Donna Read
Donna Read is a retired engineering and technology professional with over two decades of leadership experience at IBM, where she served as Senior Sustainability Specialist for Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Throughout her 21-year career with IBM, she was instrumental in helping clients accelerate product and software delivery by optimizing processes, methods, and tooling. Her work spanned key areas such as sustainability, cloud computing, and IoT engineering, reflecting her dedication to improving efficiency and innovation in complex, software-driven environments. Earlier in her career, she held key sales and management roles at Rogue Wave Software, where she led regional teams and developed her strong foundation in technical sales and client engagement.
Donna holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Texas Tech University, where she was inducted into the Phi Epsilon Tau Petroleum Honorary, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Biology from Eastern New Mexico University, where she was a standout collegiate basketball and volleyball player. Her contributions to athletics were later recognized when she was inducted into Eastern New Mexico University’s Athletic Hall of Honors for her outstanding achievements in women’s basketball. A published author in petroleum engineering, Donna co-authored multiple trade articles on hydraulic fracturing and radioactive tracing and is a co-inventor of two U.S. patents related to radioactive tracing with particles.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Donna attributes much of her success to the mentors who guided her throughout her career, shaping her leadership philosophy and commitment to lifelong learning. Passionate about animal welfare, she actively supports causes that promote the well-being of animals. In retirement, she enjoys spending time outdoors—hiking, traveling, and exploring new destinations. She also loves pontoon boating, embracing every opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
• Insight Selling with IBM Sales Plays
• IBM Envizi Sales Intermediate
• IBM Technology Excellence
• IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite Vegetation Management Sales Foundation
• IBM Supply Chain Intelligence Suite Sales Foundation
• B2B Collaboration – Supply Chain Business Network Sales Foundation
• Maximo Application Suite Sales Foundation
• IBM Selling Profession Certification - Level II
• Cloud & Cognitive
• Hybrid Cloud Foundations
• Design Thinking Practitioner
• Texas Tech University - BS
• Eastern New Mexico University’s Athletic Hall of Honors for Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Basketball
• Phi Epsilon Tau - Petroleum Honorary
• Hobbs SPE of AIME Scholarship Award
• Basketball Academic All American
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my unwavering dedication, strong work ethic, and determination to achieve my goals.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to give every opportunity a chance—you never know when something might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be resilient, determined, and adaptable. Challenges are inevitable, but your ability to stay focused, persevere, and embrace change will set you apart and lead to lasting success.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is keeping pace with rapidly evolving technology, which requires continuous learning and adaptability. Additionally, working in a male-dominated industry means consistently having to prove my capabilities and earn recognition. However, these challenges also present opportunities—to innovate, break barriers, and pave the way for greater inclusivity and representation in the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me both professionally and personally are honesty, integrity, and straightforward communication. I believe in being transparent, staying true to my principles, and treating others with respect and authenticity in every interaction.
Locations
IBM
Prescott Valley, AZ 86315