Dana and Elizabeth are joined in the studio by Ann Cramer of IBM.
Ann Wilson Cramer, is with IBM Corporation as its Director for IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for the Americas. Ann talks about IBM’s historic involvement with and investment in local communities.
IBM is committed to K-12 education, job training and employment, community and family services, literacy programs and support for the disabled and disadvantaged through its people and technology. IBM’s primary emphasis is focused on education reform, especially related to the powerful use of solutions including services, software and technology as tools for learning.
In support of IBM’s primary focus areas, Ann currently serves as chair of the Atlanta Partners for Education and the Council on Foundations Public Policy Committee and is on the Council’s board and immediate past chair of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE), the Carter Center Board of Councilors, Communities in Schools-Georgia, and the Georgia Chamber’s Education Committee, Voices for Georgia’s Children. Ann is on the Executive Committee for the US Chamber’s Institute for Competitive Workforce and BCLC, the Conference Board’s Business and Education Council, Metro Atlanta Chamber Education Committee and Project GRAD Board. She serves on several non-profit organization boards including the Woodruff Arts Center, the Alliance Theatre Company, Georgia Shakespeare Festival, the Georgia Center for NonProfits, Public Broadcasting Atlanta (PBA), the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Georgia Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, UGA Board of Visitors, the Hands-on-Atlanta Advisory Board and the Atlanta Cities of Service board. And currently chairs the Advisory Councils for the Alliance Theatre and Imagine-It the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
In support of children, youth and education, Ann most recently chaired the Workforce Development Task Force for the Governor’s Commission for a New Georgia. Ann has chaired the Governor’s Child Protective Services Task Force, served as Chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Children and Youth and co-chaired the Governor’s Welfare Reform Task Force, the Governor’s Policy Council for Children and Families and the Grady Foundation, the Governor’s Action Council for Safe Kids and led a team developing Voices for Georgia’s Children.
In 2009, Ann was the first to receive the “Essence of Atlanta” Award at the 41st Anniversary of Outstanding Atlanta. She was recently honored with the Georgia Center for Non-Profits 2011 Revolution Legendary Philanthropist Award and named by Atlanta Woman Magazine as the Power Woman of the Year,”25 Atlantans to Watch,” inducted into the Business Hall of Fame and awarded Georgia’s 1st Visionary Leadership Award, Leadership Atlanta’s Legacy of Leadership Award, the Lexus Leader of the Arts, the Shining Star recognition from the Atlanta Women’s Foundation, the first Narrowing the Digital Divide Award, the Andrew Young Public Policy and Faith award, Leading Ladies and Women Making the Mark distinctions, the Georgia Council for Economic Education’s prestigious VanLandingham Award, the Urban League’s 2000 Distinguished Community Service Award, the LifeTime Achievement in the Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Child Advocacy and she has received the 1988 11-Alive Community Service Award, the 1983 Georgia Volunteer of the Year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Public Service Award; 1991 Alumnae Leadership Award for Salem College, and the 1990 DECA Award, one of ten outstanding business women in Atlanta.
