Rhonda Childress
Personal Information
Born: Unknown
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Kentucky State University BS Computer Science
""Never let anyone (male or female)makes decisions for you or define who you are." (witi.com) ". . .my biggest lesson: you do not have to do it all." (witi.com) "Once you make it, don't close the door after you." (security intelligence)"
— Rhonda Childress
Professional Life
Field of Study: Data Security & Privacy
Institution/Corporation: IBM
Degrees & Memberships: None found
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 2018 Women in Technology International Hall of Fame; 2014 State Bar of Texas IP Law Co-Inventor; 2016 Spark Award, Society of Women Engineers (SWE); 2020 Woman of the Year At Women in IT Awards
Achievements: holds approximately 264 patents in security, system management, IoT, mobile, aircraft & other topics; is an IBM Fellow & the 1st Services woman IBM Master Inventor
went to college on a full scholarship
worked at IBM 2 summers during college
worked at GM, the McDonnell Douglas after college before returning to IBM where she worked for over 30 years
enjoys working with her hands using tools, perfecting her competition chili recipe, & designing & sewing quilts that are then auctioned off for charities
is 1 of only 25 female IBM Fellows in the history of IBM
didn't touch a computer until she got to college
inhigh school, her father fought for her to be allowed to take shop classes instead of home ec
is currently Chief Innovation Officer at Kyndryl
grew up in rural Kentucky
holds 264 patents