IBM Alumni

Welcome to the IBM Alumni Network! Once an IBMer, always an IBMer… #IBMAlumni

"The only reason I left IBM was having a once in a lifetime opportunity to run a start-up. My experience at IBM armed me with the ability to bridge what we were trying to accomplish from a business and strategy perspective with how we needed to execute from a technical perspective. I've carried that forward ever since." - says Ryan, who started at IBM as an intern, then consultant, and now, is an Associate Partner at IBM Consulting. Ryan Watts leads big projects focused on Sales & Service transformation. He works with top clients and manages many important partnerships. So what made Ryan return to IBM? "I fundamentally believe working with people you enjoy makes every day more fun. Having the chance to work again with the most inspiring leader I had ever met, Caroline Roche, was something I couldn't pass up." Tag someone at work who makes your day better! Great leadership starts with great people. 🚀 Are you a leader with deep industry insight and a passion for solving complex challenges? Join Us: https://ibm.co/6049BD7T1

He came for the job. He stayed for the future. And along the way… he found his wife. 💙 In 2002, Stephen joined IBM. So did his wife, Niamh. They started their careers the same year—and 22 years later, they’re still together, now as husband and wife. 💍 But that’s not the only love story. 💡 Stephen also found a passion for innovation. One highlight in his IBM career was working on a groundbreaking project with Arvind Krishna (now IBM’s CEO) when Arvind led the Watson Cloud Platform. 🚀 Stephen later left IBM and moved into senior product roles elsewhere. The skills helped, but something was missing. “I missed the culture,” he says. “IBM believes in helping each other, 🤝 building trust 🤔 and putting customers first. 💼 I didn’t find that everywhere else.” Now back at IBM, Stephen leads a Product Management team in the IBM Software Automation division. He’s more excited than ever about what’s next — especially hybrid cloud ☁️ and quantum computing. ⚛️ When asked about what has changed since his first IBM stint, after mentioning the advancements in technology, he jokingly adds dress code – "I have not seen a blue suit since I came back." 😄 IBM helped shape his story — from career to love to leadership. And it still is. ✨ 📍 Based in Ireland and looking for your next move? We’re hiring now — check out our latest roles by checking the link in the comments! 🔁 Thinking of rejoining IBM? Sign up for our Alumni Talent Network: 🔗 https://ibm.co/6046BDl2o

From Fresh Graduate to Z Architect at IBM! 🌍 Omar’s story with IBM began as a fresh graduate in the BeeZ program—a hands-on, immersive experience that trained young talent in mainframe technology across the Middle East and Africa. 🌱 It was here that he first discovered the power of collaboration and innovation. 💪 His most memorable moment from that era? “Collaborating with a diverse team on a project for Data & AI Z Software. Presenting our solutions to senior executives boosted my confidence and taught me the value of teamwork and creativity,” he proudly shares. After his first chapter at IBM, Omar took on a new challenge as an Application Owner at one of Egypt’s largest banks. Even there, IBM remained close, as his work revolved around using systems built on IBM infrastructure. The skills and mindset he developed at IBM helped him drive process improvements and build strong cross-functional relationships. 🤝 The pull of IBM never faded: “I always felt like I belonged to IBM. Being involved with state-of-the-art technology and a culture of innovation made me want to return. The company’s mission to solve global challenges aligns with my personal and career aspirations.” 💙 In 2022, Omar returned—this time as a Z Architect. Today, he’s not only solving real-world client challenges but also mentoring new teammates and shaping strategy. His journey has come full circle, and he’s thriving in a role that blends technical depth with impactful leadership. ✨ If you're also interested in returning to IBM, sign up for our Alumni Talent Network: https://ibm.co/6047B8lZl ✨ Ready to grow your career at IBM Egypt? Explore roles here 👉 https://ibm.co/6048B8lZm #IBMZ #IBMAlumni

