Class of 2009 Yearbook: The Honorees

Employer: State of New York

LOCATION: Albany

First job: Lifeguard and water safety instructor

Most valuable career advice: "No one accomplishes anything by themselves."

Life's ambition: "I have already achieved it: a great mother, daughter, sister and friend and public servant."

What do you love about IT? "The ability to transform organizations."

Best mentoring relationship: "I am fortunate to have several. One special one is my IBM manager, who has been a mentor for 28 years and counting."

People you'd invite to your dream dinner party: Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Bette Davis and Robert Frost

Passions outside of work: "Fishing, and mentoring youth to pursue IT careers."

Your recreational best: "I have attended three Master Angler Awards events."

Favorite book: "I love biographies. Just finished a book on Barack Obama."

What about you would surprise the people you work with? "My childhood fantasy was to be an Olympic swimmer."

Leadership philosophy in a nutshell: "I believe in building a culture of discipline and good leadership. I have encouraged my entire staff to adopt the philosophy [from the book]