2024-2025 ITSMF Board Nominees

Nominee will serve one term for two years.  

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Vice-Chair

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

BRM Institute (Treasurer), Skyview (Board Elect)

Brief statement of support for nomination:

Ibrahim is a leader who, through his vision, dedication, and hard work, has garnered the support of many within and outside of the organization. He has taken what was once a best-kept secret and helped transform it into a thriving community that is now known for its commitment to the elevation of Black Tech Executives. This success is not just a result of his unwavering determination for Black people to succeed and advance, but also the support of those around him who share in his vision for a brighter and more inclusive future. With ITSMF’s collective efforts, there is no doubt that Ibrahim will continue to build upon existing success and create even greater opportunities for those within the Family.

Platform/Goals:

Each One Teach One and Enable One to be One

As Board Chair, I will be focused and deliberate about ITSMF Family members making a positive impact in society with each of us being exemplars of Black Excellence. Every individual in this organization should be a force multiplier inspiring and empowering the next generation of Black leaders and executives. Thanks to ITSMF’s stellar track record of training, mentoring, and events, we are well-positioned to evolve our capabilities focused on C-Suite Leadership expansion, Black wealth generation, and entrepreneurship. 

As beacons of change and success, it’s not just about having someone to look up to, but also providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to thrive. So, under Johanna Jones’s leadership, perspectives from our founders, strategic direction from ITSMF’s Board, the Membership Body, our corporate partners, and sponsors, I will take ownership and responsibility for setting our North Star to Black Tech Excellence, championing change for all in the ITSMF Family.   

Board Vice Chair

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Board Member (8 years): Associate Member Board Representative (Vice Chair and Chairperson), Finance Chairperson

Committees (10 years): IT Advisory Committee, Membership Committee, Programming Committee

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

Year Up: Academic Advisory Council Member, Wearable Tech Ventures: Advisory Board Member, Georgia State University: CIS Advisory Board Member, YES! Atlanta: Board Member, Marketing Committee and Fundraising Lead

Brief statement of support for nomination:

I am honored to be nominated for this very important position on the ITSMF Board. I would like to thank Jane Harper for submitting me for this opportunity. ITSMF has been a valuable organization in all aspects of my life, and I am extremely passionate about continuing to increase the representation of black professionals at senior levels in technology. Giving back in whatever way possible to pay it forward to the next group of Black Technology Leaders is my primary driver. I humbly accept this nomination.

Platform/Goals:

Connectedness: ITSMF continues to grow each year as we are no longer the best-kept secret but the best-shared secret. This growth has been realized across the cohort increase in our academies, creation of new academies, membership growth, and expansion of corporate partners. With growth, there must be a focus on strengthening the family bond between existing and new family members at all levels. During the pandemic, we became extremely resourceful in staying connected, but we must maintain that momentum as we move forward. The family connection has always been vital to the success of ITSMF, both in times of celebration and support. It is the energy source of this organization. My purpose for seeking your vote for ITSMF Vice-Chairperson is to drive the development of connectedness programs to ensure connectedness continues to be a part of the fabric of this organization as we achieve our strategic goals and surpass them. I look to execute this with the support of our Chairperson, The Board, our CEO, The Executive Team, and our Founders. 

Goals:

1. Improve our local and regional interactions

2. Re-connect with Alumni and disconnected Members

3. Tap into membership talent and skills to drive our mission

4. Lean on our corporate sponsors to drive membership engagement

5. Define and communicate value-based connectedness metrics

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Appointed Board Member

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

Former Board Chair, W. E. B. DuBois Society; Former Executive Board Member, Northern Illinois Food Bank; Former Board Member, Junior Achievement of Georgia; Former Executive Board Member, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Former Board Member, Georgia’s Commission for School Board Reform

Brief statement of support for nomination:

Having been involved with ITSMF in various capacities for many years, the opportunity to continue serving as Vice Chair is the next step for me in bringing an impact to the organization. 

In my professional capacity at Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) – the largest executive search business in the world, our tag line is “improving the way the world is led”. We, as a firm, are poised at the intersection of the supply and demand of executive level talent globally – advising clients and candidates on leadership decisions. 

My day job at RRA is comprised of two key pillars, serving as a senior partner in the firm’s corporate board practice, and overseeing the Tech Officers Practice for the Americas. By integrating those two roles, I have now launched the firm’s CIOs on Boards initiative with great success.

Serving as Vice Chair of ITSMF, with its mission of cultivating executive talent among Black technology professionals, aligns seamlessly with RRA’s mission of improving the way the world is led, while enabling me to unleash my passion and track record for being a catalyst to the success of Black Leaders – to the C-suite and beyond. 

The ITSMF Vice Chairmanship presents a unique opportunity to marshal the full resources of my “day job” to support the Board Chair and the organization in driving those outcomes while integrating the path to the boardroom into ITSMF’s unique value proposition.

Platform/Goals:

First and foremost, my platform is to support the forthcoming Board Chair.

Within the goals and priorities of the Board Chair, as Vice Chair and Board Member, I will look to raise the stature of the organization:

1) Ensuring the awareness and distinctiveness of the ITSMF brand among key corporate sponsors and individual stakeholders
2) Continuously improving ITSMF programming to ensure its efficacy in preparing the next generation(s) of leadership
3) Leveraging my skills and insights in executive level talent development and assessment to equip members for their future leadership roles
4) “Raising the bar” as it relates to expectations of leadership opportunities – specifically going beyond the C-suite to the board room. Doing so will further the ITSMF brand, engagement, and retention of our statured members by adding to ITSMF’s unique value proposition.

