Member profile
A woman of substance
Profile of Amanda Chessell FREng CEng FBCS, Honorary Fellow of the IED.
Q. What has been your favourite moment in your career?
A. Being appointed a Distinguished Engineer at IBM in 2007. This was partly because it had been an ambition of mine for many years, but also, it is a very rigorous review process that requires detailed documentation on the projects a candidate has delivered, their innovative contributions to the industry, professional activities, such as mentoring, and client interaction. This is topped off with support from about 20 executives who, between them, cover many parts of IBM. It takes a couple of years’ work to put a case together, and it forced
14
me to take stock of my contributions to the profession, and where the gaps were in my portfolio. By the time my case was ready to submit to the review board, I had developed a deep understanding of who I was as an engineer, what made my talents special and what I had achieved. When the appointment was confirmed, it held a very deep significance to me.
Q. What do you most wish you had designed?
A. The recent advances in tablet technology have changed the way we think about interacting with IT.
Q. What does design mean to you?
A. It is the combination of beauty and function that connects with your soul. When you use the product, it is a part of you, helping you to do the task, not getting in the way.
Q. Who has most inspired you to pursue your dreams?
A. I have been lucky to have a number of mentors who have encouraged me to follow my own path and whose confidence in me has given me the courage to stand up for what I believe in.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36