Jane Heffner Elected President of the International Federation of Robotics
Jane Heffner has been elected as the new President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), succeeding Takayuki Ito of Fanuc Corporation. Heffner, who serves as Global Vice President of Channel Communication at Teradyne Robotics, takes over the rotating presidency effective immediately. Adrien Brouillard has been appointed as the federation's new Vice President, completing the leadership team.
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Takayuki Ito for his outstanding leadership and dedication since taking office in 2024," Heffner said in a statement following her election. "The global robotics industry is at an important inflection point, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and automation. We will continue to build on the excellent work that Takayuki has done as ambassador of the global robotics industry."
Heffner's Background
With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning automation, robotics, automotive, and aerospace, Heffner brings extensive industry knowledge to her new role. She will continue in her position at Teradyne Robotics, a global provider of collaborative industrial and autonomous mobile robots headquartered in North Reading, Massachusetts, near Boston. Her appointment signals continuity and experienced guidance as the federation navigates a critical period of technological transformation.
Vice President Brouillard
Adrien Brouillard, a French national, will strengthen the IFR executive team with his deep international experience in automation. He has worked for over 15 years at the Swiss company Stäubli in various leadership roles, most recently serving as Global Head of Business for General Industry & Customer Services before being named Executive President of the robotics division in September 2024. Brouillard will work alongside Heffner to advance the federation's mission as global demand for automation continues to grow.
About IFR
Founded in 1987, the International Federation of Robotics is the voice of the global robotics industry. This non-profit body represents more than 3,000 organizations, including manufacturers of industrial and service robots, national robotics associations, universities, and start-ups from over 30 countries. Further information is available at www.ifr.org.
The source for this article is https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/news/2026/07/02/jane-heffner-is-new-president-of-international-federation-of-robotics/26798/.