02 May May 2, 2025 – IBM’s Ed Walsh, TextNow Derek Ting and Employee Ownership Marie Davis
Ed Walsh – Senior Managing Consultant, Hybrid Cloud Transformation, IBM Consulting
Edward Walsh
Edward Walsh is seasoned technology strategist specializing in digital and cloud transformation initiatives. He brings deep expertise in transforming complex technological challenges into strategic business opportunities, helping organizations reimagine their digital futures. As a Senior Managing Consultant in IBM’s Global Cloud Advisory practice, he provides strategic counsel to clients across all industries embarking on large-scale modernization journey and architects comprehensive cloud transformation roadmaps that bridge business objectives with cutting-edge IT strategies. He excels in helping organizations strategically assess their cloud investments and determine innovative ways for them to harness hybrid cloud and AI technologies that will drive unprecedented business value. Edward also spearheads offering development and go-to-market programs within IBM leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience in hybrid cloud and AI for business agility and growth.
Derek Ting – Founder and CEO of TextNow
Derek Ting
Derek Ting is the founder and CEO of TextNow, the first U.S. mobile provider to offer truly free phone service with unlimited talk, text and essential data. With over 250 million downloads, TextNow has become a major disruptor in the U.S. wireless space and an alternative to the traditional carrier model, making phone service free, easy, and accessible to all through an ad-supported revenue model. Derek founded TextNow in 2009 when he was 19 at The University of Waterloo. The business has been profitable and enjoyed healthy growth since inception, with just $1.4 million in seed funding. Prior to building and scaling TextNow, Derek founded two successful startups while in college and high school, Woolnet and Torrent Reactor, both of which he sold prior to starting TextNow.
Marie Davis – Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership
Marie Davis
Marie Davis is an Atlanta, Georgia native. Starting her career as a foster care and adoptions liaison, she then moved to the business sector and obtained a Series 7 and 63 financial license. As Executive Director of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO), Marie promotes strategic planning for business owners with employee ownership as an option. She is also honored to be the Interim Executive Director of the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership (MOCEO). Mentoring is another passion; she is currently a mentor for UGA, her alma mater and has mentored many children through the years.