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

“It is difficult to put into words the impact that ITSMF has had on me. There is no other national professional organization of any type where I can honestly say that it is built on a foundation of true love, truth and caring. In fact, professional (in any industry) and love are typically oxymorons. Where else can you go where every person (whether you know them or not), no matter their professional status, is genuinely interested in your positive growth and personal welfare “just because” and not because of some self interest or ulterior motive? Just one place. Your family. And that’s why ITSMF means “It’s My Family”.

Linda Clement-Holmes
Corporate Board Director and Retired Chief Information Officer
The Procter & Gamble Company

“Increasing the representation of Black professionals at senior levels in technology requires a unified community of stakeholders to identify and guide the talent pipeline. It takes company sponsorships, prominent technology executives sharing knowledge, educators nurturing young minds, and advocacy organizations, such as ITSMF, focusing on development and career advancement programs for Black technology professionals.”

Paul E. Martin
Corporate Board Director
Retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Baxter International

“After being a member of ITSMF for nearly 20 years, the organization has become an inextricable part of my professional and personal life. ITSMF stands for commitment to excellence, while focused on lifting as we climb. I can think of hundreds of examples where members of this organization have supported each other and have reached out to the broader community to bring up the next generation of leaders. Leadership is not a birthright, but is earned over time through interactions with others. There is no better place for the development of current and future IT leaders than ITSMF.”

Michael D. Robinson
Vice President Healthcare North America
VMware
Seasoned Executive, Board Director and Investor

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.

MICHAEL BUCKHAM-WHITE
Chairperson
Managing Director, Information Technology
Deloitte

IBRAHIM JACKSON
Vice Chairperson
Founder & CEO
Ubiquitous Preferred Services, Inc.

RONA BUNN
Corporate Secretary and
By-Laws Chairperson

CIO
National Assn of Corporate Directors

DANE BAMBURRY
Finance Chairperson
Senior Director, Enterprise Architecture
Cox Enterprises, Inc.

MARILYN CROUTHER
Board Member
CEO and Principal
Crouther Consulting

EHRIKA GLADDEN
Board Member at Large
Sorenson

D. LENA HICKMAN-MIOTT
Board Member
CIO and COO
Miottech

ART HOPKINS
Board Member
Global Technology Officers Practice Co-leader
Russell Reynolds Associates

DA’SHAUN JOSEPH
Associate Member Vice Chairperson
Program Manager
Google

FERN JOHNSON
Board Member
CTO Vice President
PepsiCo, Inc.

DON NEAULT
Board Member at Large
CEO, Certified Leadership and Executive Coach, and Corporate Advisor

BENNETTE VEALS
Associate Member Chairperson
Manager, Global Business Services
The Procter & Gamble Company

THERESA WILSON
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.

JOHANNA R. JONES
President and CEO

SHERRELL BAILEY
Director, Events

CHERYL BRIDGES
Incoming Director Emerge Academy

RICHARD BROWN
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

DAWN JORDAN JONES
Brand and Communications Manager

ERNESTINE KEY
Accounting and Development Specialist

ELAINE NORMAN
Vice President Member Services and External Affairs

DR. JAMES O. RODGERS
Director Executive Academy

ROBERT D. SCOTT
Vice President and Dean Global Institute for Professional Development (GIPD)

DR. REGINALD H. TURNER
Director Management Academy

XENON WALCOTT
VP, Operations

MICHAEL WHITLEY
VP, Development and Advancement

CURVIE L. BURTON
Principal Consultant and Executive Coach
TheRoadB4U

STEVE EDMONSON
President
Edmonson and Associates

WILLIE FIELDS
President
WSF Associates and Partners

F. JOYCE LEWIS
President
Creative Tech Advantage

GREGORY MORRISON
SVP & CIO (retired)
Cox Enterprises, Inc.

STEPHANIE A. PARSON, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Crowned Grace International

AJ PEARSON, III
Director Business Systems (retired)
HSBC

ALANA WARD ROBINSON
President and CEO
Robinson Group Consulting, Inc.

DEBRA SAPENTER
Founder (retired)

WILLIAM “BILL” C. SCALES
CIO, EVP Wholesale Banking (retired)
PNC Bank

SHEILA TALTON
Founder and CEO
Gray Matters Analytics

JOE THOMPSON
Retired

CARL WILLIAMS (deceased)
Senior Vice President & CIO (retired)
Principal Financial Group

GEORGE WILLIAMS
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+)

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.

© Copyright 2020. All Rights Reserved • +1 (404) 514-4845 • connect@itsmfleaders.org

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