IBM Champions
| Company type | Recognition program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information technology |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | IBM |
Area served | Global |
Number of employees | 1,247 (2024) |
| Parent | IBM |
| Website | www |
IBM Champions represent a group of distinguished professionals, including individuals outside of IBM, who actively contribute to the IBM community.
History and Structure
The IBM Champion initiative was introduced in 2008 by IBM, starting within the IBM Information Management Software sector. This program is designed to honor visionary leaders who inspire and guide others to fully leverage IBM’s software, solutions, and services.
By 2024, the program encompasses 1,247 experts globally.
Champions are organized according to their areas of specialization:
- IBM Data & AI Champions (previously Analytics, covering Business Analytics and Information Management)
- IBM Cloud Champions (Cloud and Automation)
- IBM Power Systems Champions
- IBM Storage Champions
- IBM Z Champions
- IBM Security Champions
- IBM Developer Champions
- IBM Partner Ecosystems Champions
- IBM AI Applications and Blockchain
Participants are nominated by their peers and chosen annually through an internal selection committee at IBM. The designation is valid for one year and requires re-nomination each year, except for those granted Lifetime IBM Champion status.
Lifetime IBM Champions
Since 2016, select individuals have been honored with lifetime status in recognition of their enduring impact. Prominent Lifetime IBM Champions by specialization (as of 2023) include:
Collaboration Solutions
- Gabriella Davis (2016)
- Theo Heselmans (2016)
- Julian Robichaux (2017)
- Paul Withers (2018)
- Roberto Mazzoni (2018)
- Richard Moy (2019)
- Daniel Nashed (2019)
Power
- Pete Massiello (2018)
- Rob McNelly (2019)
- Jaqueline (Jaqui) Lynch (2020)
Cloud and Automation
- Alex Ivanov (2018)
- Tiago Moura (2018)
- Chikako Inami (2019)
- Harald Biedermann (2019)
- Paul Cortellesi (2020)
- Morag Hughson (2020)
- Greg Hodgkinson (2021)
Data & AI (formerly Analytics)
- Klaas Brant (2018)
- Stuart Litel (2018) – currently an IBMer and program alumnus
- Cindy Lichtenauer (2019)
- Scott Hayes (2019)
- Lester Knutsen (2020)
- Martin Hubel (2020)
- Mark Lack (2020)
- Dave Beulke (2021) – also recognized for Security and IBM Z
- Jean-Georges Perrin (2021)
- Heather Cole (2021)
- John Hassman (2014)
IBM Z
- Dusty Rivers (2020)
- Darren Surch (2021)
- Rituraj Mahato (2023)
Storage
- Bob Oesterlin (2020)
- Simon Thompson (2021) – also acknowledged for Power
Security
- Stacy Lee (2019)
- Stacey Gregerson (2020) – currently a program alumnus