Business to Business Exchange, Luncheon Honoree - Wanda McKenzie Marketing Executive, Market Development IBM Corporation

Wanda McKenzie is Market Support Manager for the Market Development organization based in Armonk, New York. In this capacity, she provides critical aspects of support to the organization responsible for developing IBM’s strategy for and marketing to businesses owned or operated by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Women in the Americas. She also supports women owned and women led businesses in selected global markets. Her current responsibilities include ensuring the team excels in business controls and meeting financial objectives. She works closely with corporate advertising ensuring positive portrayals of our constituents in IBM advertising and collateral and representation of our marketplace in national, regional and constituent owned media. She identifies opportunities for market development participation and communications of our message and strategy to gain mindshare in our marketplace.

She is a seasoned Manager with extensive practical and management experience in the information technology industry. Ms. McKenzie's previous IBM positions, with U.S. responsibility, include assignments in the Field Engineering Division. She has also had staff and line management responsibility for Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. She was Branch Manager with responsibility for customer satisfaction, achievement of expense to revenue objectives, technical performance and the morale of over 200 employees. She was Regional Manager in the west geography with responsibility of twelve branch offices and all key business measurements. Wanda has held several Regional and Headquarters assignments with staff, operations and line management responsibility. She successfully led the design, development and execution of the Field Engineering Divisions' cultural and operational transition and readiness plan to support the first hand held Digital Communication System (DCS) for all managers and employees providing service to IBM customers. In recognition of her leadership and achievements, she has received numerous awards.

Wanda is a graduate of Chicago State University in Chicago Illinois and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. She also attended the Colgate University Executive Development Program. She has held leadership positions and is a life member of The National Black MBA Association and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Womens Clubs, Inc. She has been applauded and recognized for her mentoring activities with youth through her active support and involvement with Junior Achievement and NANBPW Youth Groups. She has served for many years as a visiting professor in the National Urban League Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP). She is a member of the Automotive Women's Association (AWA), Women in Technology International (WITI), the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners and NAFE (National Association of Female Executives) and a member of the Advisory Board of the Westchester County African American Chamber of Commerce.

A native of Chicago, Illinois Wanda has one daughter, Dionne and currently resides in the Atlanta area.