WITI Proudly Celebrates the Accomplishments of Women in Business and Technology!
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When good things happen, don't hold back - let us know! At WITI, we want to celebrate your accomplishments with you, your promotions, inventions, mergers, launches, publications and awards. This is no time to be modest - this is a time to celebrate your achievements and inspire others to do the same. Please send your announcements using the Women on the Move form.
Joy Tan Joins Nine Rivers Distillery’s Board of Directors
Longyan, China, March 11, 2022 – Nine Rivers Distillery today announced that Joy Tan, former President of Global Media and Communications at Huawei Technologies, has been appointed to its board of directors. Tan brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications for Fortune 100 brands and will be responsible for helping the distillery set and execute its branding strategy.
“It’s rare that you get the opportunity to help lay the groundwork for something big,” said Tan. “And not only is Nine Rivers going to be huge – it’s going to be different.” Nine Rivers Distillery officially broke ground in February 2022. It’s a fully crowdfunded, grassroots project with a 17,000 square-meter site in the mountains of Longyan, scheduled to begin producing spirits in the second quarter of 2023.
“Nine Rivers represents the perfect combination of age-old western traditions with modern advances in technology in the distilling industry.” continued Tan. “We’ve got a group of over 100 whisky lovers from all over the world, each bringing passion for the industry and a unique set of skills to this project. It’s a great honor to be a part of this team.”
Jay Robertson, CEO of Nine Rivers Distillery, said: “Joy’s immense depth of experience in marketing and cross-cultural communications will be critical for putting Nine Rivers – and China – on the international whisky map. She has a brilliant mind for navigating complex business environments and will help us tell our story in a way that truly resonates with whisky lovers around the world in this digital age. We’re lucky to have her.”
Before starting her own consulting firm in 2021, Joy Tan spent 14 years in various senior marketing and communications roles at Huawei Technologies. Prior to serving as the VP of Public Affairs for Huawei USA, she was the President of Global Media and Communications at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, where she led the company’s communications efforts in over 100 countries and regions. She was instrumental in building the company’s internal communications capabilities and elevating Huawei to one of the top 100 brands in the world. Prior to Huawei, she worked with a number of large US companies in marketing and branding functions.
Joy Tan is passionate about the environment and women in tech, and regularly speaks on these topics with groups like the World Economic Forum, Women in Tech International, and the UN Science, Technology and Innovation Forum.
Tan studied Biology at Tsinghua University in Beijing and holds a Master’s Degree in Neuroscience from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she was a PhD candidate before shifting gears to pursue an MBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Marianne Kirkland Joins Tech Data As IT Manager
Marianne Kikland, Tampa Bay WITI Network Director moves from Software Engineering Manager at DocuPhase to Information Technology Manager for Enterprise Delivery at Tech Data.
"It's exciting to join a company that shares my set of values: "integrity, excellence, accountability, collaboration and inclusion." Tech Data is one of Fortune's "World's Most Admired Companies."
Marianne is a highly qualified and results-driven IT Manager with over 20 years of leadership experience. Her drive is to boost revenues and cut company costs through innovative management techniques. She is both organized and diligent, with excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. She has repeatedly built motivated dynamic and efficient teams.
Marianne is a valuable WITI member and Network Director.
Valarie Williams Promoted to Senior IT Business Operations Specialist/Project Manager Coordinator
In 2014, Valarie began working with Magellan Health in the position of Senior Administrative Specialist in the Information Technology division and provided administrative support to approximately 400 IT team members.
In 2016, came a promotion to Executive Assistant to Officer, where she solely supported the Chief Technology Officer, his directs, and on most occasion, the entire IT Division (825+ associates) – keeping the division together with 20+ years of experience!
In 2020, came the promotion to Senior IT Business Operations Specialist/Project Manager Coordinator – still with the IT Division, thus working as the IT liaison between the company's Facilities and Worksite Strategic teams – site management – working to keeping processes and teams working cohesively and smoothly! Such a position has brought forth opportunities of knowledge growth, working with additional senior leaders/associates, as well as expanding her horizons in other areas.
Valarie is one of the leaders of Magellan's Women in Technology group and a recent member of the WITI network.
Elizabeth (Liz) Markiewicz joining the Corporate Communications Team at IBM
Elizabeth (Liz) Markiewicz began her career with IBM in April 2003 as the Assistant to the Vice President, Technical Strategy and Worldwide Operations at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Centre. Prior to her first role she has worked as contractor for IBM since 2000.
Throughout the years Liz took on various roles, Assistant to Vice President, Social Business and Collaboration Solutions Sales and Evangelism, Assistant to General Manager, Insides Sales, International Program Logistics Coordinator, finally landing in the Communications area as the Strategic & Executive Communications Leader, for Enterprise Services.
In her new role she is joining the Corporate Communications Team and will be supporting IBM's COVID-19 Strategy, as they plan to bring 350,000 IBMers back to the office (where available & open) as safely as possible. Key messaging is to build confidence and share the safeguards IBM has in place for our people. The exposure and experience will strengthen Liz's communications skill set, increase her visibility to the Communication practice and expose her to new opportunities. This new role and added responsibilities are in addition to leading internal communications for Enterprise Operations & Services Global Talent & Growth Team. She will continue to lead, develop and execute key organization initiatives, such as leading the Global Women of IBM initiative.
In addition to her new role Liz took home three industry awards this year: 2 Stevies (1 gold / 1 bronze) and Golden Bridges Gold Winner, Public Service Hero of the Year.
Stevie® Award Winners in The 2020 International Business Awards®
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners in the 17th annual IBAs.
https://stevieawards.com/iba/2020-stevie-award-winners
Golden Bridge Awards
Business Awards Recognizing Achievements and Innovations All Over the World
https://goldenbridgeawards.com/winners/2020-business-awards-winners/
In her spare time Liz is a volunteer Firefighter at the North White Plains Fire Department. You can also catch her at the Information Booth at the High Line in NYC's Hudson Yards where she works as a Greeter and volunteers with their family programming where she helps with facilitating hands-on family activities and welcoming families to the event.
Liz is a Lifetime WITI Member.
Questions? Please email the editor.