3 rising stars help Lenovo further its mission to create Smarter Technology for All

While Lenovo’s story has always been about creating smarter technology for all, as the company continues to grow, there has been an increased desire to ensure employees are engaged in that mission. Lenovo knows that members of the team must have drive and ownership to move both technology and service forward.

Angela Martin, Melinda Douglass, and Robert Daigle are three rising stars in the Triangle who are dedicated to helping Lenovo bring smarter technology to all corners of the world.

Angela Martin

Angela Martin's journey at Lenovo is a testament to her tenacity and passion for user experience design. Her story begins with overcoming challenges associated with dyslexia, a hurdle that could have diverted her path toward specialized education. Instead, her mother decided to enroll her at Bellevue, Washington’s Forest Ridge High School of the Sacred Heart, an institution that laid the foundation for her trajectory.

Using a ThinkPad to create posters in Adobe Photoshop ignited her love for design, eventually leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in UX Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). There, she engaged in a transformative 10-week collaboration with Lenovo focused on enhancing access, diversity, and representation in STEAM education. This experience was a gateway to her journey at Lenovo, where she joined the user experience design (UXD) team immediately after graduation.

Martin currently is a Staff User Experience (UX) Designer at Lenovo. Her dedication to accessibility, diversity, and sustainability is evident in her advocacy efforts to ensure products and practices are accessible to diverse users. Martin received the UXD Software team award in 2022 and 2023, acknowledging her pivotal role and achievements.

Beyond her design endeavors, Martin takes pride in her role as Board Chair of ABLE, Lenovo’s disability advocacy employee resource group (ERG). Under her leadership, the ERG has witnessed substantial growth in membership and fosters inclusivity within Lenovo and beyond.

"One of the reasons Angela is a rising star at Lenovo is because of how she uses her strong voice," said supervisor Diana Gerli. "Angela uses her powers of user advocacy and empathy to positively shape not only the software products she works on but also the greater Lenovo community. She has a passion for improving user experiences and is recognized for her ambition."

Melinda Douglass

Melinda Douglass embarked on her Lenovo journey in 2011, initially joining as a contractor on the Consumer and Small Business sales chat team. From the outset, Douglass set her sights on a leadership role and recognized the importance of becoming a full-time employee. Determined to achieve this, she focused on building her brand, consistently surpassing sales targets, and within a year, earned a position as a full-time employee.

Douglass undertook a project that led to the creation of the first online knowledge base for Lenovo Consumer and Small Business Sales. This initiative, consisting of over 110 crafted documents, became the foundation for the team's current knowledge hub, enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction.

She then transitioned into her first leadership role as an Inbound Sales Team Lead which marked the beginning of a varied career at Lenovo. She now serves as the Senior Manager for North America Visuals and carries the torch as an ambassador for the company’s evolve Small initiative.

Douglass attributes her success to an insatiable thirst for learning, the guidance of remarkable mentors, and her willingness to extend help to others. Her philosophy revolves around the belief the impact on others and the respect shown to people are paramount in one's journey.

"I have worked with Melinda for more than seven years in various roles," said June Boersma, executive director at Lenovo. "She has a tireless spirit and every day she brings a positive attitude to Lenovo. Her enthusiasm for her work and incredible laugh is infectious and inspires so many around her!"

Robert Daigle

Robert Daigle's time at Lenovo began in 2017, armed with a background in artificial intelligence (AI) and marketing leadership experience from previous endeavors. His contributions in product marketing were pivotal to the launch and success of Lenovo's pioneering AI products and solutions. These include innovations such as the LiCO AI Platform and purpose-built AI Infrastructure featuring the ThinkSystem SR670 and ThinkEdge SE350 which bring AI compute to the source of data and deliver intelligence to city streets, store shelves and the world’s most remote locations.

Currently serving as the Global Director of AI Business at Lenovo, Robert oversees the Global Center for Excellence for Lenovo AI. His key accomplishments stand as a testament to his impactful leadership.

Under his guidance as the AI Business Lead, the business witnessed remarkable growth, achieving nearly double-digit year-over-year expansion. His leadership was instrumental in steering the AI solutions business to generate over $2 billion in revenue, showcasing his strategic insight and business foresight.

"Robert, along with his team of highly qualified experts at our Lenovo campus in the Triangle, consistently demonstrate how AI can empower businesses of all sizes," said Scott Tease, Lenovo vice president and GM of AI, Infrastructure Solutions Group. "The businesses span from retailers to hospitals and from manufacturers to stadiums. Lenovo’s innovative application of AI technology is helping these businesses reimagine their future."

These three rising stars exemplify Lenovo's culture of innovation, transformation, and citizenship. Their stories reflect the many other employees’ diverse talents and passions that drive Lenovo's continued success in shaping the future through technology.