Alexander F. Stern

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Senior Vice President, Strategy and M&A

Alex is responsible for the Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Ventures, and Investor Relations organizations at IBM. In this role, he oversees the development and execution of IBM’s corporate strategy, leads strategic transactions, supports innovation through venture investments, and shapes the company’s long-term vision and financial narrative to the investment community. Since joining IBM in January 2023, Alex has played an integral role in advancing IBM’s portfolio evolution, accelerating growth across its businesses, and aligning strategic priorities that support the company’s long-term vision and position in the market.

Prior to IBM, Alex served as President of Lazard, where he held several senior roles including CEO of Lazard’s Financial Advisory business, Chief Operating Officer, and Global Head of Strategy. Over nearly three decades at Lazard, Alex spearheaded many of the firm’s key strategic and operational initiatives, including expanding the company's service offerings, enhancing collaboration and productivity across the firm’s workforce, and strengthening relationships with investment banking clients. He also helped lead the successful integration of Lazard as it transitioned from a private partnership to a public company. Throughout his tenure, Alex advised Lazard clients on a broad array of transformational growth transactions and value creation initiatives, with a particular emphasis in the technology and telecommunications sectors. He joined Lazard in 1994 and was named Managing Director in 2002.

Alex also previously held positions with Patricof & Co. Ventures and IBM. He serves on the boards of LUNGevity Foundation and Operation Warm and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania.

He holds a B.S. from Duke University, an M.S.E. from the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.