Greetings ITSMF Family!
Today, I am reflective. Having recently witnessed a successful week of the Global Institute for Professional Development capstone projects for the first time during my tenure as President and CEO of ITSMF. I stood in amazement at the plenaries, hooding ceremonies, the keynote with Linda Clement-Holmes, the fireside chat with Shellye Archambeau, and graduation! I marvel at the impact that this organization has through the Emerge, Management, and Executive Academies. We are truly positioning Black technology executives in the most transformative way. In turn, we are impacting human capital, innovation, and delivery in the largest technology companies on the globe.
One of my favorite African Proverbs says… “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” As I reflect on where ITSMF is today, I see the organization as strong, having a clear mission, vision, clear impact, clear value proposition and positioned to have an even greater impact in the future… Thanks to you, ITSMF Family!
Every ITSMF member, academy alum, Founder, Fellow, mentor, corporate partner, donor, college student, board director, speaker, author, and volunteer that joined us this academic year by showing up, giving your time, and your treasure to make this GIPD academic year a success – Thank You!
The next academic year is poised to include another record year of participation in all three academies – Thank you!
Despite the pandemic, inflation, and the great resignation, 135 leaders are now academy graduates and are committed to doing more than focusing on maintaining the status quo. They dug into learning and growing and looking ahead to the next level of leadership. And as usual, the Family rallied to ensure that this academic year was record-breaking. I must also thank the small, but mighty, dedicated, passionate, and hardworking academy directors and management team at ITSMF.
Get ready Family, we are already planning to take the GIPD to new levels with new development opportunities that feed executive leaders coming soon.
President and CEO, ITSMF
About Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Since 1996, Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) has been dedicated to increasing the representation of Black professionals at senior levels in technology to impact organizational innovation and growth. We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body and soul. At its inception, only 3% of senior-level positions in the technology industry were held by Blacks. With a half-million new computer-related jobs expected by 2028, ITSMF is committed to increasing the number of qualified Black professionals for these positions. For more information about ITSMF, visit www.itsmfleaders.org.