Rhonda Childress

Rhonda Childress is an IBM Fellow Vice President of GTS (Global Technology Services). She has earned the title of being the first Services woman to be called an IBM Master Inventor, Security Fellow, and the first Fellow from a predominantly African-American college from spending her whole career in SO (Strategic Outsourcing). She was also the first IBM fellow from a Historical Black University. Childress is a prolific inventor with over 200 patents, 130 of which are related to the management of systems, cyber security, mobile, aircraft, and IoT (Internet of Things).

Early life One of six children, Childress grew up in Kentucky. Her family's source of income was low due to her father's heart condition and Childress said that her parents "made it very clear if I wanted to go to college, I'd have to find a way to pay for it."

Career Childress worked with IBM for two summers while going to the Kentucky State University for computer science before she received a job at General Motors in Michigan. While working with IBM Childress designed new firewall data and invented new security that compares the password's strength to the amount of time the password has been used, along with other new ideas she created during this time. In 2020, Childress was awarded Women of the Year the virtual Women in IT awards.

Childress and her colleagues were granted a patent on their idea to track and organize travel supplies. Childress enjoys working with her hands using tools. In recent years, the electric table saw was her newest invention.

Conferences attended She attended 2018 Medical Innovation Summit Medical Innovation Summit brings together thought leaders and their passion about healthcare. Columbus, Ohio, United States Event Type Conference Industry Health Care, Medical

Awards Childress was awarded the title of Co-Inventor of the Year in 2014 by the State Bar of Texas IP Law. Two years later in 2016, she was honored by The Society of Women Engineers and selected for the Spark Award for her individual contributions of mentoring women through her volunteer work.