#54: Building a world-class brand from scratch with Maria Winans, Kyndryl

B2B Agility with Greg Kihlström™: MarTech, E-Commerce, & Customer Success

What if rebranding wasn’t just about a new logo and tagline, but about transforming an 80,000-person company’s entire culture and strategy? What if brand became one of your most valuable tools for business reinvention?

Today, I’m joined by Maria Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl. After nearly three decades at IBM, Maria took on the monumental task of launching Kyndryl as a stand-alone brand following its spin-off. With a workforce of over 80,000 people across more than 60 markets, Maria has redefined what it means to build a world-class brand from scratch—one that’s people-centric, culture-driven, and positioned for growth. About Maria Winans Maria B. Winans, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyndryl, is a recognized expert in data-driven marketing, brand engagement, and performance marketing.

Prior to joining Kyndryl, Maria amassed an impressive 29-year career at IBM, culminating in her role as the Chief Marketing Officer for IBM Americas. In this capacity, she held overarching responsibility for all marketing professionals and activities throughout North and Latin America. Maria's tenure at IBM was marked by pivotal contributions to global marketing endeavors across diverse disciplines and business units, notably including initiatives such as Smarter Commerce and Watson.

A native of Santiago, Chile, Maria serves as the executive sponsor of Kyndryl’s Hispanic Latin Community. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, the proud mother of two children and a certified fitness instructor. Resources Kyndryl: https://www.kyndryl.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Boston, August 11-14, 2025. Register now: https://bit.ly/etailboston and use code PARTNER20 for 20% off for retailers and brands

Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brightest minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom

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Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com