T. (Ted) Childs, Jr. November 26, 1944 — March 14, 2026
As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from business leaders across the globe, using words like “a force of nature,” “giant,” “more than a trailblazer or visionary—a major icon,” and “a man of consequence.” Others put it more simply: “A man we may never see the likes of again.” And, “There will never be another Ted Childs.”
For 39 years at IBM, Ted Childs accomplished what often seemed impossible—until he made it happen. As a pioneering Human Resources executive, he helped redefine the contemporary workplace. In the 1990s, he spearheaded the creation of corporate resource and referral services for working families that were soon emulated nationwide. Through the American Business Collaboration for Quality Dependent Care, he galvanized 137 companies in 1995 to raise more than $100 million to improve access to quality child care in communities across the country.
Ted relentlessly raised the bar for workplace flexibility and inclusion. He was behind IBM’s decision to provide domestic partner benefits in 1997, long before this was the norm. He led the way in transforming IBM—and influenced countless other companies—into becoming more welcoming and productive environments for women, working parents, people with disabilities, and people of all racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Yet Ted’s definition of diversity was different than most: to him, diversity meant all employees. When he established employee constituency groups, both at IBM and later as a consultant to leading corporations, those groups included white men alongside traditionally underrepresented communities. He always sought to create policies and programs that benefit employees and employers alike.
It is little wonder that Fast Company writer Keith Hammond once called him “perhaps the most effective diversity executive on the planet.” When Ted spoke, companies listened. His work was instrumental in making this nation more family-friendly.
A spellbinding and forceful speaker, Ted riveted audiences not only with his oratory but with his conviction. As one tribute noted, “he was always working for the goal, the vision, and never for self-glorification or advancement.”
Ted was committed to service. Ted took an IBM Social Service Leave in 1982-1983 to serve as Executive Assistant to Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, Executive Director of the NAACP. He took particular pride in serving his country, including advising President Bill Clinton and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin in 1997 on a national dependent care strategy. He also worked closely with Admiral Mike Mullen, the 17th Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during his term (2007-2011) to support policies benefiting members of the U.S. military and their families.
A mentor to countless individuals, Ted had a distinctive way of drawing others into purposeful work. They knew if the phone rang again and again in rapid-fire succession that Ted had something for them to do or someone for them to meet that couldn’t wait.
Ted Childs received numerous awards for his work, including the 1998 Lifetime Achievement Award from NACCRA (now Child Care Aware); the Diversity Award for Excellence in Diversity in the Corporate Sector from Working Mother Magazine in 2000; and the Corporate Leadership Award in 2003 from the Human Rights Campaign. Ted was the third recipient of “The Captain Charlie Tomkins Award” in 2011, a civilian award given by the U.S. Navy to recognize those who make the Navy a better place for all naval personnel. In 2017, he was honored with the “Guys Who Get it Award” by the Institute for Women’s Leadership and the Inspiration Award by Tannenbaum for his role in addressing religious diversity in the workplace.
Ted never lost sight of what mattered most to him—families. If he saw someone after a family member had died and they tried to talk business, he was known to say, “NO. NO. Wait a minute. You just lost someone. That’s what’s important. We need to talk about that.”
He cherished his children—his son, John T. Childs III, and his daughter, J Tiffany Childs—and took pride in their shared initials, JTC. He was a devoted grandfather. His 16-year-old grandson, AJ Hendricks, was a constant companion, especially during his last years, and Ted’s eyes lit up at just the mention of him. Ted often described grandparenthood as “the fourth quarter,” adding, “We were made for this.”
Ted was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, to the late John T. (Ted) Childs, Sr., of Monsanto Chemical Company, and Clara Leonora Douglas Childs, a well-known teacher in Springfield. He graduated from West Virginia State University, later serving on its board of directors and as president of its foundation. A lifelong member of Omega Psi Phi, he wore its pin and cap everywhere and displayed its symbol on his front door. In 2011, he received the “Omega Century Award of Excellence.”
Ted Childs was preceded in death by his former wife, Violet Marie Childs. He is survived by his two children, J Tiffany Childs and John T. Childs III (Resa Kierstein), and his three grandchildren, John T. Childs IV, Kiersten Jessica Childs, and Adonis Depew (AJ) Hendricks, Jr.
Ted’s mother once urged him to “reach for the stars.” He did, but even the stars were a beginning. In a manuscript he was completing, he reflected that “what’s possible” is a way-station. “When we are successful, if thoughtful, we realize that we have done something transformational—and now have need for a new vision, the next ‘What is possible?’ question.”
Ted Childs leaves behind not only a legacy of transformation, but a challenge—to keep asking what is possible, and then working to make it happen.
Participate in a Virtual Remembrance:
Inclusion Allies Coalition (a non-profit organization founded in 2016 that supports and provides learning opportunities for diversity and inclusion practitioners) will host a virtual Remembrance of Ted Childs on Saturday 4/11 from 2-4pm ET. To register follow this link: https://bit.ly/TedChildsCC.