Valinda Kennedy IBM SkillsBuild Midwest AI Pgm Mgr

Valinda Scarbro Kennedy is the IBM SkillsBuild AI Midwest Program Manager. Valinda and her team work with US higher education leaders providing access to industry resources to bridge the gap between academic programs and high demand career skills with a focus on artificial intelligence, data science, and cyber security.

Faculty and students have access to industry assets using IBM’s academic program for no-charge access to resources. The goal is to build critical skills with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, internet-of-things, data science, design thinking, cyber security, blockchain and other hot technology areas through engagement with academic, government and industry leaders to augment education to include the accelerated use of advanced technology into most disciplines.

Now into her 38th year at IBM, Valinda has held a variety of engineering, sales, services and executive management positions. These assignments include:

• IBMSkillsBuild Midwest AI Program Manager

• Global universities academic initiative high touch program manager

• Management of sales specialist, technical architects and business development executives

• Financial services client unit director

• Ecosystem development manager

• Market segmentation and development leader

• Technical sales and support specialist and manager

• Services business development executive

• Disaster recovery specialist

• Systems engineer