Blockchain is often associated with news coverage about the latest price of Bitcoin or the most recent cryptocurrency security breach, but blockchain technology has the potential to transform some of the most complex business processes and transactions. While some of these applications involve the use of digital tokens or cryptocurrency, many simply leverage the secure transparency that blockchain can bring to otherwise cumbersome, human-filled processes. IBM's Marie Wieck will review blockchain technology and discuss how it is changing the business world, one contract at a time.

Marie WieckGeneral Manager, IBM Blockchain

During her more than 25 years with IBM, Marie Wieck has held a variety of technical and executive roles within IBM's hardware, software, and services units. She is passionate about innovation fostered from diverse teams and driving business impact from new technologies. In January 2017, IBM named Wieck to her current position as general manager of blockchain, which is poised to transform business processes and transactions. She is responsible for IBM's participation in the Hyperledger project, which is building an open blockchain ecosystem for developers and service providers.

Wieck holds an MBA from New York University, an MS in computer science from Columbia University, and a BS in engineering from The Cooper Union. She is also a long-serving member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers.