In this episode, our host Christian Zani sits down with Juhi (McClelland, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting APAC) to explore her inspiring journey across two continents - from growing up in India to building a 25 year career in technology in America and beyond. Juhi shares the defining moments that shaped her, the mentors and leaders who guided her, and why she believes learning, inclusion, and putting the customer at the center are the keys to lasting success. She opens up about her transition to Singapore, her views on leadership, work life balance and her advice for anyone aspiring to enter the world of tech. A story of curiosity, growth, and staying true to yourself.

1. [00:54 - 04:18] Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it influenced your interest in technology?
2. [04:36 - 05:54] Did you always plan to work in business and tech, or did you have any other influence?
3. [05:57 - 06:45] Was there something that pointed you towards IBM, any specific internship or any other opportunity?
4. [07:00 - 08:46] What kept you at IBM through your entire professional journey?
5. [09:16 - 11:41] Have there been any specific defining moments for you in IBM?
6. [11:53 -14:21] How did the flexibility of IBM’s career paths support your growth over the years?
7. [14:32 - 16:36] Was there one role at IBM that really transformed how you think or lead?
8. [16:57 - 18:37] How have your assignments evolved during this time, and what has the transition to Singapore been like for you?
9. [19:14 - 22:08] What do you look for when identifying future leaders?
10. [22:45 - 25:58] How do you encourage young professionals to see a future in the tech industry?

In this episode, our host Christian Zani sits down with Juhi (McClelland, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting APAC) to explore her inspiring journey across two continents - from growing up in India to building a 25 year career in technology in America and beyond. Juhi shares the defining moments that shaped her, the mentors and leaders who guided her, and why she believes learning, inclusion, and putting the customer at the center are the keys to lasting success. She opens up about her transition to Singapore, her views on leadership, work life balance and her advice for anyone aspiring to enter the world of tech. A story of curiosity, growth, and staying true to yourself.

1. [00:54 - 04:18] Can you tell us about your upbringing and how it influenced your interest in technology?
2. [04:36 - 05:54] Did you always plan to work in business and tech, or did you have any other influence?
3. [05:57 - 06:45] Was there something that pointed you towards IBM, any specific internship or any other opportunity?
4. [07:00 - 08:46] What kept you at IBM through your entire professional journey?
5. [09:16 - 11:41] Have there been any specific defining moments for you in IBM?
6. [11:53 -14:21] How did the flexibility of IBM’s career paths support your growth over the years?
7. [14:32 - 16:36] Was there one role at IBM that really transformed how you think or lead?
8. [16:57 - 18:37] How have your assignments evolved during this time, and what has the transition to Singapore been like for you?
9. [19:14 - 22:08] What do you look for when identifying future leaders?
10. [22:45 - 25:58] How do you encourage young professionals to see a future in the tech industry?

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Welcome to Inspiring Voices, IBM's podcast showcasing executive leaders. In episode seven, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Aparna Sharma, GM, Managing Partner, Offerings and Growth, IBM. Get inspired by Aparna's story where she talks through her career journey, what inspired her to join IBM and how she has navigated her way around the organization for 20 years and worked her way up to an executive position.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Welcome to Inspiring Voices, IBM's podcast showcasing executive leaders. In episode six, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Cristina Pontes, ISenior Partner, American Airlines and McKesson at IBM. Get inspired by Cristina's story where she talks through her career journey, what inspired her to join IBM and how she has navigated her way around the organization for 20 years and worked her way up to an executive position.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode six of Inspiring Voices
• [01:00 - 03:54] Can you walk us through your 20 year career with IBM?
• [04:00 - 08:35] Was there a defining moment for you in your career?
• [09:13 - 11:00] How has IBM set you up for success ?
• [11:10 - 12:57] How do you balance work and personal commitments ?
• [22:50 - 24:12] What motivates and drives you ?
• [24:26 -24:50] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In episode five, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Carl Bernadotte, IBM's new Global Director of Executive Search and Integration. Get inspired by Carl's story where he talks through his career journey, what inspired him to join IBM and how he has found his integration into Big Blue. Listen in as he talks through how he utilizes his techniques as a basketball coach and translates those into his leadership role, how he navigates his work/life balance and draws on his background & faith, the grounding force that makes him who he is today.

