Sonya Walker
ChairExecutive Leader, Business & technology Adviser, Board Director - strategy, governance, AI, quantum, cloud computing & digital economy. I am passionate about building high growth business’, financial & IT transformation
IBM
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Executive Leader, Business & technology Adviser, Board Director - strategy, governance, AI, quantum, cloud computing & digital economy. I am passionate about building high growth business’, financial & IT transformation
An Executive Business Leader with strengths in the building of strong teams and the delivery of results. An excellent track record in the delivery of major organisation change initiatives with integrated commercial, business and digital transformation. A passion for building business' and delivering outstanding sales, revenue and project delivery wins for my clients. I enjoy propelling start up or mature and stagnant business into high growth and profitability through the development of sound strategy and highly targeted execution with excellence in operational management. As a Corporate Entrepreneur, I drive success by leveraging reputable business models to manage risk and performance to secure outcomes. As an authentic and values based Leader, I am collaborative and care about the people I lead, believe in them, uplift them and ‘walk the talk’ in supporting them in the success of their own careers and lives. With a background in information technology, banking, finance, insurance, commercial and public sectors I am also engaged in numerous Boards & community projects and have contributed as an MC, Panel Guest and Advisor for the Australian IT Industry Association (AIIA), ICT, Digital agenda, cloud, SaaS, sustainability & innovation initiatives. Specialties: Board adviser - cut through IT complexity to deliver real business outcomes Business commercialization & go-to-market strategy Business leadership with sales, ops, services and delivery P&L Business & IT advisory services for government, boards & C-suite leaders Cloud sector - extensive expertise over 20 years with Transformational growth Commercial & public sectors - with a Trusted Advisor business style Expert Facilitator, complex negotiations & lobbying Excellent strategic planning, business plan development & execution International trade & investment, trade missions Global direct sales, partner
University of South Australia
Graduate Certificate, Education Studies (Digital Learning)
January 1, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Columbia Business School
Postgraduate Certificate, Strategy
January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2019
University of California, Berkeley
Graduate Executive Program, Leading Innovative Change
January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2020
University of Pennsylvania
Equine Behaviour Course, School of Veterinary Medicine
February 1, 2004 – Present
Western Sydney University
Masters of Applied Science
January 1, 2002 – January 1, 2003
Deakin University
Graduate Certificate - Strategic Workforce Planning
January 1, 1998 – January 1, 1998
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Science (Honours), Honours degree by thesis
January 1, 1995 – January 1, 1996
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Bachelor of Applied Science, Double Science and Mathematics Majors
January 1, 1990 – January 1, 1993
Mt St Michael's College
Private Girls College - Years 8-12
N/A – Present
PennyStack
Chair
January 1, 2025 – Present
IBM
Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand Quantum Technology Leader
January 1, 2024 – Present
Business Excellence Australia
Non Executive Director
November 1, 2023 – December 1, 2024
Australia
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
Non Executive Director
March 1, 2023 – Present
Australia
Benchmark Professionals
Chief Artifical Intelligence Officer (AI) & CEO
June 1, 2020 – Present
GLG
Expert Adviser - Private equity, investment and government
January 1, 2020 – December 1, 2023
New York, United States
IBM
Executive Partner - Cloud Strategic Growth Leader, Global Business Services
October 1, 2019 – April 1, 2022
IBM
Executive Partner - Cloud Advisory, Application & Migration Services (CAMS), IBM Global Services
May 1, 2019 – September 1, 2019
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
Leadership Advisory Board
March 1, 2017 – March 1, 2025
Infor
Vice President - Pacific Region and Managing Director - Australia and New Zealand
November 1, 2016 – April 1, 2019
Asia Pacific Region, Australia and New Zealand
Gartner
Global Adviser - Business & Digital Transformation
October 1, 2016 – September 1, 2024
SAP
Asia Pacific Japan Vice President and Head of Cloud Sales
August 1, 2015 – September 1, 2016
Singapore
Department of Treasury and Finance, Victoria
State Government of Victoria - Industry Advisory Committee
October 1, 2012 – March 1, 2014
Greater Melbourne Area
Oracle
Sales Director and Government Adviser
August 1, 2011 – July 1, 2015
Greater Melbourne Area
Swinburne University of Technology
Industry Advisory Board - The Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship
January 1, 2010 – January 1, 2016
Greater Melbourne Area
SAS
Head of Public & Health Sectors
January 1, 2008 – June 1, 2011
Greater Melbourne Area
AIIA
Board Member and Industry Adviser
January 1, 2007 – January 1, 2019
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth & Sydney, Australia
Dell EMC
Regional Sales Director - Australia and the Pacific Region
January 1, 2007 – December 1, 2007
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
RSA Security
Southern Region Manager - Australia and New Zealand
January 1, 2007 – December 1, 2007
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
HEAT Software
Southern Region Manager - Australia and New Zealand
January 1, 2005 – December 1, 2006
Greater Melbourne Area
Macquarie Telecom Group
Strategic Business Development Manager - Intellicentre/Data Centre/Managed Services/Cloud Solutions
January 1, 2003 – December 1, 2004
Greater Sydney Area
Progress
National Business Development Manager - Australia & New Zealand
January 1, 2000 – December 1, 2002
Greater Melbourne Area
Benchmark Professionals
Chief Executive Officer
January 1, 1994 – August 1, 2011
Washington DC-Baltimore Area
Cultural Fit Analysis
The candidate's diverse experience across global corporations, advisory firms, and non-profit boards, coupled with their involvement in emerging technologies like AI and Quantum Computing, suggests a strong adaptability and forward-thinking mindset. Their engagement in various industry advisory committees and educational pursuits indicates a commitment to continuous learning and contribution, aligning well with a culture that values innovation and strategic leadership. The target role of 'Chair' aligns with their current and past board-level positions.
Soft Skills & Operational Fit
The candidate's extensive experience in executive and advisory roles demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management. Their history of driving business growth and transformation indicates a results-oriented approach. The numerous board positions suggest strong governance and collaborative skills. However, without specific psychometric test results, a detailed assessment of work attitude, stress handling, and team collaboration is not possible.