My tenure at IBM has come to an end, but the narrative I’ve spent two decades building is far from over. As I close this chapter, I find myself looking toward the next—searching for an organization ready to leverage twenty years of experience in global training strategy and digital transformation.
The past year was defined by a singular mission: overseeing the deployment of AI-driven tools to accelerate learning content development. I witnessed the immediate, complex results of those efforts firsthand. Now, I am eager to carry that momentum forward. But before I step into the future, I must reflect on the remarkable, often unpredictable, year that was 2025.
Leadership in a Time of Transition
The year began in the wake of 2024’s reorganizations. I found myself leading a new team, positioned as the primary subject matter expert for our portfolio. With a deep understanding of our clients’ needs and our go-to-market strategy, I possessed a clear vision for aligning our curriculum with the company’s broader goals.
My team was a study in contrasts: seasoned professionals familiar with the product line working alongside early-career hires navigating their first corporate roles. This dynamic shifted my focus toward intensive coaching. Unlike previous mentorships with mid-career colleagues, this year required a more foundational approach. I invested deeply in one-on-one sessions, helping these new professionals bridge the gap between academia and the complexities of IBM’s culture. Watching them transform into confident, high-performing contributors remains one of my proudest achievements of the year.
Innovation and Connection
By summer, the focus shifted to "agentic AI." I had the privilege of leading team "Perfect Pitch" in the third annual 2025 watsonx Challenge. This internal "hackathon" is a rare opportunity to collaborate outside of traditional silos. Our diverse group developed a proposal for a "Learning Content Developer" agent designed to automate content aggregation and compliance checking. It was a masterclass in collaborative innovation, providing us all with vital hands-on experience with the platform.
That spirit of connection carried into October at TechXchange in Orlando. I spent the days leading up to the conference facilitating enablement sessions for our sales teams and business partners. In an era of remote work, the opportunity to reconnect in person was invaluable. I met my new teammates face-to-face for the first time, forging relationships I hoped would anchor our future projects.
The AI Paradox
The news that followed in November was as sudden as it was jarring. Despite a successful year and several critical projects in mid-flight, a massive restructuring affected 200 people across my department. On November 4, my team and I were informed that our positions were being eliminated.
There is a certain irony in being a leader of digital transformation only to be affected by the very shifts that AI is driving across the tech landscape. We were assured the decision was not a reflection of performance, yet that provides little solace when decades of institutional knowledge are severed in an instant. My final day was December 4. Stepping away from the "hive mind" after 20 years felt less like leaving a job and more like saying goodbye to family.
Navigating the "Mordor" of the Modern Job Market
To borrow a phrase from Boromir: "One does not simply walk into Mordor." The current job market is formidable, demanding a level of strategic persistence that goes far beyond the traditional resume submission. I have spent the last month treating the job search with the same rigor I applied to my global strategies—leveraging networks, researching target roles, and customizing every point of contact.
While the holiday season passed in a blur of applications and follow-ups, I am beginning to see the first signs of traction. Phone interviews are turning into meaningful conversations, and through it all, I am making space for self-care and family. The journey ahead may be long, but the "flicker of light" at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter. I am ready for the next challenge.
