IBM Champions

Influence is not a moment, it’s a pattern.

The IBM Influencer level recognizes advocates whose contributions demonstrate sustained commitment, visible leadership, and meaningful impact. Influencers don’t simply participate; they shape understanding, guide conversations, and strengthen communities over time. This level reflects advocacy that has matured into trusted technical community leadership.

Common Influencer Profiles

There is no single way to become an Influencer. What they share isn’t a preferred format, but a level of responsibility, consistency, and impact. Common Influencer profiles include:

1. The Technical Authority
   Deeply experienced practitioners whose insights carry weight. These Influencers share hard‑earned perspectives through speaking or publishing, contribute feedback that influences product technical direction, and are recognized as trusted voices in their domain.

2. The Community Anchor
   Leaders who influence through continuity and care. They run or co‑run user groups, organize events, mentor advocates, and ensure communities remain strong, inclusive, and sustainable.

3. The Strategic Storyteller
   Influencers who shape how IBM technology is understood. Through thoughtful writing, speaking, or long‑form content, they connect technical depth with narrative, helping others understand not just how, but why.

Each path creates a different kind of influence and all are equally valid.

Advocacy at the Influencer Level

At this stage, advocacy is no longer experimental. This is often where advocacy shifts from “when I can” to “with intention.”

Influencers typically:

• Show up consistently over time

• Take ownership of their impact

• Choose substance and quality over visibility alone

• Contribute in ways others come to rely on

• Build trust with peers, communities, and IBM

Influence is not measured by any single activity. It’s reflected in questions like:

• Who do others turn to?

• What would be missed if this person stepped away?

• How has the ecosystem changed because they are here?

IBM Influencer is also the level at which the program strongly enforces the line between company and individual. It is at this level that advocacy must be personal rather than corporate. Those advocacy activities, which clearly reflect your day-to-day job expectations, or promote or market your employer, such as writing blogs that appear only on the company website; holding customer events for your business; or presenting sessions about your company’s products rather than IBM’s, are still appreciated for the way they support IBM as a whole, but are not rewarded through the program.

From Influencer Toward Champion

Not all Influencers become Champions — and that is intentional. The Influencer level represents evaluation readiness, not guaranteed progression. Influencers are well positioned for Champion consideration when their advocacy:

• Demonstrates long‑term commitment and reliability

• Shows clear ecosystem and market impact

• Extends beyond individual contributions into stewardship and leadership

• Continues to evolve rather than plateau

Progression at this level is never automatic. Champion recognition is selective by design, because it reflects a deeper level of trust, alignment, and responsibility.

Advocacy shifts from “when I can” 

→ to → “with intention.”

Get Started or Keep Going

New to the Rising Champions Program?
Apply using the Candidate Application Form (Starting in 2026, this form is for new applicants only).  

Important note on IBM Z and LinuxONE advocacy: If your activity is primarily related to IBM Z and LinuxONE, you may want to begin with the IBM Z and LinuxONE Advocacy Hub. Please note that activities used for earning the IBM Z and LinuxONE community badges will not be double-counted for badges in the IBM Rising Champions Advocacy program; however, if you are evaluated for IBM Champion status, the selection committee may review all advocacy activity and consider any badges earned across each program.

Current or past participants (including Champions)?

Use your IBM Champion Program ID to report advocacy via the Activity Reporting Form.
Please do not submit multiple applications if you already exist in the system.

Learn more about each level: Contributor and Advocate.

Thank you to every Influencer who leads with intention, humility, and care.

Your consistency builds trust.
Your leadership strengthens communities.
And your impact extends far beyond any single activity.

As always, the program reserves the right to update categories and badge/program definitions.