As a successful business leader and accomplished IBM software engineer, Calline Sanchez is using her platform to advocate for the future of girls and women in STEM. As she says, “Don't just have a voice; use it and insist on being heard.” Calline is using that voice to go beyond empowering women. Her goal is to enable them, making sure they have the tools they need to be successful.
As Vice President of IBM Systems Lab Services & Technical Universities, and Tucson Site & New Mexico State Leader, Calline leads a team of worldwide technology consultants to deliver systems and solutions to end users. However, she wasn’t always confident in her technical skills. It wasn’t until two college friends encouraged her to pursue STEM because of her strength in calculus that she realized her potential.
Taking inspiration from this formative experience, Calline is committed to be a voice for women and minorities. Studies have shown that organizations fostering diversity and inclusion reap the benefits, but, sadly, only 12% of organizations proactively prioritize gender equality in leadership.
“We don’t know where the next best idea in tech could come from. It could come from you or me or from Tucson or anywhere? It means anyone can contribute, truly inclusive. This is the root of why I adore working in technology.”
While it is important that organizations commit to enabling the success of women, there are actions that we can each take. Calline encourages us to “network with other women to discover common ground as well as differences and how those inform the push for gender equality.” Though she reminds us, “women can’t, and shouldn’t, be responsible to solve all the issues surrounding gender inequality alone.” Instead, male advocates should also be vocal. Campaigns like HeForShe are a great start.
Calline has had three Vice President appointments since joining IBM in 2001. In these appointments she has led the delivery of next generation service solutions, engineering to build next generation systems, and delivered innovation worldwide. These appointments were due to her passion and dedication to deliver the best of breed technology services, products, and solutions to the marketplace.
She began her career as a Software Engineer in 1999 at IBM on an internship after interning with Sandia National Labs for several years. She has a B.S.B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona, a B.A. in Communications from the University of Arizona, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from the same university.
Throughout her career, Calline has led by example. As a woman leader, she urges us to “be yourself and take a leadership position. Please don’t self-doubt or suffer from imposter syndrome. You ROCK…and deep down you know it!”
You’re right, Calline. Girls rock! Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us!We aim to take your lead and inspire the next generation of women in STEM fields.