Media

Media, publications and recognition

Published work, selected recognition and testimonials.

As published in The Wall Street Journal Deloitte Insights InformationWeek American Banker

Published

I’ve done the work. Then I wrote about it.

The Wall Street JournalCIO Journal, Mar 2019 With Conversational AI, Focus on User Experience Written with Nick Lawrence at Deloitte. Why conversational AI should be designed for customer value and engagement, not only to take calls away from service representatives. Published in the Deloitte Insights section of CIO Journal. Read at WSJ The Wall Street JournalNov 2019 The Business Case for Conversational AI Written with Vatatmaja and Timothy Murphy at Deloitte. The productivity case for conversational systems, and the more personal, accessible experience they give the people using them. Published in the Deloitte Insights section of WSJ. Read at WSJ Deloitte InsightsAug 2021 Conversational AI: Five Vectors of Progress Written as a managing director in Deloitte’s Applied AI group. Research on where conversational systems were actually heading, published while most of the market was still arguing about chatbots. Read on Deloitte Insights InformationWeekAug 2020 Conversational AI Comes of Age On what the pandemic did to the way financial services talk to customers, and why service centers built on conversational AI were about to matter far more than anyone had planned for. Read on InformationWeek InformationWeekOct 2019 No Wonder the Chatbots Are Sad On keeping a sense of realism about what conversational AI can do today, which is how it moves past the hype and into the real world. Read on InformationWeek American BankerPodcast Are Americans ready for voice banking? Interviewed by Penny Crosman on where banking actually happens next. My answer: through a speaker in a home, a car or a phone. Listen at American Banker LinkedIn2019 to 2022 Articles on conversational AI, IVR and user experience “Customer service savior or overhyped technology?” (2022) and “Interactive Voice Response: The missing link” (2019, written as VP Digital at Genpact), among others. Read on LinkedIn

PwCCo-author Generative AI in Healthcare Co-authored as a managing director at PwC.

Age of Invisible MachinesRobb Wilson & Josh Tyson Asked to endorse what became the bestselling book on AI agents, before agents were a category “With each chapter, I found myself agreeing more and more. This made my must-read list for anyone who cares about technology.” Credited as former Chief Technology Officer and Distinguished Engineer, IBM Watson. See the book

Selected awards

Turning emerging technology into measurable, real-world impact. Recognition across innovation, artificial intelligence, technology leadership, entrepreneurship and invention.

Sherry Comes speaking at the 2023 WLDA Awards in New York — 2023 WinnerChangemaker in AI, Women Leaders in Data & AI

2023Winner, Changemaker in AI, WLDA Awards

<1%of IBM employees hold the Distinguished Engineer distinction

8patents granted, one pending

3industry top-leader lists, 2022 to 2025

2023Changemaker in the Field of AIWinnerWomen Leaders in Data & AI, The Plaza, New York, 9 November 2023One of eleven categories. Named winner as Conversational AI and Emerging Tech Leader, PwC US.

“Sherry’s visionary contributions have revolutionized AI, pioneering new solutions that propel us into the future.”

IBM Distinguished EngineerTop technical distinctionOne of IBM’s highest technical distinctions, held by fewer than one percent of IBM employees, in recognition of technical contribution and leadership.

2021Stevie Award, Most Innovative Woman of the Year in TechnologyStevie Awards for Women in BusinessRecognizing women leaders who have initiated, developed or launched significant technology innovations.

2016Global Excellence Award, Neural Intelligence Platform™ and Neural Chat™BPM.com and WfMC, nominated by Salesforce2016 Awards for Excellence in Case Management, for innovations built with my team at Genpact to advance cognitive computing and intelligent customer engagement.

IBM Plateau Invention Achievement AwardInvention recognitionFor invention achievement across multiple patents and innovative technology solutions. Eight patents granted, one pending.

