Written by Heather Cole, July 29th 2021
About Heather L Cole
If you are not familiar with Heather Cole, she transforms CEO’s and their organizations to experience hype-growth. Her 30+ years of experience owning and growing a software reseller and implementation firm along with her life-long dedication to personal development has made her a leading high performance and technology success coach. What’s more, Heather is not just an advisor and CEO coach, she is also a business owner, thought leader, author and speaker. Her teachings and skills have touched the lives of thousands of people around the world via her insights in business strategy, analytics and the future of businesses during the data revolution.
As the founder of Lodestar Solutions, an IBM partner, and Heatherized, Inc. she still manages to find time to serve others as an Executive Advisor combining her diverse knowledge in Finance, IT, Law, Psychology, Sales and Marketing. Heather is also a Certified High-Performance Coach, Licensed Attorney, Scrum Master and has over 25 years of experience in IT, Business Intelligence and Analytics.
She is a two-time best-selling author, a five-time winner of the IBM Champion Award and sits on the national board of Financial Executives International (FEI). In her free time, Heather and her husband Gary Lafferty volunteer at Ready for Life, a charity that helps youth that age out of foster care in St. Petersburg, FL.
IBM Champion Lifetime Achievement Award
The IBM Champion Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes IBM Champions who stand above their peers for service to the community. Over multiple years, these IBM Champions consistently excel and positively impact the community. They lead by example, are passionate about sharing knowledge, and provide constructive feedback to IBM.
The IBM Lifetime Champion Award has only been given to 32 people throughout the world covering all aspects of IBM offerings. The Lifetime Champion Award is a unique award within the IBM Champion Program. IBM Champions are thought as leaders that are active in their communities to help promote technologies. They are not IBM employees but rather clients or partners that are actively blogging, speaking, organizing events, writing books, and so much more. Other 2021 IBM Lifetime Champions include Jean-Georges Perrin, Dave Beulke, Simon Thompson, Darren Surch and Greg Hodgkinson.
When asked about her recent Lifetime IBM Champion award, Heather said, “I am humbled to be a part of an amazing group of thought leaders and technologists. I would be lying if I did not admit that my imposter syndrome rages when I meet with other IBM Champions, because these people play at another level. I guess this award is the universe’s way of reminding me to Level Up and play bigger and bolder!”
What is an IBM Champion?
Want to learn what makes a great IBM Champion? Hear from Heather Cole and other IBM Champions on this IBM video.
If you consider yourself a thought leader in the IBM world, consider becoming an IBM Champion. You can register here.
If you are interested in having Heather Cole speak at an upcoming event, conference, or webinar, connect with Heather on LinkedIn.
Congratulations to Heather and all the IBM Lifetime Champions.