Ms. Star Cunningham is a Managing Consultant in IBM Global Business Services, Global Telecommunications Center of Excellence (GTCoE). Ms. Cunningham's background includes fourteen years of telecommunications industry experience, working in network services and multiple IT organizations. She has been engaged on strategic consulting projects for every major telecommunications service provider in the US and has worked with the largest telecommunications service providers in South Africa, Czech Republic, Brazil and Dubai.
Her strengths include creating and leading cross-functional matrix-reporting teams, analytical problem solving, merger and acquisition situation analysis, leading post-merger strategic implementation activities, deploying effective communications and strategic implementation of customer focused solutions. Ms. Cunningham has a proven track record of leading and delivering diverse, complex projects on time and on or under budget.
Ms. Cunningham has also worked with major utility companies and pioneered a First of a Kind (FoAK) initiative to deliver the blueprint for an Intelligent Utility Network (IUN).
Her career began in 1990 in Cleveland, Ohio with British Petroleum where she developed Health Safety and Environmental Quality (HSEQ) systems for BP Chemicals. She took advantage of an opportunity to work for Ameritech Corporation in Ohio under CEO Richard C. Notebaert’s initiative requiring all telecommunications managers to complete a rotation in every segment of the telecommunications value chain. She was responsible for the largest central office in downtown Cleveland and had a major role in the launch of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Once her rotation was complete, Star accepted a promotion and moved to role of Director in the IT Organization headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
After successfully completing Y2K initiatives for Ameritech, Star joined IBM’s Strategy and Change, Telecommunications practice and in September 2008, she joined the specialized GTCoE and began leading strategic initiatives in telecommunications for IBM on a Global scale.
Star earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She is involved with INROADS, The National Black MBA Association and coaches and mentors numerous students from grade school – graduate school. When she has time, Star is a Lego® enthusiast, enjoys scuba diving, playing chess, scrabble club activities and completing her visits to every continent and the 7 wonders of the world!
Ms. Cunningham has the following education credentials:
· MBA from Northwestern University (Kellogg) in Evanston, Illinois. Majors: Management and Strategy, Marketing and Entrepreneurship and Innovation,
· BS from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. Majors: Computer Science, Business Administration and Economics from
· IBM Training focused in the areas of IT Strategy, Project Management and Strategy Consulting
· Leadership Training from the Center for Creative Leadership in San Diego, California