Listen for:

• [00:04 - 00:46] Welcome to episode four of Inspiring Voices
• [00:53 - 02:25] What your role entails and what attracted you to IBM?
• [04:00 - 05:17] How have you been set up for success in your new role?
• [05:49 - 09:34] What are some of your passions?
• [09:40 - 11:58] What advice can you give on coaching ?
• [12:00 -14:40] What drives you to be successful ?
• [18:56- ] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In episode four, host Christian Zani, takes us through the career journey of Nicolette Freeman, Vice President and Lead Client Partner for Aerospace and Defence at IBM. Get inspired by Nicolette's story where she talks through her early career in the military, and how she has transitioned into the corporate environment, sharing her advice for others who are wanting to or about to do the same. At IBM she details the secrets to her success, and how her championship mindset focuses her goal on how technology can make an impact in the aerospace and defence industry. Listen in as she candidly talks about ruthless prioritisation to ensure that everything important gets her attention, and how she dedicates time to giveback activities both inside and outside of IBM.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode four of Inspiring Voices
• [01:01 - 03:04] What your role entails and what attracted you to IBM?
• [03:39 - 05:13] Secret to your success?
• [05:32 - 06:55] Nicolette's military career and what inspired her to join
• [07:22 - 10:02] Combat experience and the corporate world.
• [15:27 - 19:32] Veterans and Black BRG groups.
• [23:18 - 26:15] Advice to vets wanting to join the corporate environment
• [29:15 - 32:23] Work life balance and the "cut line".
• [32:53 - 34:58] Advice to your 21 year old self.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In this third episode, we uncover the exciting journey of Maurice Blackwood, Vice President of Americas zSoftware and co-chair of the Black Executive Council within IBM. Maurice has 20+ years of experience at IBM, and while telling his story he truly demonstrates how executives are set up for success by a great support system of mentors, advisors, and leaders, as well as an environment of never-ending opportunities. He also elaborates on what true mentorship is for him, his strong belief in the need for work-life balance in order to thrive, and shares his tips: work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it. This episode also offers Maurice's reflections on what a diverse culture truly is and what a company can and should do more of to embrace it fully.

Listen for:

• [00:07 - 00:43] Welcome to episode three of Inspiring Voices
• [00:46 - 03:30] Why IBM and Why still here after 20+ years
• [03:40 - 05:47] Being co-chair of the Black Executive Council
• [05:47 - 10:10] Reflectons about diveristy and inclusion and what we could do more of
• [10:10 - 12:07] Being set up for success as a senior leader. Livning on the messy edge.
• [12:07 - 16:00] Reflections on mentorship and menteeship, and the importance of books as part of the equation.
• [16:00 - 19:22] Sources of inspiration
• [19:22 - 21:39] Opportunities for leaders, such as being on an acceleration team
• [21:39 - 23:08] About those pivotal moments
• [23:08 - 26:33] "You have to ensure a healthy work life balance"
• [26:33 - 29:42] Advise to the 21-year-old self, how to Work hard, stay balanced, and put some fun into it.

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

Join us for this episode as we dive into the fascinating journey of Dr. Nicola Hodson, Country General Manager UK & Ireland. Nicola reflects on IBMs culture and provides valuable insights into her experience as a new executive at IBM and how she navigates her path to success. Additionally, she tells us about her deep-rooted passion for science and technology, and how it intertwines with her commitment to sustainability. Nicola also sheds light on the importance of listening to your inner well-being and intuition while highlighting the impact of surrounding oneself with the right people—both personally and professionally. Her story serves as an inspiration, encouraging us to trust our instincts, embrace our beliefs, and persist in our pursuits.

BRG = Business Resource Groups

Brought to you by IBM’s Executive Search & Integration team, Inspiring Voices is a podcast series that showcases great leaders who tell their personal life story, career trajectory and how they’ve made an impact throughout.

In this episode, we listen to the story of Kitty Chaney-Reed, IBM’s Chief Leadership, Culture and Inclusion Officer. In her own inspiring and humble words, Kitty shares her journey, her aspirations, inspirations, mentors and – ultimately – how she got to where she is today. She also provides her view on leadership and success factors, inspiring us to make an impact both personally and professionally.

If you want to hear more from Kitty Chaney Reed, check out her interview about allyship in the BE EQUAL podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• [00:08 - 00:25] Welcome to Inspiring Voices
• [01:47 - 04:59] Why IBM, and Why IBM still.
• [04:59 - 06:14] What stands out in the IBM culture
• [06:14 - 11:14] How being set up for success can look like
• [11:34 - 14:18] One of those defining moments
• [14:54 - 18:00] The power of mentorship
• [18:11 - 20:57] Where inspiration comes from
• [21:09 - 23:30] Making an impact as a leader
• [23:33 - 26:25] There is no such things as a Healthy work life balance
• [26:24 - 27:45] Our guests advise to her 21-year-old self