ABOUT ITSMF
Who We Are
OUR PROMISE
Relax,
You’re Home
Imagine yourself at the end of day…you walk into your home, exhale and totally relax. You’re warm, safe, comfortable and, with any luck, surrounded by people who love you. You can be your true self. That’s what you’ll find at ITSMF.
Come into a “home” that enriches your professional and personal development, values your contributions, recognizes the uniqueness of your voice, helps you express your most authentic self, and offers a sense of community like none you’ve ever experienced.
We support every aspect of your success in a welcoming and safe environment. We invest in your journey—mind, body and soul—and send you back to your companies, your families, and your communities engaged, refueled, renewed, and ready to demonstrate your excellence. With ITSMF, you can relax…you’re home.
OUR STORY
Positioning Black Professionals
for Technology Leadership
The Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF), formed in 1996, began with a conversation between a few prominent technology executives who discovered that only 3% of information technology management roles were held by Black professionals. Studies suggested that not enough Black professionals were positioned for senior-level technology positions. This discussion sparked those executives, most of whom were CIOs of major corporations, to action as they were compelled to reach, teach and nurture aspiring technology professionals.
Under the leadership of Carl Williams, this 501c(3) organization began recruiting Black professionals who ranked among the Who’s Who in technology, along with companies and individuals that boldly dared to disrupt the status quo and seek more diversity, equity and inclusion among technology executives.
For 25 years, ITSMF has remained the premier national organization dedicated exclusively to cultivating executive talent among Black technology professionals. We are extremely proud of our history, encouraged by today’s progress and excited about the work still needed to fulfill tomorrow’s promise.
TESTIMONIALS
What Members Are Saying
OUR TEAM
Accomplished
Servant Leadership
The ITSMF Board is a collection of highly-accomplished, visionary leaders who give tirelessly of their time, talents and commitment to the organization’s overall success. Tasked with charting the organization’s vision, the ITSMF Board ensures all initiatives and programs support the advancement of our mission. Each esteemed member may serve up to two, two-year terms, in a given board position. We are grateful for their continued service and guidance.
Chairperson
Managing Director, Information Technology
Deloitte
Vice Chairperson
Founder & CEO
Ubiquitous Preferred Services, Inc.
Corporate Secretary and
By-Laws Chairperson
CIO
National Assn of Corporate Directors
Finance Chairperson
Senior Director, Enterprise Architecture
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
Board Member
CEO and Principal
Crouther Consulting
Board Member at Large
Sorenson
Board Member
CIO and COO
Miottech
Board Member
Global Technology Officers Practice Co-leader
Russell Reynolds Associates
Associate Member Vice Chairperson
Program Manager
Board Member
CTO Vice President
PepsiCo, Inc.
Board Member at Large
CEO, Certified Leadership and Executive Coach, and Corporate Advisor
Associate Member Chairperson
Manager, Global Business Services
The Procter & Gamble Company
Board Member at Large
(ret) Executive Vice President
Wells Fargo
CARL WILLIAMS
Chair Emeritus (deceased)
JOHANNA R. JONES
President & CEO
Responsible for the overall health and wellbeing of the organization, the ITSMF Executive Team consists of behind-the-scenes champions who develop and implement the strategic plan, oversee the day-to-day operational success and secure financial support to fund ITSMF’s transformative programs. The team’s collaborative efforts create unparalleled opportunities for current Black technology professionals to further hone their skills and engage more fully, while providing life-changing experiences that place emerging Black leaders on a path toward excellence.
President and CEO
SHERRELL BAILEY
Director, Events
Incoming Director Emerge Academy
Director, Events
CATHY WESS BUTLER
Executive Assistant
KAILEI CARR
Director, Emerge Academy
CEDRIC COBB
Director, Development
NIGEL CUDJOE
GIPD Administrative Program Manager
VALDA COWAN
Program Coordinator College Mentoring Program
Brand and Communications Manager
ERNESTINE KEY
Accounting and Development Specialist
Vice President Member Services and External Affairs
Director Executive Academy
Vice President and Dean Global Institute for Professional Development (GIPD)
Director Management Academy
VP, Operations
VP, Development and Advancement
Principal Consultant and Executive Coach
TheRoadB4U
President
Edmonson and Associates
President
WSF Associates and Partners
President
Creative Tech Advantage
SVP & CIO (retired)
Cox Enterprises, Inc.
President and CEO
Crowned Grace International
Director Business Systems (retired)
HSBC
President and CEO
Robinson Group Consulting, Inc.
Founder (retired)
CIO, EVP Wholesale Banking (retired)
PNC Bank
Founder and CEO
Gray Matters Analytics
Retired
Senior Vice President & CIO (retired)
Principal Financial Group
Investment Advisor Representative
PFS Investments, Inc.
Trusted Partners &
Strategic Allies
Our Partners’ commitments fuel our work. Our collective efforts are re-shaping diversity, equity and inclusion at the highest levels inside of technology organizations and increasing the “ready now” executive talent by preparing the next generation of Black technology leaders. Through ITSMF, companies have access to a wealth of diverse, executive-level expertise that can support organizational innovation, growth initiatives, talent retention and so much more.
VIBRANIUM PARTNERS ($200K+)
PALLADIUM PARTNERS ($100K+)
TITANIUM PARTNERS ($75K+)
PLATINUM PARTNERS ($50K+)
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DIAMOND PARTNERS ($25K+)
GOLD PARTNERS ($15K+)
SILVER PARTNERS ($10K+)
ITSMF collaborates with other organizations whose missions align with ours. Our strategic allies contribute to the advancement of technology professionals of color into senior management positions and fill the pipeline through programs that bolster and develop college students and emerging leaders in their early careers, preparing them for future success.
BDPA builds a pipeline of diverse professionals and aspiring students in the STEM and digital technology fields through innovative technical development programs.
CYVERSITY works to achieve the consistent representation of women and minorities in the cybersecurity industry through programs designed to foster recruitment, inclusion and retention – one person at a time.
Diversity in Action is a digital and print publication dedicated to supporting and promoting diversity in science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. We foster new ideas through articles representing diversity of thought, experience and perspective. We highlight individuals who identify as persons of color, those with disabilities, veterans, active military personnel, women and members of the LGBTQ community.
NPower creates pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities.
NSBE increases the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
Per Scholas provides skills training and access to employer networks to individuals often excluded from tech careers, supporting their vision of a technology workforce as diverse as the customers it serves.SUPPORT ITSMF’S VITAL WORK
We’re increasing the diversity of technology executives and
strengthening the pipeline of emerging technology leaders.
Help champion the pursuit of Black Excellence in Technology.
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