The words most often used to describe Virginia "Ginni" Rometty, the first female CEO in IBM's 100-year history, aren't what you might expect. To most observers, she was the "natural choice" to lead the technology powerhouse, and she's already been transforming not only IBM, but the entire technology industry.

Rometty began her career at IBM over 30 years ago and has held a number of executive positions since. Her most recent role was as Senior Vice President and Group Executive, IBM Sales, Marketing and Strategy, where she was responsible for IBM's worldwide results--which exceeded $99 billion in 2010.

Rometty also takes a lead in initiatives including IBM's Women in Technology Council, the Women's Leadership Council, Women's Executive Council, and is a fixture on Fortune magazine's list of 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. With her new role, Rometty holds one of the most powerful positions in the technology industry--joining the list of other women C-suite executives like Megan Whitman of HP, Denise Ramos of ITT, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, Ursula Burns of Xerox, and Padmasree Warrior of Cisco.

For breaking the glass ceiling and paving the way for a future full of even more female technology leaders and entrepreneurs, Ginni Rometty is Character Approved.

[Image: Graham Carlow, IBM]