Long Time IBM Executive Named New CEO of The International Women's Forum

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Women's Forum (IWF) has announced the appointment of former IBM executive Marilyn Johnson as its new Chief Executive Officer and ex-officio Member of the Board of Directors. The selection of Ms. Johnson, a leading business development  strategist, signals an elevated  focus on program growth and expansion for the global leadership organization.

Johnson stated, "With its unparalleled membership of the world's preeminent female leaders, the International Women's Forum has the capacity to shatter the ceilings and walls women have traditionally faced. Our members are constantly redefining what is possible. As an organization, IWF is positioned to do the same and we're committed to advancing women's leadership in an ever-changing world. As the new CEO, I'm proud to be leading one of the world's premier leadership organizations – where the possibilities are endless."

In her previous capacity, Ms. Johnson led an organization responsible for developing IBM's strategy for, and marketing to, businesses owned or operated by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Women in the Americas. In 2005, she expanded her mission to include women- owned and women-led businesses in selected markets around the globe, expanding IBM market share significantly. She has held executive positions in key IBM  business units and has had management and operational  responsibility in North  America, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

IWF Global Board President Sein Chew said, "Marilyn is a respected, visionary leader who sees the possibilities that lie ahead for a world in search of better leadership across a diverse and demanding market place. She understands that it is through IWF's globally committed membership of top female leaders working in tandem with our partners and collaborators that, together, we can help resolve one of the greatest challenges of our time – the advancement of better leadership in the world today."

A graduate of John Marshall University with an advanced degree in Education, Johnson is an alumna of the Harvard Business School Strategic Leadership Forum. She has held positions on the Executive Board of the Council for U.S. Better Business Bureaus and the Executive Boards of the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Foundation, the National Council of Negro Women, and American Airlines Marketing Advisory Council.

"IWF will continue to enhance the value of our partnerships for our members, our partner companies, government entities and beyond. We plan to inspire more engagement and involvement among our global stakeholders to meet our shared mission of advancing better leadership for an improved future for women and the global community", said Ms. Johnson

If you are a member of the press and are interested in learning more about the training programs and the women of the International Women's Forum please contact Crosby Cromwell, [email protected], 202-387-1010.

About International Women's Forum:
For more than 30 years, the International Women's Forum (IWF) has been dedicated to advancing leadership across careers, cultures and continents by connecting the world's most preeminent women of significant and diverse achievement. The IWF brings together an unprecedented global membership to exchange ideas, to learn and inspire, and to promote better leadership for a changing world. Founded in the US, the IWF has grown across six continents into 33 nations. There are more than 6,000 women leaders now participating in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America as members of IWF. IWF leads training programs for rising women leaders through the Executive Development Roundtable, the Leadership Foundation Fellows program, the EY Women Athlete's Business Network and the On the Board program.

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SOURCE The International Women's Forum