Bridget van Kralingen

 
Educational Background
 

Bridget van Kralingen has built an impressive career through her extensive education and various achievements in the business world. Her educational journey began at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from 1982 to 1984. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Johannesburg in 1985. Continuing her education, Bridget received a Master of Commerce in Psychology from the University of South Africa between 1987 and 1990.

 
Professional Career
 

Bridget's professional path started at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, where she worked as a Senior Researcher from 1986 to 1989. She then joined Deloitte Consulting and held significant roles, including Managing Partner of Strategy and Organization Development in South Africa from 1989 to 1997, and National Managing Partner for Financial Services in New York City from 1997 to 2004.

In 2004, she moved to IBM, taking on a range of leadership roles during her tenure there. Notable positions at IBM included Global Managing Partner for Financial Services, General Manager for IBM Global Business Services in Northeast Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and eventually Senior Vice President overseeing various global sectors and transformative technologies. From 2010 to 2021, her roles included managing IBM's North American operations and leading global projects focused on blockchain, industry platforms, hybrid cloud, and AI.

 
Motive Partners
 

In November 2022, Bridget transitioned to Motive Partners, a specialized private equity firm in the financial technology sector, where she currently serves as a partner and member of the management committee. Her experience in driving growth and innovation in large corporations is a significant asset to the firm.

 
Board Positions
 

Besides her professional commitments, Bridget holds several board positions:

• She is a board member of Discovery Limited, IEX, Travelers, and the Royal Bank of Canada.
• Her influence extends beyond her work as she also advocates for diversity and inclusion, having served as an executive sponsor of IBM's LGBT+ community globally.

 
Awards and Recognition
 

Bridget's contributions to the business world have not gone unnoticed. She has been listed in Fortune Magazine's ‘50 Most Powerful Women in Business’ since 2011. Her leadership and advocacy have set a strong example in the business community.

 
Personal Life
 

Outside of her professional life, Bridget is passionate about running and has participated in marathons in New York City and Boston. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children, embracing both her professional role and personal interests with equal fervor.