WOC STEM Conference to honor Former IBM Executives Ted Childs and Nicholas Donofrio

The 30th Annual Women of Color (WOC) STEM Conference will highlight exceptional achievements in STEM and pay tribute to individuals who have shown lifelong leadership, enduring dedication, and a lasting influence.

BALTIMORE – June 6, 2025 – PRLog – From leading corporate diversity initiatives to guiding the next generation, Ted Childs, former vice president of global workforce diversity, and Nicholas Donofrio, former executive vice president of innovation and technology, made significant progress at IBM Corporation in promoting equity in tangible and meaningful ways.

Recognizing Visionaries
The Waves of Change Conference, also known as the Women of Color (WOC) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference, has advocated for the inclusion of women and people of color in STEM fields since 1995.

Ted Childs and Nicholas Donofrio will be honored at the 30th Annual Conference, an event dedicated to celebrating visionaries who lead change and inspire advancement. Join us in acknowledging their outstanding contributions!

A Milestone Celebration
The conference will mark its 30th anniversary with a special gathering in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 23-25, 2025.

“This marks 30 years of fulfilling our promise to create spaces where brilliance is recognized, heard, and appreciated,” said Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO of Career Communications Group and the event’s founder. “WOC is more than just a conference—it’s a rallying call that has resonated through classrooms, boardrooms, and STEM communities for three decades.”

IBM: A Trailblazer in the Effort
IBM was the first major supporter of the WOC STEM Conference and has been a dedicated partner of the event since its inception. IBM understood early on that diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a crucial business need.

“IBM didn’t just participate—they led,” said Taborn. “That’s why we are honored to recognize Ted Childs and Nicholas Donofrio, whose efforts exemplify the importance of sustained commitment to diversity in STEM. With these leaders leading the way, they helped shape what corporate responsibility should entail in the modern era.”

Ted Childs developed frameworks at IBM that revolutionized how companies approach and implement diversity strategies.

“Ted Childs ensured diversity had a permanent place at the table,” Taborn remarked. “He proved that intentional inclusion leads to innovation.”

Nicholas Donofrio, a lifelong educator and advocate, has guided numerous students to success in STEM, particularly those traditionally underrepresented in conventional systems.

“Nicholas Donofrio opened doors where others saw barriers,” said Taborn. “His legacy lives on in every student he supported, every career he kickstarted, and every life he impacted.”

About Waves of Change / Women of Color STEM Conference
Celebrating its 30th year, Waves of Change—also known as the Women of Color STEM Conference—is the nation’s longest-standing platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of historically marginalized women in STEM. The 2025 conference will take place on October 23–25, 2025, at the Baltimore Convention Center, bringing together thousands of professionals, educators, students, and executives for three days of acknowledgment, networking, and inspiration. Website: https://ccgmag.com/mpage/woc-stem-conference-home (https://www.womenofcolor.net)