2024: Moments that Matter

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.-Anatole France(poet, journalist, and novelist)

Happy New Year! If you are like me, you like to audit what you accomplished in 2024 and use as kicker to bounce even higher. As we settle into the first week of 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2024—a year marked by significant achievements at IBM and memorable personal milestones. To me reflecting on the past year offers both inspiration and strategic direction for the future. 2024 was stand out year for me, not only for significant personal milestones, like welcoming our daughter Navya, but also for advancing IBM’s leadership in responsible AI through strategic partnerships, particularly with AWS.

Personal Highlights

Welcoming Navya into Our Family

The year began with one of the most joyous events—welcoming baby Navya into our family. Her arrival has brought an immeasurable amount of joy and a new perspective on life. Each smile, giggle, and milestone of Nia's has been a celebration, reminding us of the wonders and new beginnings that life holds.

Professional Growth

Harvard Leadership Program

One of the most enriching experiences of the year was participating in the Harvard leadership program. This program brought together leaders from over 50 countries, creating a diverse and dynamic learning environment. The opportunity to learn from world-class faculty and exchange ideas with global peers was truly invaluable. This experience not only enhanced leadership skills but also broadened perspectives on international business practices and cross-cultural management.

Professional Milestones

2024 Highlights: IBM Think and AWS re:Invent Announcements

A major highlight of 2024 was the significant strides we made at the intersection of AI and our AWS partnership, showcased at both IBM Think and AWS re:Invent. With generative AI at the forefront of every business leader's mind, I am incredibly proud of our efforts to bring responsible AI to the enterprise.

At the IBM Think conference, we announced the integration of Watsonx.governance with AWS SageMaker. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to responsible AI, emphasizing transparency and integrity in technological advancements. This initiative marks a crucial step in ensuring that organizations can deploy AI with confidence, adhering to stringent regulatory and ethical standards.

Five months later, at AWS re:Invent, we furthered our commitment by announcing the integration of IBM Granite models on AWS Bedrock and SageMaker, focusing on embedding responsible AI at the model layer. This move is aimed at providing businesses with the tools to implement AI responsibly across their operations.

The response from our customers and partners to these initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a strong market demand for ethical AI solutions. The robust adoption rate underscores the trust that clients place in our ability to enhance governance capabilities, allowing them to leverage AI effectively while maintaining high data privacy and security standards.

These initiatives have received significant endorsements, including from IBM’s CEO, Arvind Krishna, at IBM Think, and were further emphasized by AWS leaders at AWS re:Invent. These acknowledgments have not only boosted our visibility but have also solidified our leadership in promoting responsible AI. These moments underscore our ongoing commitment to leading the industry towards more sustainable and responsible technological practices.

New IBM NY Headquarters

Another memorable moment was the opening of IBM's new flagship office at One Madison Avenue in New York City. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 270,000 square feet, is designed to house over 2,000 employees and features a 22,000-square-foot Innovation Studio. Being present at this momentous occasion alongside leaders like IBM CEO Arvind Krishna was truly inspiring. The new office symbolizes IBM's continued growth and commitment to fostering innovation in the heart of New York City.

Deciding to Stay at IBM

One of my most pivotal personal decisions this year came when I received an enticing offer from a leading name in AI world. Ultimately, I chose to continue my journey at IBM. The sense of purpose I derive from shaping next-generation technology, combined with the deep trust and relationships I have built here, convinced me that the best chapters of my story at IBM are still unfolding. I firmly believe in IBM’s vision to harness AI responsibly, creating sustainable growth for clients while driving meaningful societal impact.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With these reflections, I am enthusiastic about the year ahead. The accomplishments of 2024 have set a strong foundation for further innovation and impact. I am eager to continue driving responsible AI initiatives, deepening our customer relationships, and contributing to IBM’s growth.

Here’s to a promising 2025, where we continue to harness technology for good, guided by the lessons and successes of the past year.