Join #IBMSkillsBuild and data science YouTuber Tina Huang for a live, hands-on session designed to give you real-world AI skills you can start using right now. You’ll learn: ✅ Basics of prompt engineering ✅ Boost productivity with AI-powered tools ✅ Build your own AI agents ✅ Go from idea to execution using IBM Granite models and watsonx orchestration 📅 Date: June 25, 2025 🕒 Time: 1 PM ET (90-minute session + optional 30-minute Q&A hangout) ⏩ Register now and take the first step toward becoming AI-fluent: https://ibm.co/43NEA0m

Do you remember what it felt like walking into school after summer break — and seeing all your friends light up? That’s the feeling Dan got. Not at school. But back at work. Years ago, Dan worked at IBM, helping bring up firmware for Power processors — a complex project that helped shape what Power VM has become today. “That project really stood out for me. Power VM has grown so much over 20 years. Looking back, it’s rewarding to know we helped get it off the ground.” Eventually, he took his skills elsewhere — applying his experience in bringup, debugging, and virtualization to Linux-based testing systems. Then the right door opened. The right team. The right timing. And Dan decided to come back to IBM. “Now I’m working on I/O virtualization code for future Power VM releases. It’s work that matters, and I can clearly see how it’ll help our customers. Power is on an upward trajectory and I like that I can see a clear path from what I am working on to real value for our customers when they are able to use the features we are working to add to Power VM.” Still, what stood out the most to him? The people. "The most rewarding part of being back is getting a warm reception from people I admire and had missed working with while I was gone." Welcome back, Dan. ✨ If you're also interested in returning to IBM, sign up for our Alumni Talent Network: https://ibm.co/4k0NQUo #Power #IBMAlumni

Once an IBMer, always an IBMer! Do you want to stay in the loop and get opportunities delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the IBM Alumni Talent Network 👉 https://ibm.co/3EYMla1

We’re celebrating the people who make our job lighter, funnier, and more human. 💙 👉 Tag a colleague who does this! 😊

Alison was lying in a hospital bed, six months of rehab ahead, wondering if she’d ever walk or work the same way again. 🏥 Could she return to the tech world she’d left behind? Would she find the spark again? 💡 That spark had first been lit at IBM. Fresh out of university, she was commissioning private jets to deliver ThinkPad parts to Switzerland for a trade show. ✈️ The pace, the problem-solving, the excitement—it was the perfect fit. After three years at IBM, Alison’s career took her to Germany, where she did data analysis and designed websites, in the early days of the internet. 🌍 When she moved back to the UK with her family, she retrained as a teacher and also co-founded a consulting company with her husband. 💻 A serious back injury forced her to take a step back, but Alison bounced back and worked at different consulting companies, learned a lot about public sector procurement, contracting and delivering AWS cloud and website projects. But something kept drawing her back to IBM. 🔄 In 2022, decided to return to the company. "As a (suspected, not officially diagnosed) autistic woman in midlife, I felt very happy to come back to a place of genuine acceptance and belonging." 🌟 Now, Alison works as a Consultant with clients in the financial sector, helping them change the way they work to deliver better, faster results. 📈 And what excites her most? The incredible breakthroughs happening at IBM — AI, quantum computing, and new chip technologies — that she’s already helping bring to life for clients. 🤖💻 "My mum was a punchcard programmer, so when I see how far we've come in quantum, AI, and chips in her lifetime, it’s incredible. As an IBM Consultant, it's exciting to be at the forefront of these changes." she says. Alison’s IBM legacy runs deep. Her dad (85), a former IBMer, recently used GenAI to draft a quantum talk for his retirement group – how cool is that? 🙌 "I still have my dad's original THINK pad, a brown leather notepad Thomas Watson Jr. issued to staff. It’s special to visit the IBM museum in Hursley and see items my family worked on." 🖋️ Welcome back, Alison! ✨ Interested to return to IBM in the UK? We're looking for talented professionals with active security clearance to join our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Center. Ready for the challenge? Apply here: https://ibm.co/4k7rGjg

“Returning to IBM felt like I'd never left — familiar faces, new challenges, and a renewed sense of purpose.”