Ria Pinto is the General Manager and Technology Leader of IBM South Africa.

Ria is a business leader who has demonstrated the ability to be a positive team builder and results-orientated with a track record in generating substantial revenue performance for IBM through innovative business and sales achievements.

Ria joined IBM in 1997 as a Business Development Executive in the Global Technology Services business. She held various leadership roles before moving to IBM UK on assignment. Upon her return, she took on a Business Operations role, responsible for Operations, Business Controls, Finance and Sales Operations for the Infrastructure Services Business.

Ria was then appointed as the Client Executive for a large South African Bank and established a strong IBM presence in this account, building it into one of the largest Banking Clients for IBM in MEA. She was appointed Director of Financial Services in 2015, leading a team focused on growing the IBM Business in the Financial Services Sector.

In 2017, Ria took over the leadership of the Global Markets organization covering all Sectors in South Africa, with the Central Africa region being added to her territory in 2019. In 2021, Ria took on the MEA Red Hat Synergy role, working closely with the Red Hat team to drive collaboration across all the territories in MEA.

Ria was appointed General Manager and Technology Leader for IBM in South Africa and will be responsible for growing and positioning IBM to serve its clients better in this market.

Throughout her career, Ria has completed various management and leadership development programs. She is passionate about developing people and driving growth and has completed various coaching and development training programs.