The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: Melissa Drew

Melissa Drew has 27 years of business & digital transformation and 17 years working with cognitive technologies. At IBM she works to reimagine digital transformation strategies and analytics using cognitive technologies to create a better informed, decision-based organization.

Recognized as a global speaker, instructor, and creative disruptor, Melissa is a visionary to how we can stay ahead of our constantly changing global landscape. She has been recognized for multiple industry awards for exceptional performance, leadership, & influence. She is a frequent speaker (domestic & international) for conferences and fortune 50 companies.

Melissa embodies the key characteristics that set her apart from other consultants: integrity, relationship (trusted advisor), value-driven, self-awareness, and sharing knowledge & mentoring the next generation.

What's been the biggest factor in your success?

"The foundation to my success is my ability to adapt and evolve myself, and skills as a consultant. For example, being aware of new technologies and how to redefine what success will look like after a business & technology transformation. That definition of success changes every two years now, whereas as before, it was redefined on average every five years." My continuous learning journey includes looking at topics differently to have a point of view and sometimes, a very insightful point of view that hasn't been considered yet. (LOL) My career started in 1996, since then I have evolved from a web developer creating the 1st publicly known online database to capture and analyze supplier information (RFI / RFP) for the Alabama Apparel & Textile Company using federal grant money."

"Since then, I have gained expertise supplementing my foundational strengths in global strategic sourcing, growth strategist for starts up, supplier diversity, data management, supplier & supply chain management, on-premise to cloud, source to pay, global business and digital transformation, and now infused cognitive technologies to truly shift the workforce away from tactical activities to value-added activities, which is where they are."

"In my 27 years, I recognize the need to change and have been constantly supplemented by knowledge. More importantly, I look forward to what the next 20 years will bring. It is that forward-thinking view that allows a consultant to become an exceptional global consultant."

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

"My motivation comes from multiple sources: 1; knowing that I can make an impact by facilitating that transformational change in the organization's growth strategy 2; desire to be a good role model for my children and 3; impacting the next generation to enable them to achieve their goals and how they define success."