IBM Managing Director Michele Stern Tells WOTC: 'Generation Y Women Are Ready To Lead'

Michele Stern, Managing Director at IBM, gave a keynote address during the Women Of The Channel Conference in Napa Valley, California last week. She highlighted the importance of Generation Y women in technology, and how they will benefit the industry with their skills.

"One thing that I’m really convinced of is that Generation Y women are ready to lead,’ said Stern. "They’re collaborative; they’re willing to work really really hard.’ Women born in the 1980's and early 1990's have grown up in the age of technology, and have always had at least some understanding of how to use high-level devices. "They are outstanding multi-taskers," said Stern.

What do they say? With great multi-tasking comes great responsibility?

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According to Michele Stern, the responsibility falls on Generation Y women to succeed and propel technology forward with the future of innovation, but it is up to the current female workforce to engage with and prepare young women for the tasks ahead.

’This next generation of leaders are ready, and it's really our turn and our responsibility to take them seriously and to give them the opportunity,’ said Stern. It is safe to say that the baton is being passed between generations, and according to Stern, women in technology should "take Generation Y seriously" in this transition.

"They have an innovative approach to solving customers problems, they understand the way that clients want to transact business with us, and they come up with very creative approaches and solutions in order to make that happen.’

After all, growing up alongside some of our now favorite and prominent forms of tech to date (i.e., - the laptop computer and smartphone) does lend itself to a certain depth of understanding that even current technology powerhouse executives simply can't compete with.

The most memorable moment from her address, though, came when she quoted her Irish mother in saying, "hard work will put you where good luck will find you," alluding to the fact that these 20-and-30-something women are now primed to take the reins of the booming megacorp that is technology.

Isn't that the truth?