CMG Be Curious Presents “Championing Community Advocacy for IBM Z: An Interview With Shari Chiara”
This interview-focused event spotlights Shari Chiara, Program Manager for IBM Champions and Community, IBM Z. Dive into her journey, insights on building thriving communities, nurturing IBM Champions, and her vision for the future.
FEBRUARY 18 @ 10AM ET
Transcript Summary:
CMG Be Curious Series: Championing Community Advocacy for IBM Z
Speakers:
- Amanda Hendley (Moderator, CMG)
- Rich Byrnes (Moderator, GTSG)
- Shari Chiari (IBM, Program Manager for IBM Champions and Community Advocacy for IBM Z)
Opening Remarks
Amanda Hendley:
Welcome to the CMG Be Curious Series, presented by Dell Technologies. Today, we are discussing championing community advocacy for IBM Z. Our guest is Shari Chiari, Program Manager for IBM Champions and Community Advocacy at IBM. Moderating today’s discussion is Rich Byrnes from GTSG, an IT consulting firm specializing in data center and cloud solutions.
Introduction
Rich Byrnes:
Thank you, Amanda. Shari, thank you for joining us today. To start, can you tell us a bit about your role at IBM?
Shari Chiari:
Thank you for having me! I’m the Program Manager for IBM Champions and Community Advocacy for IBM Z. My focus is on fostering engagement and recognition within the IBM Z ecosystem, amplifying contributions from industry experts and thought leaders, and driving community collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Building Community Advocacy
Rich Byrnes:
Let’s talk about the impact you’ve had on building community engagement. Can you share a real-life example?
Shari Chiari:
Absolutely! One of the things I was tasked with was growing community engagement and creating a space for new IBM Z professionals. We launched a digital user group called “New to IBM Z” under the IBM Tech Exchange community. During a call, a participant from Vancouver, Nicholas Leung, expressed interest in starting a local chapter. We connected him with IBM Champion Reg Harbach, and they began building their local “New to Z” community.
From there, someone from Washington attended an event in Vancouver and blogged about the experience, which was seen by someone in Australia. That led to the creation of an entire regional framework in Australia and New Zealand, which now operates nine local chapters. The initiative has expanded to 26 chapters globally, helping early-career professionals connect and grow their skills.
The IBM Champions Program
Rich Byrnes:
Tell us more about the IBM Champions Program. What’s its vision and how does it work?
Shari Chiari:
IBM Champions are the MVPs of advocacy. They go beyond their jobs to advocate for IBM technologies by sharing knowledge, leading discussions, and mentoring others. The program spans various IBM technologies, not just IBM Z. Champions are recognized for their contributions and receive access to exclusive events, briefings, and networking opportunities.
Understanding Advocacy
Rich Byrnes:
Can you define what advocacy is—and isn’t?
Shari Chiari:
Advocacy is about contributing beyond your day job. It’s not about sales or job-related duties; rather, it includes mentoring, writing blogs, leading discussions, and volunteering in community groups. A great example is Kiara Balden, who created “Mainframer Barbie” to engage younger audiences in mainframe technology. Advocacy is about passion and community building.
Champion Selection Process
Rich Byrnes:
The program receives hundreds of applications. How do you select IBM Champions?
Shari Chiari:
For IBM Z, we have over 200 Champions, a 50% growth from last year. We receive over 600 applications for IBM Z alone, with thousands across IBM. Selection is based on a scoring mechanism that ensures fairness. We consider advocacy activities, tenure, and engagement, ensuring a balance between experienced professionals and newcomers. Champions must reapply annually to maintain their status.
The IBM Z Advocacy Hub
Rich Byrnes:
Let’s talk about the IBM Z Advocacy Hub. Can you walk us through it?
Shari Chiari:
Certainly! The IBM Z Advocacy Hub is designed to help people engage with advocacy opportunities. It provides pathways based on interests—public speaking, mentoring, blogging, or technical contributions. Users can earn advocacy badges, connect with mentors, and find opportunities to engage with the community. The top advocacy badge requires nine acts of advocacy, which is also a criterion for becoming an IBM Champion.
Additionally, we match mentors with new IBM Z professionals and provide resources such as mentoring guides and university workshop templates.
Encouraging Engagement
Rich Byrnes:
How can people get involved and start their advocacy journey?
Shari Chiari:
Start small—write a blog, join a community group, or mentor a student. Our Champions are approachable and eager to help. The Advocacy Hub provides structured pathways to engage, and our “New to Z” local chapters offer additional networking opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Rich Byrnes:
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
Shari Chiari:
“Be someone others want to work with.” That advice came from my grandmother, who was an inspiring businesswoman. It has guided my career and helped me build strong professional relationships.
Closing Remarks
Rich Byrnes:
Shari, thank you for sharing your insights. Your passion for community advocacy is evident. I encourage everyone to visit the IBM Z Advocacy Hub and start their journey.
Amanda Hendley:
Thank you, Shari and Rich, for this engaging discussion. We hope to see you at a future CMG event.
Shari Chiari:
Thank you! Looking forward to connecting with everyone, online or in-person.
End of Session
