge for RAIN readers in consumer devices (and what the implications are from a technology/technical standpoint. The output of this session will inform future RAIN Alliance activities and potentially feed into research agendas. Speaker: Megan Brewster (Impinj), Paul Muller, (RAIN) and Juho Partanen (RAIN Alliance)

Our Speakers

Aileen Ryan, President and CEO of the RAIN Alliance

Short Bio- Aileen Ryan’s executive career spans software and hardware engineering, strategy and commercial operations with a variety of technology organisations. She currently serves as President and CEO of the RAIN Alliance. Aileen was named by Silicon Republic as one of the top 25 Irish leaders in the Sci-Tech world, and by IT Security Guru and KPMG as one of the most inspiring women in cyber security.

She holds an M.B.A., an M.Sc. in Computer Science, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and has completed advanced executive studies at the University of Cambridge and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Bill McDonald – Executive Leader in IT Strategy and Business

Short Bio- Transformation Bill McDonald is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in IT strategy, business transformation, and operational excellence. As Chief Information Officer at WIS International, he has driven innovation in retail solutions since 2019, specializing in inventory audits and self-scan technologies. With expertise in IT strategy, business process improvement, and data privacy, Bill aligns technology initiatives with business goals to deliver measurable results. Known for his strategic thinking and team leadership, he focuses on leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and foster organizational growth. Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Bill is dedicated to advancing technology for global business transformation.

Bahar Aliakbarian (Axia Labs) 

 

Short Bio- Dr. Aliakbarian is the Senior Director of Research & Development at the Axia Institute and an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University. She completed her Ph.D. in Chemical, Process, and Material Engineering from the School of Innovative Sciences and Technologies at the University of Genoa (Italy) in 2009. Before joining MSU in 2017, she held positions at the University of Genoa, Harvard-MIT Health Sciences & Technology, and the University of Sydney.

Dr. Aliakbarian leads the Axia RFID Lab, one of the first labs worldwide pioneering research on RFID applications in business sectors such as healthcare, food and agriculture, and advanced manufacturing. Bahar actively contributes to shaping the future of RFID application, serving as an Ad Hoc member of the GS1 Healthcare US Executive Leadership Committee and the chair of the RAIN Alliance Quality Manufacturing Workgroup, among other roles. 

Jesse Tuominen (Voyantic)

Short Bio- Jesse Tuominen holds a Master’s degree in Electronics and Measurement Technology and a PhD in Laser Physics and Optical Telecommunication. In 2006, he joined Voyantic as a Product Manager and partner, playing a pivotal role in the early development of RAIN technology. By 2009, Jesse had taken on the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As the lead hardware designer for many years, he spearheaded the creation of groundbreaking product families such as Tagformance and Tagsurance. Today, Jesse focuses on advancing new measurement methods, RF design, product prototyping, standardization, protocols, and intellectual property rights (IPR).

Paul Muller, Leader – RAIN Reader Smartphone Integration

Short Bio- Paul brings 20 years of industry experience across wireless connectivity, cellular, RAIN, and NFC, working at market-leading handset chipset manufacturers such as Marvell and Mediatek and RFID innovator EM Microelectronic. His industry contributions and innovation leadership have been recognized with an RFID Journal Live Best New Product Award, a Frost & Sullivan European New Product Innovation Award, a RAIN Alliance Significant Service Award, and an IEEE Senior Membership.

Megan Brewster, Impinj
Short Bio- Megan Brewster is Impinj’s vice president of advanced technology and brings more than 15 years of experience in technology and public policy. At Impinj, she brings clarity and strategy to the company’s product and technology roadmaps and fosters growth in emerging opportunities to deliver the Internet of Every Thing. Prior to Impinj, Megan served at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and GE Global Research. Megan earned a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from MIT with a minor in technology and public policy and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.

Juho Partanen (RAIN Alliance)

Short Bio- For more than 20 years, Juho Partanen has been a globetrotter in the RAIN RFID market, working passionately with others for the growth and scalability of the RAIN industry. His standardization experience spans ISO, CEN/CLC, and GS1. At the RAIN Alliance, Juho has been an elected director since 2019, and has served as the Chairman for three years. Juho Partanen holds a M.Sc. Degree in Applied Electronics and is a co-inventor in several patents.