Susan Wedge is the IBM Consulting’s Managing Partner for the U.S. Public & Federal Market. Commanding a robust $2.2 billion portfolio, she leads a team of over 4,000 professionals across government, education, life sciences, and healthcare industries.
Susan Wedge’s efforts were recognized with a Wash100 Award in 2024, placing her among the top 30 winners. Get to know more about her background and contributions here.
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Who is Susan Wedge?
Susan Wedge is a prominent figure in the consulting industry. She oversees the delivery of consulting services and technology solutions, aiming to improve the performance of government, education, healthcare, and life science customers within the U.S.
Wedge’s career at IBM began in 2002 as a Senior Consultant and Program Manager, where she enhanced the performance of an Intelligence Community customer. Her journey within the company saw ascending leadership roles, including Senior Partner and Growth Platform Leader for the U.S. federal operational transformation practice and Senior Partner in the civilian and health aspects of the U.S. federal market business.
Wedge started her career at American Management Systems. She focused on financial planning for the company’s public sector clients, progressing from an intern to a consultant and principal. She left the firm after seven years.
Susan Wedge holds a Bachelor of Science with Distinction from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, concentrating in Finance and Management Information.
Susan Wedge is a Wash100 Award Winner in 2024
In 2024, Susan Wedge won her first Wash100 Award for bringing new technology ideas to government clients.
Wedge has been using artificial intelligence, ensuring its open use to improve government works. Under her guidance, IBM has focused on advocating responsible AI use. This includes making operations more efficient at the Veterans Benefits Administration and freeing over 500 claims specialists for more important tasks.
Additionally, her work has played a big role in IBM’s $2.6 billion project to update the Internal Revenue Service’s tech systems. This contract award is a part of Wedge’s many impactful works across IBM and the government contracting market.
Impact of Susan Wedge on IBM Consulting’s Clients in the Public Sector
Here are some of the key initiatives and leadership strategies that Susan Wedge has delivered for IBM Consulting’s clients.
Addressing Supply Chain Security
IBM works with the Department of Defense to strengthen the security of the microelectronic supply chain, ensuring these vital military components are locally and reliably manufactured. They are also key components in mobile devices, computers, and advanced weapons systems.
Susan Wedge is tasked to lead this project for IBM. She ensures the continued delivery of secured microelectronics and supply chain services through the 20-year Trusted Foundry program.
In July 2023, IBM received Trusted Supplier Accreditation from the DOD Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) for delivering embedded security services.
Modernizing Grant Management Systems
Susan Wedge’s team at IBM Consulting works with its Red Hat counterpart to revolutionize the Department of Education’s G5 grants management system.
Their mission is to enhance the system’s functionality and user-friendliness, thereby streamlining the administration and distribution of grants. The plan is to adopt a user-centered design and agile methodologies to align the system’s development with actual user needs.
Acquisition of Octo Consulting
Susan Wedge is a part of IBM’s strategic acquisition of Octo Consulting worth $1.2 billion. It is marked as the most substantial deal in IBM’s consulting history.
This acquisition is expected to amplify IBM’s influence with public sector clients, including those in the U.S. government. It mainly includes adopting artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud computing to fulfill the requirements of their clients.