IBM Alumni

✨ Thomas Vincent Learson - CEO from 1971 to 1973 ✨ Not every leader inherits a legacy. Some reshape it. In 1971, Thomas Vincent Learson, known as Vin, became IBM’s first CEO who wasn’t a Watson. It was a pivotal moment in the company’s history, and one that reflected just how much he had already helped transform IBM from within. A mathematician from Harvard and the son of a sea captain, Vin joined IBM right after graduation and spent 38 years rising through sales, marketing, and leadership roles. Along the way, he built a reputation as a gifted problem solver and a trusted partner to Thomas J. Watson Jr. His boldest legacy? System/360. At a time when the decision could have changed everything, Vin became one of the strongest forces behind the ambitious initiative that helped redefine business computing and fueled IBM’s rise as one of the world’s most influential technology companies. Watson later called him “the father of our new line.” After IBM, Vin carried that same sense of purpose into public service, helping shape international conversations on the future of the seas and environmental stewardship. This is the third story in our series on former IBM CEOs and the leaders whose decisions left a lasting mark on IBM and the technology industry. Want to learn more about T. Vincent Learson? https://ibm.co/6044Epfik #IBMAlumni #LikeAnIBMer

🌍 What if one internship could change the way you see your future? For Meshack in Kenya 🇰🇪, that's exactly where the journey began. As a Software Engineer at IBM, he worked on a project focused on measuring Above Ground Biomass (AGB) using machine learning models such as Random Forest and UNET to process satellite imagery. It was a unique opportunity to combine advanced AI with environmental conservation, proving how technology can help address some of the world's most important challenges. "This project was significant as it combined cutting-edge technology with environmental conservation efforts, making it both challenging and rewarding", he says. 🌱🤖 One of his most defining moments came just six weeks into the role. Meshack was asked to present his work to IBM teams across Kenya and South Africa. While the challenge felt daunting at first, he spent an entire week preparing with teammates, practicing his presentation, and building confidence. The result? A successful presentation and a lesson that would stay with him throughout his career. 💡 He learned that confidence isn't about knowing everything. It's about being willing to learn, prepare, and step up when opportunities arise. "It is okay not to know something – the important thing is to be ready to learn and adapt to new challenges." Since leaving IBM, Meshack has continued building his career as a software developer, freelancer, and startup co-founder, while furthering his studies in data science to expand his expertise and stay at the forefront of innovation. 🚀 Looking back, the most valuable lessons weren't just technical. They were about teamwork, adaptability, continuous learning, and having the courage to embrace challenges before feeling completely ready. ✨ Sometimes the opportunities that seem the most intimidating are the very ones that reveal what we're capable of becoming. 💭 What's a challenge that pushed you outside your comfort zone and ultimately shaped your career? Join our IBM Alumni Talent Network and find your new challenge: https://ibm.co/6045EpfiZ Once an IBMer, Always an IBMer. 💙 #IBMAlumni #LikeanIBMer

🌍 The best global leaders are shaped by the trust they’re given early in their journey. For Satish, across India, MEA, and the UAE, 16 years at IBM became a masterclass in leadership, global collaboration, and strategic impact. As a Global Procurement Leader and IBM Gerstner Award recipient, Satish led procurement and client success initiatives across telecom, aviation, banking, insurance, and public sectors spanning Africa, Europe, India and the Middle East. His work focused on managing complex outsourcing contracts, building resilient supplier ecosystems, and aligning procurement strategy with enterprise transformation. ✈️ Two experiences stand out. Leading procurement operations across 16+ African countries strengthened his ability to navigate complexity and build high-performing teams. In the aviation industry, he managed large-scale HaaS, SaaS, and IaaS outsourcing transitions that balanced agility, cost optimization, and operational excellence. Since leaving IBM, Satish has explored entrepreneurship, consulting, and industrial innovation, carrying forward the same values IBM helped instill: precision, structure, adaptability, and ownership. ✨ For Satish, the proudest achievement is not just the global projects or awards. It is the trust he earned and the mindset that IBM helped shape over 16 years of service. Once an IBMer, Always an IBMer. 💫 From local beginnings to global impact, every IBM journey leaves a lasting mark. Stay connected through our Alumni Talent Network and explore what's next: https://ibm.co/6041EpoqX

Who was Charles Ranlett Flint? IBM’s values, culture, and way of thinking trace back more than a century to the company’s beginnings. In 1911, businessman Charles Ranlett Flint brought together three leading data-processing companies to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (C-T-R), the organization that would later become IBM. While Flint was known for merging successful businesses, C-T-R was different. He saw the potential of an emerging industry built around information and technology. To turn that vision into reality, he brought in Thomas J. Watson Sr. As IBM’s CEO for 42 years, Watson believed that information and technology could transform the world. His leadership helped shape IBM into a global leader in innovation, business, and culture. 📖 Want to learn more about the origins of IBM? Explore the story behind how it all began. https://ibm.co/6044EpnPg

