IBM Champions

IBM Champions are individuals, non-IBMer and recognized professionals in the IBM community.

History and Organization
IBM introduced the IBM Champion program back in 2008, initially only in the IBM Information Management Software division. The program describes itself as:


 * The IBM Champion program recognizes innovative thought leaders in the technical community — and rewards these contributors by amplifying their voice and increasing their sphere of influence. An IBM Champion is an IT professional, business leader, developer, or educator who influences and mentors others to help them make best use of IBM software, solutions, and services.

As of 2024, the program has elected 1247 professionals across the globe.

Originally, champions were divided by categories:


 * IBM Data & AI Champions (formerly Analytics, and including Business Analytics and Information Management)
 * IBM Cloud Champions (including both 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

IBM Champions are nominated by their peers. An IBM internal committee publishes the results once a year and the title is valid for one year. The champion needs to be nominated every year, with the esception of Lifetime IBM Champions.

Lifetime IBM Champions
In 2016, in addition to being elected as an IBM Champion on a yearly basis, IBM announced the entitlement for a lifetime achievement to the following personalities (as of 2023):

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)

IBM Z
 * Klaas Brant (2018)
 * Stuart Litel (2018) - now an IBMer and an alumnus of the IBM Champions program
 * Cindy Lichtenauer (2019)
 * Scott Hayes (2019)
 * Lester Knutsen (2020)
 * Martin Hubel (2020)
 * Mark Lack (2020)
 * Dave Beulke (2021) - also an IBM Champion for Security and IBM Z
 * Jean-Georges Perrin (2021)
 * Heather Cole (2021)
 * John Hassman (2014)


 * Dusty Rivers (2020)
 * Darren Surch (2021)
 * Rituraj Mahato (2023)

Storage


 * Bob Oesterlin (2020)
 * Simon Thompson (2021) - also an IBM Champion for Power

Security


 * Stacy Lee (2019)
 * Stacey Gregerson (2020) - now an alumnus of the IBM Champions program)