Introducing the 2025 IBM Champions for App Runtimes
Claudia Beisiegel
App Runtimes Client Engagement Product Manager & IBM Champions App Runtimes Program Manager
I’d like to introduce our class of IBM Champions for App Runtimes for 2025. This year we named over 60 members of the App Runtimes community a Champion, many of which are returning from last year, but we are also thrilled to welcome many new Champions as well. These Champions have expertise and skills across the App Runtimes portfolio, including WebSphere, Liberty, Cloud Pak for Applications, Enterprise App Services for Java, WebSphere Automation, Application Modernization Accelerator, AI driven application modernization, DevOps Automation and more. The Champions are critical to the App Runtimes business and community, and we couldn’t do it without them.
First, a quick reminder of who the IBM Champions are and what they do. The Champions program recognizes the most passionate IBM technology experts around the world. They are non-IBMer clients, Business Partners, ISVs, consultants, academics, and more who influence the market by guiding buying decisions, inspiring innovation, shaping IBM product development, educating new generations of users, and deepening community growth. This year, more than 1,400 new and returning advocates were invited to become IBM Champions in 2025 based on their expertise, contributions, and thought leadership. Read the blog by IBM Champion Program Director Libby Ingrassia here for a more detailed overview of the program and the class of 2025.
For App Runtimes portfolio, we have cultivated exceptional relationships with our Champions over the years, some of whom we engage with on a weekly basis. Their support has been invaluable in strategic discussions, prioritizing plans for success, and representing the voices of the customers and partners we collaborate with. Many of our Champions are essential in creating impactful public references, for which we are extremely grateful.
For instance, Walid Largou and his companies, Power Maroc (the leading IBM Partner in Morocco) and rKube, have been tremendous supporters at conferences such as IBM Think and TechXchange and have collaborated with us on creating (example) references. Additionally, Richard Fichtner, the CEO of XDEV Software and co-organizer of JCON, has been a remarkable Champion. He joined us during our spotlight session at TechXchange 2024 to discuss the ease of use and cost savings with one of our new offerings, EASeJ, and consistently contributes through design reviews, client engagements, and co-authored blogs. Thank you to both Walid and Richard!
Our Champions also play a crucial role in shaping product strategy and innovation. They participate actively in our weekly Customer Advisory Board, offer ongoing feedback through our User Research program, and engage in our development process during playbacks and backlog prioritization sessions, all aimed at building a cost-effective Java strategy. We invite our Champions to participate in workshops focused on addressing client needs, such as minimizing application changes, upgrading Java while retaining WebSphere admin capabilities, and facilitating a successful transition to the cloud.
In a recent workshop at Hursley, Mark Robbins from Cohesive dedicated a day to providing the high-quality, honest feedback that we hold in the highest regard. We also value the special collaboration with Andre Wiradarma from USAA, who has given many presentations at conferences (both virtual and in person), contributed insights through our user research program, and remains a constant source of learning for us. Thank you to both Mark and Andre!
By bridging insights from both sides, we collectively enrich our endeavors and achieve greater outcomes.
How can you get involved and connect with the IBM Champions for App Runtimes? Bookmark the WebSphere & Liberty CAB website here, and the IBM Champions directory here, a key feature of our refreshed home page. See who is an IBM Champion in your geography, what skills they have, how they prefer to connect, and what sorts of advocacy activities they tend to best engage in. Reach out to them on social media or the IBM TechXchange community. The IBM Champions love connecting with other technology professionals, sharing their expertise, and answering questions. Do you know someone in your community who deserves to be an IBM Champion or even yourself? Start thinking about who to nominate as an IBM Champion in 2026 and keep an eye out for the nominations registration form that will open later this year.
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