For Scott in Australia, returning to IBM felt less like starting over and more like coming home. Scott first joined IBM as a Brand Technical Specialist for IBM Z and LinuxONE in Dubai, supporting clients across the Middle East. Although it was his first role at IBM, he had spent years around the mainframe ecosystem through customers and competitors, making the transition feel both familiar and exciting. 🌍 One standout memory for him was experiencing the launch of the z16 platform. New IBM Z launches brought together customers, innovation, and an incredible sense of momentum across the region. But beyond the technology, Scott remembers the people most: the enthusiasm of the IBM team, the diversity of cultures across Dubai and the Middle East, and the relationships built through travel, collaboration, and shared experiences. Eventually, Scott and his family decided to return home to Australia. He took on contract work, focused on renovating his house, and reconnected with life back home. But something was missing. 💡 What inspired him to return? The products, the clients, and the trust customers place in IBM. Today, Scott is back at IBM as a Client Availability Leader, helping organizations get the most value from their technology investments while guiding them through future challenges. He describes the second chapter of his IBM journey as more hands-on, more customer-focused, and deeply rewarding. 🤝 One thing that surprised him most was how quickly the knowledge from his first IBM experience came back and helped him support others starting their own IBM journey. For Scott, rejoining IBM also brought something unexpected: confidence. Confidence in the technology, in the future, and in the impact IBM continues to have for clients around the world. Once an IBMer, Always an IBMer. 🚀 Join our IBM Alumni Talent Network to stay connected: https://ibm.co/6046EpRDA

Is Higher Education ready for responsible AI? Introducing Responsible AI in Higher Education: A Practical Framework for Institutional Readiness, a new resource in collaboration with IBM and designed to help Higher Education leaders turn AI ambition into responsible action. Discover how to: - Build effective AI governance - Develop AI-ready capabilities - Move from experimentation to responsible adoption Packed with practical guidance for Higher Education leaders, it's your starting point for turning AI ambition into action. 📘 Download the report: https://lnkd.in/eifTjKse #Bett #IBMImpact #HigherEducation #ResponsibleAI #EdTech

At 16, Mayara’s mom had to sign her IBM contract with her. Just before turning 18, she signed another contract together. ✨ It is still one of the moments Mayara remembers most clearly of the beginning of a journey that would shape her global career. 🌍 Mayara joined IBM Brazil 🇧🇷 at just 16 years old as a young apprentice, starting her career supporting the IBM Operations team as an Executive Assistant. Later, she moved into Customer Support as a CSR, coordinating mainframe installations across North America. Mayara became the first person at her site to receive a full-time contract before turning 18. Because she was still underage, her mom had to come sign the paperwork with her. 😄 What felt like a simple moment at the time became a symbol of trust, opportunity, and belief in her potential. Beyond the projects at IBM, it was the people and culture that left the biggest mark on her. The operations team became her first experience of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning. She also carried the idea that impact matters more than hours. That mindset continues to shape how she leads today, focusing on meaningful outcomes and balancing professional growth with personal well-being. Since leaving IBM in 2012, Mayara pursued new challenges, studied law, and fulfilled a long-time dream of living. Today, she serves as a Senior Global Program Manager in Germany, leading international technical teams that develop solutions for advertisers across global markets. For Mayara, the proudest part of her journey is knowing how far she has come while still carrying the lessons and values first built at IBM. Once an IBMer, always an IBMer. 💙 💫 Ready to build something great just like Mayara did? Join our Alumni Talent Network and be part of what’s next. https://lnkd.in/eiaTjX_N

🚀 50,000 voices. 50,000 reasons to be proud. Today, we’re celebrating a special milestone: 50,000 followers on our LinkedIn page! 🎉 Behind this number are the people around the globe who make this place special: former and current IBMers, leaders across sectors, entrepreneurs, mentors, and even friends. Thank you for your support, your posts, your comments, your experiences, and the many inspiring stories that enrich our community. We hope this space continues to connect people far beyond their time together at IBM. Thank you for being part of our community! ❤️

We are back with the second post of our CEO Chronicles series. This month, we’re sharing the second story in our series on former IBM CEOs, exploring their leadership, achievements, and lasting impact on IBM and the technology industry. ✨ Thomas J. Watson Jr. - CEO from 1956 to 1971 ✨ Thomas J. Watson Jr. led IBM through one of the most transformative periods in its history, guiding the company from the era of mechanical tabulators and typewriters into the computer age. During his leadership, IBM grew from a medium-sized business into one of the world's largest industrial corporations. Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1914, Watson earned a degree from Brown University and joined IBM as a salesman in 1937. After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he returned to IBM and steadily advanced through the company. He became President in 1952, CEO in 1956, and Chairman in 1961, playing a key role in shaping IBM's future and growth. He remained actively involved with the company as a member of IBM's Board of Directors until 1984. Thomas J. Watson Jr. passed away in 1993 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the modern computing industry. Want to learn more about Thomas J. Watson Jr.? Take a look at https://ibm.co/6044ETklA #IBMAlumni #LikeAnIBMer #IBMCEOChronicles