Kathleen McGivney

AIDS Walk 2013

In a few weeks, I will be participating in the AIDS Walk in New York City, which raises funds that help people who are living with HIV and AIDS and helps prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS through education and research. I have been a supporter of GMHC, the organization that organizes the event, for quite some time now, and they do great work in the community. Though I have supported walkers in the past, this year I am participating myself and I need your help to make my personal fundraising goal and our team goal. 

Though I grew up in the '80s, when AIDS was just becoming known as a major disease and killer, I was too young for it to impact me much personally. I didn't know anyone with HIV or AIDS until much later in my life, so I didn't personally see the impact this terrible disease had on so many people, but what I did know was that it was a situation that needed to change. Even now, with improvements in treatment and medications, many people with a positive diagnosis live long, healthy lives. But the fight shouldn't end there, because there are still people suffering and dying from this disease.

Did you know…?
- 1 in 5 of those living with HIV is unaware of their status.
- Since the epidemic began, more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with AIDS.
- About 56,300 Americans are infected with HIV each year.
- Every donation brings us closer together as a community AND closer to ending AIDS.

In 2007, I lost a dear friend, Jonathan, to AIDS. It was sudden - very few of his friends knew he was sick, and he certainly didn't appear sick when I saw him a couple of months before his death. I think about him often and miss him terribly. I am walking on May 19 for him and for all those who have suffered or died due to this disease.

To support our team, please click here: http://awny2013.kintera.org/20130502131421973

If your employer matches charitable contributions, please follow these instructions to have the matching amount included in our fundraising total: http://aidswalk.net/newyork/fundraise/matching-gift-information

From our team: Kathleen, Atom, Melissa, Elizabeth, and Shane: Thank you!

A new beginning

I've been through a number of changes over the past couple of years, and today I have a fabulous one to share with you. It's with great happiness and excitement that I announce that I'll be closing up shop at Sakura Consulting and joining Socialtext as a Customer Success Manager.

Like it was for Alan, moving to a company that is outside of the Lotus community is a little bittersweet for me. I've been working with Lotus products since 1996, and I've spent most of that time in deeply technical roles. I've spoken at many Lotus-related conferences (and still will in January - more on that in a moment). Most of all, I've met some amazing people during my time working with Lotus products, whether I was a Lotus/IBM customer, business partner, or IBMer. The Lotus community has some of the most passionate, intelligent, and geeky people I've ever met, and I'm happy to have been a part of it for so long.

The move to Socialtext is not only a logical one for me in terms of career direction, but also in terms of the software I'll be working with. Socialtext is all about collaboration, in its culture and its products. That's one of the things that really speaks to me about Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0 - the collaborative aspect. It's an aspect I'm very familiar with, and why I think the Lotus community was so quick to grok the value of things like Twitter - collaborative software is in our blood.

I could not be happier about my new role at Socialtext, where I'll continue to put that love for collaboration into practice. I'm excited about the software, the company, and the people I'll be working with. I'll post more about my role and the products as I move into my new responsibilities in early January.

Also, as mentioned, I will be speaking at Lotusphere in January - co-presenting with my evil twin Susan Bulloch for two sessions and participating in the Nerd Girl panel and BoF. I'm also looking forward to seeing the usual lot at the bar, where you are all free to buy me a farewell drink. (I kid, I kid. Mostly.)

I don't plan on leaving the Lotus community completely - I will continue to co-organize the Tri-State Lotus User Group with Mitch for the time being, and will be around the various blogs and chats. So, to the Lotus community - thank you for being so awesome over the years, and please keep in touch!

In Memoriam

Three years ago today, a good friend of mine, Keith Alexander, died in a cycling accident. I can hardly believe that it's been three years already; it seems like just yesterday I was at a bar in Brooklyn with him, talking about music and technology and our crazy-ass friends and making the bartender's life hell. I miss him a lot.

Today, BME News (site is not safe for work!) relaunched with a piece about Keith (interview link safe for work) as its lead story. Several people contributed their memories and thoughts about Keith, including me. I am glad that his memory lives on in so many people. I'm better for having known him. Hopefully others will continue to be inspired and influenced by how he lived his life for a long time to come.

Alan Lepofsky - Career 2.0

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Alan Lepofsky, who just announced that he is leaving IBM to join Socialtext. Alan has always been an absolute pleasure to work with - his passion and enthusiasm for Lotus products have always been a valuable asset, and his willingness to help and go the extra mile to get information for a customer have made an impression on me many times. Socialtext is lucky to have him.

Congratulations and best of luck in your new position, Alan!