2026Featured industry leader, AI Industry Roundtable: Shaping the AI-Ready ProfessionalInvited alongside leaders from Google, KPMG, G2, Knit and CU Venture Partners to discuss how AI is reshaping work and how to prepare an AI-ready workforce.CU Boulder Leeds 2025Top 30 contact center leaders to followFor leadership at the intersection of artificial intelligence, customer experience and contact center transformation.CX Network 202475 innovative leaders in AIUsing artificial intelligence to transform customer experience and drive business innovation.PolyAI 202250 leaders transforming contact centersCustomer Service Innovators, for technology, innovation and new operating models.Replicant

The entrepreneur years

The Wall Street Journal, “Best Overall,” CoffeeCakes.comIncluding recognition for ease of navigation and on-time delivery.

Internet Retailer Top 500, CoffeeCakes.comBuilt during the early evolution of e-commerce.

Top Service Five-Star Award, CoffeeCakes.comCustomer-rated, for service and quality.

2008 Outstanding Women in Business AwardDenver Business Journal and NAWBO, for innovation, entrepreneurship and community leadership.

Where it started

President’s Club Nominee, U S WESTAs Lead Internet and e-Business Architect.

Individual Merit Award, U S WESTFor drive and dedication.

Certificate of Merit, Outstanding Team LeadershipLeading a UNIX systems administration organization.

Special Recognition, Enterprise UNIX EnvironmentA stable development environment across more than 1,000 workstations in 14 states.

Special Technical Recognition, Tandem ComputersFor performance, reliability and resilience of critical infrastructure.

Scholarship, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)While studying computer science and geographic information systems at CU Boulder.

Awards

Sherry Comes receiving the WLDA award — Receiving the award

WLDA Awards group photo on the red carpet — Back at the WLDA Awards, 2024

The 2016 Awards for Excellence in Case Management trophy, nominated by Salesforce, for Genpact — The 2016 trophy

IBM leadership

IBM Academy of Technology ChairpersonChair of one of IBM’s most senior technical leadership communities.

Member, IBM Academy of TechnologySelected for IBM’s global technical leadership community.

IBM Colorado Senior Location ExecutiveRepresented the company and its leadership community in Colorado.

Member, IBM IT Architect Certification Board

Elected Co-Chair, IBM Academy Colorado Technical Vitality Council

Executive Co-Chair, Native American and Canadian Aboriginal Executive Council, IBM

Founding Member, IBM Service-Oriented Architecture Center of Excellence

IBM Executive Service Corps, Smarter Cities Challenge, Cape TownWorking with civic leadership on complex urban challenges.

Testimonials

Sherry has a rare ability to quickly break down a complex problem, technical or otherwise, into simple components that anyone can understand. She brings a “we can make it work” attitude, listens deeply, and is a tremendous team member.
Guillermo GuemezCTO, Wonderful.ai

Sherry combines professionalism, innovative thinking, and a genuine passion for the business. She has strategic vision and the ability to clearly communicate that vision to the teams she leads.
Rick PadinhaFormer General Manager & COO, IBM GBS Asia Pacific

Sherry is highly regarded as both a technical leader and a business development leader. She has a willingness to venture into uncharted territory and a rare ability to translate complex technical issues into language business executives understand.
Roger LetalienFormer Partner, IBM

Sherry is forward-thinking, collaborative, and exceptionally skilled at blending business and technology. She has been a leading contributor and thought leader in complex systems integration and delivery excellence.
Ralph E. NelsonFormer Vice President, IBM Global Business Services

Sherry demonstrates strong team leadership, innovative initiative, and a real passion for the business. She has a unique ability to take emerging concepts, gain customer confidence, and turn them into viable offerings.
Sue Miller-FrostFormer Distinguished Engineer, IBM

Sherry is innovative in her thinking and diligent in her execution. She created repeatable tools, methods, and operating models that improved how complex work was delivered across the organization.
Stephen A. YeamansFormer Partnership Executive, IBM Software Group

Sherry was instrumental in helping us evaluate complex choices and make the right decisions. Her expertise and guidance were critical to the process.
Dan MannersFormer Vice President, Deutsche Bank

I have had the pleasure of watching Sherry and CoffeeCakes.com grow over many years. I watched Sherry blossom as a CEO, and her analytical and strategic planning skills make her an exceptional executive.
Gary PudlesPresident & CEO, AnswerNet