Serena Chan 
IBM Canada Ltd.
Excellence in Innovation
Serena Chan is a Partner in IBM Financial Services sector in IBM Global Business Services (GBS) in Canada, focused on helping clients accelerate digital reinvention, from strategy, technology to incubating and scaling new skills and competencies. Chan has led portfolios of work that have designed new and differentiated legendary customer experiences, implemented award-winning solutions, and adopted AI technologies for customer experience and operational efficiency. Serena holds 18 professional certifications and 38 digital badges. She is a 4 time IBM Redbook author. She is also passionate about helping underprivileged teenagers and represented IBM performing pro bono consulting services in Mexico City for IBM Service Corps. She stands as a voice for minorities and is the guild leader for Technical Women's Guild at IBM and created an apprentice Associate Partner program coaching future leaders to become Associate Partners at IBM.
Chan is no stranger to industry honors—She has received 28 personal awards including IBM Delivery Excellence award 7 times and Best of IBM in 2017. She is the first Chinese woman to become a Partner in FSS in GBS IBM Canada. She received the Professional Achievement Award from CPAC in 2019. She was named one of Canada's Top 50 women in FinTech in 2019 from Digital Finance Institute and Top 25 RBC Immigrant Award in 2020. With that said, she holds her recognition as one of Consulting's Leading Women in Technology in very high regard. "I feel extremely privileged to be recognized for the Women Leaders in Technology award. I'm pleased to accept the award not only on behalf of myself but also on behalf of the many individuals out there who share the same values and beliefs."
Reflecting on the hurdles she's faced, Chan says, "Every unique challenge brings an opportunity to do something about it. Being an Asian woman in tech is a badge of honor. I wear it proud, loud and continue to do the hard work to help lead the way for others."
Q&A: What would you say is the best advice (consulting or otherwise) you've ever received?
On receiving good advice in her career, she notes, "Maintain a growth mindset, learning new skills and practicing new ways of working. I believe that a person's true potential is unknown and that it's impossible to foresee what can be accomplished. Always stretch yourself on every assignment. We always come out stronger on the other end." And she adds, "Don't let anyone define ourselves. We define who we are. There is no need to compare us with anyone. We only need to compare ourselves with the best of ourselves."
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