Board Corporate Secretary & By-Laws Chair

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Finance Chair 2014-2016

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

Nashville Technology Council, Current Board Member

Brief statement of support for nomination:

I am writing to express my support for Noreen Cohen-White in their nomination for the Corporate Secretary Board Member position. Noreen possesses a wealth of experience and expertise in corporate governance, legal matters, and administrative leadership, making her an ideal candidate for this crucial role. Her commitment to integrity, attention to detail, and exceptional communication skills would greatly benefit the board and contribute to the overall success of the organization. I wholeheartedly endorse Noreen and believe she would excel in this important position. (Submitted by LaTasha Gary)

Platform/Goals:

My Platform/Goals are:

(1) Strengthen Governance practices with ITSMF: I will ensure compliance with legal requirements, maintain accurate records, and facilitate transparent and ethical decision-making processes.

(2) Risk Management: I will work closely with the board to identify, assess and mitigate risks, ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability.

(3) Strategic Planning: I will actively participate in strategic planning processes, providing valuable insights and expertise to ensure ITSMF’s strategic goals are aligned with its mission, vision, and values.

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

None

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

None

Brief statement of support for nomination:

Fulling the ITSMF Corporate Secretary role would allow me to directly support this highly progressive and significant organization, which I have been a part of since 2015. I am interested in Board service, this role would be an ideal way to support ITSMF while fulfilling a personal goal.

Platform/Goals:

I am interested in supporting ITSMF and serving on a Board.

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Ignite Advisory Board

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

NACSMA National Board – Plan and Oversee Events; HDI Strategic Advisory Board – Provide feedback on programming and events; 1842 Financial Group – Partner in a non-profit startup to increase financial education offerings to under-represented communities.

Brief statement of support for nomination:

ITSMF has been a major part of my career progression and I am happy to help anyway I can.

Platform/Goals:

ITSMF has helped me extensively, and anytime I can help ITSMF I do. My simple goal would be to serve the board and do my part in helping ITSMF reach its lofty mission.

Finance Chair

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Corporate Secretary, Chair – Technology Advisory, Member – Finance Committee

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

NSBE – DC – Membership Chair, Exec Board; Unity Fellowship Church – DC – Trustee Board/Treasurer

Brief statement of support for nomination:

​I have been an active friend of the ITSMF Family since 2012, an active Member since 2018 and active ITSMF Board member since January 2021. I’ve watched this organization grow and change lives over the years to include my own as it has provided a beacon of light to my current role as a CIO. I’m a strong believer in the founding principles that focus on developing and nurturing dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body, and soul. I am running because I am committed to ensuring that ITSMF can positively impact career trajectories for as many black IT executives and entrepreneurs as possible.

Platform/Goals:

If elected as Finance Chairperson I will immediately provide value to the board through my several years of non-profit board and committee leadership experience focused on advancement of black leaders in STEM via National Society of Black Engineers, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc (DST) and most recently, ITSMF. I have several years of experience serving as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees at Unity Fellowship Church DC and serving on the ITSMF Finance Committee. I have specialized credentials and experience for this role as I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) having practiced for ten years in audit and tax accounting for many clients inclusive of pro bono non-profit engagements. I also bring 20+ years of professional experience leading and guiding organizations through growth and optimization. As a C-suite member of a large non-profit membership organization, I am intimately familiar with the operating and strategic challenges ahead for a growing organization such as ITSMF. As an active board member, I have been and will continue to provide critical insights and guidance to the ITSMF leadership team as they navigate unchartered territory in the imminent growth of the organization. Further, as a current practitioner and executive for the National Association of Corporate Directors, I am well-versed in the application of governance practices to keep organizations on-track to achieve their goals and to contribute to the maintenance of board effectiveness.

In my current term on the Board of Directors, I serve as Corporate Secretary. In the past 18 months, I re-established the Technology Advisory committee of which I currently serve as the Committee Chair. Through the committee, I worked alongside the executive team and other committee members providing guidance and support as the ITSMF staff stood up several key functions and technologies around security, IT operations, payment processing and other process automations.

If I were re-elected to the Board of Directors, I would drive focus on the following:

• Ensure the financial plan remains aligned with and can support the growth strategy for the next five years.

• Implementation of automated tools to ensure ease of transaction reconciliation and financial reporting.

• Implementation of program and practices that ensure retention of ITSMF’s family connectedness and intimacy as the organization continues to grow exponentially.

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

None

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Technology Advisory Council; Greenwood Bank Board Observer Seat

ITSMF Board/Committee Positions Held:

Current ITSMF CISO Forum (Advisory) Committee member and former member of the ITSMF Planning Committee (Symposium & Special Events).

Other Non-Profit Board Experience:

Governing Board Member Evanta

Brief statement of support for nomination:

John Gift has 25 years of experience managing technology, enterprise risk, governance, and crisis management for global Fortune 50 to 500 companies, where he has served on several Sr. Management teams for companies generating $10 to $100 billion in revenue.

John Gift is the Chief Information Security Officer at WestRock (NYSE: WRK). WestRock is the second-largest global paper and packaging manufacturer with $20 billion in revenue and 50,000 employees and 300 facilities in 30 countries across the globe. John partners across organizations to enable digital transformation and increase competitive advantage and shareholder value. John would be a great addition to the ITSMF Board.

Platform/Goals:

John is a former graduate of the ITSMF Management Academy and is a current Executive member of ITSMF. Additionally, he is also a member of the ITSMF CISO Forum (Advisory Committee) and also a mentor and annual faculty member/speaker for the Management Academy. John is very passionate about the strategic goals of ITSMF. This includes developing and adding to the pipeline of future Black IT leaders and C-Level executives. He also wants to ensure that ITSMF meets and exceeds the original goals of ITSMF founders while also making this organization Financially viable and successful for the next 10-20 years and in the longer-term future.