Kathryn W. Guarini is IBM Vice President, Offering Management for z Systems and LinuxONE. Her team drives mainframe platform growth opportunities, including Cloud, Analytics, Mobile, Security, Linux, and Industry Solutions. In 2015 her team also launched LinuxONE, a trusted, efficient, and powerful platform for enterprise-grade Linux. Kathryn has held various technical, management, and executive positions in research, development, and business. She has led large global teams to deliver complex solutions that meet the ever-changing needs of IT customers. From requirements gathering through innovative design implementation to customer support, Kathryn has played important product development leadership roles including enterprise microprocessor design and systems technology development. She is also experienced in technical strategy, leadership development, and communicating for impact. Kathryn’s innovative technical research in semiconductor device integration and nanotechnology has been recognized with various industry awards. She holds more than 63 U.S. patents and she is a prolific writer with over 60 technical publications. Kathryn received a Ph.D. from Stanford University and a B.S. degree from Yale University, both in applied physics. Kathryn is active in mentoring, inspiring, and recruiting scientists and engineers of all ages, especially women.

Shelly Swanback is the group operating officer for Accenture Digital. Shelly led the formation and launch of Accenture Digital and is currently responsible for global operations, and executing and accelerating growth strategies. Since launching in January 2014, Accenture Digital has grown at a strong double-digit rate and now has more than 35,00 people and over US$7B in revenues — more than 20 percent of Accenture’s total revenue. Shelly, a mother of two, has been with Accenture for nearly 25 years. During that time, she has worked with many Fortune 500 companies and C-level leaders across industries, developing and executing business transformation programs and solving complicated management and technology problems. Shelly is currently focused on helping clients harness digital technologies to fundamentally change their business and operating models, and redesign their customer experiences. Highly regarded throughout Accenture as an exceptional leader, Shelly was also recognised externally in 2014’s ‘Working Mothers’ Top 25 Women of the Year’ list. Shelly previously served as a board member of the Women’s Vision Foundation, on the Global Leadership Council for Colorado State University’s College of Business, and enjoys regularly acting as a mentor to others and as an advocate for women in STEM. Shelly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and computer information systems from Colorado State University.