Sandra Johnson, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Rice University, returned to campus for a fireside chat that celebrated her impactful career and the launch of her new book, “Soft Power for the Journey: The Life of a STEM Trailblazer.”
The event was hosted by the Rice Center for Engineering Leadership (RCEL) and is part of the “Engineers in the C-Suite” speaker series, which aims to guide and inspire students by showcasing world-class engineering executives and technology leaders who work closely with engineers.
Johnson was introduced by Ashok Veeraraghavan , chair of the electrical and computer engineering department, who gave an overview of her remarkable journey from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to the highest echelons of the technology sector. Adam McFarland, a junior in mechanical engineering, served as the moderator of the event, inviting Johnson to reflect on pivotal moments in her career through a series of thoughtful questions.
Johnson eased into the conversation with a joke about the incentive that drove her to attend the high school summer program which introduced her to electrical engineering, igniting a lifelong passion for the field.
“My overall objective when I was maybe a junior in high school was to get the type of job that enabled me to buy a high-end dishwasher,” Johnson said. “I fell in love with electrical engineering: I thought, ‘This is what I was born to do.’ I thought that then, and I still do.”
From her early research at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center, where she contributed to the design of the groundbreaking Deep Blue chess machine, to her transition into global business leadership as chief technology officer of IBM’s Africa region, Johnson offered insights into navigating challenges as a woman of color in a male-dominated field.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when Johnson described how she transformed adversity into motivation. She recalled facing overt discrimination during her time at Stanford University, including being excluded from study groups. Yet she persisted, forming alliances with fellow students and deciding to pursue her Ph.D. after encountering Nobel laureate William Shockley, who was notorious for his racist views. “‘I’ll show you,’” she recalled telling herself.
Throughout the discussion, Johnson emphasized the critical role of mentorship and sponsorship in her journey.
“It’s not enough to be good at what you do if no one knows about it,” she advised, urging students to cultivate relationships with mentors who can advocate for them behind closed doors. She shared a personal story of a mentor who championed her for her first CTO role at IBM, saying, “That’s the kind of sponsor you want,” someone who is “aware of your interests, aware of your capabilities” and “can provide you with guidance and direction as well as make things happen for you.”
Upon her retirement from IBM, Johnson launched SKJ Visioneering and Global Mobile Finance, a financial services firm that provides safe, reliable and low-cost transnational banking services. She explained that her motivation came from learning firsthand how difficult, expensive and even dangerous it can be to transfer money overseas. Through her ingenuity, Johnson was able to develop a solution that improved the lives of millions of people.
The fireside chat was followed by an audience Q&A session, where Johnson reflected on lessons learned from her global experiences and stressed the importance of confidence and purpose.
“You are the captain of your ship,” she told attendees. “Find out what your destination is — your purpose and your destiny — and focus on getting there now.”
The event concluded with a reception and book-signing.
Fred Higgs, the John and Ann Doerr Professor of Mechanical Engineering, vice provost for academic affairs and RCEL faculty director, said, “The Engineers in the C-Suite series connects our students with global engineering leaders like Dr. Johnson, a CEO and former CTO, who exemplifies the pinnacle of engineering leadership.
“Dr. Johnson’s journey shows what is possible at the highest levels of innovation and decision-making. We hope our students are inspired by these conversations to pursue leadership and excellence, aiming to become the CEOs and CTOs of tomorrow.”