2023 IBM Fellows

Four experts join IBM’s best and brightest—meet the 2023 class of IBM Fellows

Brian Martin

IBM Fellow, CTO, Cloud Platform Services

“I’ve worked on a diverse range of products and technologies at IBM over time, and that’s something I really appreciate—every day you learn something new and expand your technical vision,” says Brian Martin. “When I started in 1991, IBM was basically an engineering-led organization, but since then we’ve evolved our focus on understanding our client’s requirements with close collaboration among design, offering management, and development.”

Brian is a thought leader in the -aaS business and has led IBM’s effort to achieve consistent platform experience and operational services across discover, buy and IAM. He has worked across IBM’s -aaS offerings—including IBM Cloud IaaS and PaaS, as well as Data and AI services through Data Platform—and is extending his work across Software’s SaaS and Systems’ XaaS transformation initiatives. Brian has also been a trusted advisor to numerous clients in their journey to cloud.

IBM Fellow, Chief Architect, IBM Hybrid Cloud Semiconductor Transistor Technology

“I like working on technically difficult projects, even some that are considered impossible,” says Effendi Leobandung. “Developing advanced semiconductor technology for complex chips is incredibly challenging, and IBM is among only a few companies that can do it. I am fortunate to work with world-class talent within IBM and the industry on this endeavor.”

Effendi is a recognized semiconductor technology expert in IBM and worldwide. He was one of the early researchers to propose and demonstrate the current FINFET-like structure. He also led the FINFET research/development and technology definition for IBM 14nm technology, which was deployed in z14, z15 and POWER9. Effendi is a key technical contributor to and currently leads development of IBM Gate-All-Around Nanosheets technology, part of the roadmap for 3nm technology and beyond. Previously, as lead for Transistor Technology Integration, Effendi drove the successful qualifications of multiple IBM CMOS technology nodes. He has over 300 patents covering key transistor technologies such as SOI, FINFET and nanosheets.

IBM Fellow, CTO for Z Software

“I think we all need to take some risks—informed risks certainly, but to really move the needle, bold moves are necessary,” says Kyle Charlet. “I love the creativity that risk-taking brings to the table.”

Kyle is a widely recognized leader in transforming traditional z/OS environments into modern, cloud-native experiences that can be integrated seamlessly into clients’ hybrid cloud strategies. Through his work bringing APIs, cloud-native development, and Ansible to z/OS, Kyle has applied a series of new market trends to z/OS and overcome technology silos to develop a cohesive strategy. He is actively sought by clients worldwide, from the C-suite to engineers, as a trusted advisor on digital transformations.

IBM Fellow, CTO of Business Transformation Services, IBM Consulting Japan

“I enjoy logical thinking,” says Natsumi Kurashima. “I’m not sure I would be a great developer or programmer, but I knew I could be a good consultant and today I would describe myself as an architect and a systems engineer. We talk with clients to understand their business challenges, understand their limitations, then decide which technologies to apply, and coordinate a solution for our engineers to build. Putting that all together in a system that works is usually challenging and complex, but also creative and satisfying.”

Natsumi is a recognized leader in digital transformation with deep expertise in systems engineering for complex systems integration. She has been IBM Consulting iX CTO for Japan, driving innovative solution design and delivery by combining experience in design, mobile, cloud and AI, while bringing together technical talent from across IBM. She recalls being assigned to apply IBM’s system engineering methodology to a large project, and being skeptical it would work. “Our global leaders insisted, so I said ‘OK, I will try that,’ because I didn’t have any other choice. It was really challenging, but we succeeded and I developed into a systems engineering leader. That experience decided the rest of my career.”