Women Who Inspire Us
Internet

Jane Harper

Jane Harper is director of Internet technology and operations at IBM. Her team works across IBM on an initiative called WebAhead, creating Internet technology solutions (like BluePages, NewsRoom, JukeBox, VP Buddy) for use across the company. Some of these prototype solutions go on to become product or service offerings for IBM's customers, and some are used internally to help IBM's e-business.

Harper is the gearbox for all aspects of operations including strategy, finance, recruiting, and communications. In her 19-year career with IBM, Harper has had a broad background of staff and management experience in I/T, marketing, finance and corporate strategy. She was part of John Patrick's original "Get Connected" team, which catalyzed IBM's Internet efforts and led to the formation of the Internet division.

Harper has been personally involved with hiring almost every member of the Internet technology team, and she has helped create a unique culture for IBM's employees and management team. Last year, Harper helped launch "Extreme Blue," a unique summer internship program with the goal of recruiting the very best technical talent into IBM. In addition, Harper is an ACT consultant and is working with worldwide, cross-functional teams to accelerate change, focus on execution and create high performance teams. As part of IBM's diversity initiatives, Harper is also a member of the gay/lesbian executive taskforce for IBM.

Harper has a M.B.A. in marketing from Pace University. Outside of work, Harper is a literacy volunteer, and she enjoys hiking, skiing and boating.