Jani started her IBM career in 1988 as a Human Factors engineer in the Networking Hardware Division in Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC. She has held a multitude of hardware and software leadership and management roles including market research, marketing communications, brand management, channel management, and product marketing. In addition, she was responsible for designing and launching the highly successful Small Business Program, IBM’s first global sales and marketing initiative targeted at small business.

Jani held a variety of executive roles including IBM’s B2B e-business initiative and xSeries channel, operations and marketing communications. She also led strategy, business development, sales enablement and marketing activities for IBM’s accessibility efforts.

Most recently, Jani the Director of Strategic Ventures, and an active partner in IBM’s Venture Capital Group, focused on IBM’s hardware and associated software. In this role, Jani is responsible for facilitating strategic relationships with the Venture Community to leverage their insights and guidance, and to build out VC-backed ecosystems for our Systems and Technology Group.

Jani holds a Ph.D. and M.S in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Maryland. She lives with her family in Driftwood, Texas.

Technology, interesting, SXSW,