Ch-ch-changes

In the past couple of years, I've been through a series of changes both big and small - moving back to New York City, getting married, changing blogs. Today brings another in that series of changes, as it is my last day with IBM.

I'm both excited for what lies ahead and sad to leave such a wonderful group of colleagues. I've had the great fortune to work with some of the best and brightest within IBM and Lotus. I truly value the time I've spent at IBM/Lotus and am very thankful for the amazing colleagues and friends I've come to know during my time there. And I don't expect those relationships to change - though I'm leaving the company, I'm certainly not leaving the Lotus community.

My decision was not one I took lightly. For the past couple of years, I have often had thoughts of changing focus - taking some time to explore my interests outside of IT and explore new possibilities. I've been very fortunate that I've been able to explore two of my passions while working as an IBMer: travel and photography (and sometimes, a combination of the two). I've found, however, that I'd like to explore that creative side a bit more, so I'll be devoting more time to photography, and will be going back to school for photography and fine art.

But as I said, I won't be leaving the Lotus community. I've started my own consulting company, Sakura Consulting, and will be providing consulting services for an array of Lotus products. I'll also continue to speak at conferences and user groups. In fact, I'll be presenting at the UK Lotus User Group meeting in September.

I want to thank my manager and my colleagues and mentors that supported me as I made this difficult decision. I also want to thank all of the friends and colleagues I've met and worked with via the Lotus community over the years. I encourage you to keep in touch, whether it be by blogging, e-mail, Twitter, or just saying hi when we cross paths at a conference. I've got so many great memories of the people in the Lotus community, and I can't wait to see the new ones that are to come.

Comments

[Ed Brill]

Congratulations, Kathleen! This is a big decision for you and makes sense in so many ways. With all the other change has come great opportunity, and I think many of us welcome a time in our lives when we can balance professional and personal interests and opportunities. I look forward to your success on the Sakura side -- perhaps you can comment here or in a new entry on what areas of Lotus technology you'll focus on, so that some leads on new business can end up your way.

[Kathleen]

Thanks, Ed! Will do - I will post a follow-up with lots more detail about Sakura Consulting early next week. For now, I encourage people to visit the Sakura Consulting website, linked in my post, which already has some information about the types of services we'll be providing.

[Paul Mooney]

Best wishes girl - see you in September

[Carl Tyler]

Congratulations Kathleen and the best of luck! See you in September!

[Duffbert]

Whoo-hoo! Congrats and best of luck.

[Bill Buchan]

Welcome to the dark side. And remember, being your own boss only works if your nice to your employees.. ;-)

And heeey - you can take as much vacation as you like/can afford!

See you in September..

---* Bill

[Bruce and Gayle Elgort]

Best of luck in your new career.

Bruce and Gayle

[Stuart McIntyre]

Well done Kathleen - you won't regret it. See you at UKLUG.

[alan leppfsky]

congrats kat. You are one of the smartest, most honest, and most charasmatic people I've ever worked with. Good luck on this next adventure.

[Jess Stratton]

Congrats Kathleen!! There's nothing like running your own company. Can't wait to see you at Lotusphere to give you a congratulatory hug in person!

[Gregg Eldred]

Welcome to the world of the self-employed! Funny thing about that, you will find that you are "Employee of the Month" every month. :-)

Congratulations and best wishes.

[Chris Miller]

Huge congrats on taking the leap to grow yourself. I applaud it for both of you. I hope both ventures grow beyond belief.

[jenni]

Congrats! I know you will rock out!

[Roberto Boccadoro]

Congratulations Kathleen, and the best of luck for your new endeavour(s).
Hope our paths can cross again, it has been a pleasure to work with you here in IBM.
Ciao
RoB

[Daniel Lieber]

Congratulations Kathleen! This is a big step and I'm confident you'll be very successful! Please use the resources of those of us with experience in this side of the business liberally. It can be tremendously helpful.

I wish you all the best and we will surely work together on some customer projects! :-)

[Julian Woodward]

Congratulations, and all the best. See you at UKLUG :-)

[Mary Beth Raven]

Best of luck, Kathleen!

[Wes Morgan]

[sniff sniff] Waaaaaaaaaaah!

OK, I'm all better now.

Congratulations, good lady - knock 'em dead!

[Shane]

Congratulations!! This is great news. Now, remember, I'm moving back to NYC (April-ish 2009)and you just might need a kick ass personal assistant by then :) xoxox.

[Rob McDonagh]

Congratulations! Sounds like a great move.

[Rajiv Thomas]

Congrats Kathleen. Its a big move but I am sure its going to be a equally big (if not bigger)success. All the very best!!

[Libby]

Hey Kathleen - Biggest of congratulations to you! I hope it's fun and fulfilling.
Libby

[Dvir Reznik]

Kathleen,

All the best in your new challenge !! and good luck !

Maybe we'll meet sometime in the UK ;-)

Dvir.

[Ray Bilyk]

Congratulations! I hope for nothing but the best for you!

And yeah, I'm jealous! Way to find the best employee for your company... YOU!

[Rob Wunderlich]

Best wishes, KM ...

Hope you don't have any issues with your new manager!!