Learning Officer | IBM | Austin, Texas, United States

Starting with just an idea, I created and launched an award winning, global training and certification program called the IBM Center for Cloud Training (ICCT). Self-paced, digital, engaging role-based education for popular industry job roles (architect, developer, SRE) and associated specializations like DevSecOps and Security Engineer, the curriculum and hands-on labs are organized into modular learning paths and prepare the learner for certification. This initiative has become the underpinning for IBM’s cloud upskilling initiative for our own employees. 

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What do achievements mean to you?

Achievements are fleeting; hard work, dedication and passion are what’s essential.

What excites you most about the work that you do?

I love a challenge, and this role was that! We started from scratch, and had to define the mission, build the strategy, recruite top talent, execute with excellence, and pivot as we gained experience and feedback.

Do you have a mantra or motto that you live by?

Always Pay it Forward has been the guiding principle for my work and family.

First job

One of my first jobs was working in a factory, folding baby diapers! We stood all day and counted out clean diapers into bundles of 10. The sheer boredom and repetition gave me a deep appreciation of the fortitude of many factory workers who will do whatever they need to do to put food on the table.

What was your journey like to get where you are today?

Once I’m bored, I must move on. I’ve never taken a job I was qualified for, so I’ve learned so many wonderful things!

How do you stay motivated?

For me, hope springs eternal. I get up each morning, grateful for another day.

Biggest missed opportunity

I was recruited early on by this startup company called RoadRunner®, the first cable-delivered high-speed Internet service to lead the marketing. I passed on the offer.

One word that best describes you

Grateful

How you’ve approached change

Enthusiastically – I embrace it! Change, to me, is a chance to make a difference in a new set of circumstances.

Most ecstatic moment

After my first marriage ended, I decided to give myself the Gift of Courage. I wanted to do something that was truly out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be whomever I was going to be in this new, unexpected circumstance. Consequently, I earned my P2 pilot license and learned how to paraglide. To qualify, we had to jump off a mountain (above the cloud level) and fly around it, landing 7 miles away on the beach. It was both exhilarating and terrifying .. but I did it!