Dawn Herndon

Dawn Herndon is a business leader with a remarkable career marked by her passion for technology and its transformative impact on society. Currently serving as the Vice President at IBM, Dawn specializes in embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and WatsonX, while also spearheading initiatives to build strategic partnerships. Her career trajectory reflects a wealth of experience, ranging from executive management to global sales leadership, and she has consistently demonstrated her adeptness in navigating complex sales, dealmaking, and negotiation processes.

As a VP at IBM, Dawn oversees the ISV and Build Partner Ecosystem in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, as well as global sales and strategic partnerships. Her dynamic leadership played a pivotal role in steering IBM through significant milestones, such as managing the largest software asset divestiture in the company's history. Dawn is recognized for her ability to drive revenue growth, exceed profit targets, and establish valuable relationships with clients and partners. With a strong foundation in executive leadership, conflict resolution, and corporate development, Dawn Herndon continues to be at the forefront of IBM's innovative endeavours, contributing to the company's success in the evolving landscape of technology and AI.

Dawn Herndon is a seasoned business leader with a profound passion for technology and its far-reaching impact on society, companies, cultures, and the global landscape. Currently serving as the Vice President at IBM, Dawn is at the forefront of embedding AI and WatsonX, while also spearheading the development of strategic partnerships that drive innovation and value for organizations.

With a career spanning over 24 years at IBM, Dawn has held various key roles, showcasing her expertise in complex sales, dealmaking, executive leadership, negotiation, contract negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic partnerships. Her contributions have been instrumental in the success of IBM's global operations, especially in areas like software sales, divestiture management, and global strategic partnerships.

In her role as Managing Director of Global Strategic Partnerships from August 2020 to June 2022, Dawn led the business development efforts for IBM's top Global System Integrators (GSI's). Her responsibilities included managing strategic partnership relationships, business development, and the execution of revenue-growth initiatives.

Dawn's tenure as Director of Software Sales and Divestiture Managing Executive from January 2019 to July 2020 marked a significant milestone. She played a pivotal role in negotiating the largest software asset divestiture in IBM's history, a $1.8 billion initiative. Her leadership ensured the smooth transition and renegotiation of over 20,000 client contracts to the new owner, demonstrating her prowess in conflict resolution and client success.

Throughout her career, Dawn has consistently delivered impressive results, achieving year-over-year revenue growth and exceeding profit targets. Her strategic mindset and ability to lead large teams have been critical in driving IBM's success in the highly competitive technology landscape.

Dawn's educational background includes executive education at Harvard Business School, complemented by studies at Syracuse University - Maxwell School and Cayuga Community College. Beyond her professional achievements, Dawn is actively engaged in volunteer work, contributing her time and expertise to causes such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Feeding Tampa Bay.

Known for her passion for technology and its impact on society, Dawn Herndon's professional journey reflects a commitment to driving positive change through innovation. As a Global Managing Director at IBM, she continues to leverage her skills in complex sales, strategic partnerships, and executive leadership to lead the company toward new heights of success in the dynamic and competitive global technology landscape. Dawn's visionary approach, coupled with her extensive experience, positions her as a key influencer in the ongoing evolution of technology and its transformative effects on businesses worldwide.