Cisco's Women of the Channel: Empowering Innovation, Leadership, and Success in 2024

As CRN unveils their annual Women of the Channel List this May, I am filled with pride and admiration to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary women at Cisco who are driving innovation, leadership, and success within our channel community.

Each year, I am awestruck by the growing number of women worldwide who are being acknowledged for their expertise, dedication, and visionary thinking. These remarkable individuals are not only making their mark in the channel but also breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of women leaders. Their contributions are invaluable, and their impact is immeasurable.

As a leader, I firmly believe in the power of role models. When young women see themselves represented in positions of influence and success, it ignites their imagination and expands their horizons. The Cisco leaders named to the 2024 Women of the Channel List embody the spirit of #SeeItToBeIt, and I am incredibly proud to work alongside them every single day. Their presence and achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring women in the channel.

Now, let’s take a moment to spotlight the exceptional women who have made this year’s list!

Cisco Women of the Channel Power 100

I’m very proud to acknowledge six incredible leaders who have been named to CRN’s Power 100 List: Alexandra Zagury, VP, Partnerships and Strategy; Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, VP, Cisco Partner Program; Gretchen O’Hara, VP of Worldwide Channels and Alliances at Splunk; Jose van Dijk, VP of EMEA Partner Organization; Luxy Thuraisingam, VP of Global SMB and Partner Marketing; and Rhonda Henley, VP of Americas Partner Organization.

These amazing women are not only driving success within their respective areas but are also paving the way for a new generation of female leaders in the channel. Their insights, vision, and influence are truly remarkable, and I couldn’t be more proud to work alongside them as we continue to transform the ecosystem and create new opportunities for our partners and customers alike.

I want to emphasize that this recognition is not possible without the unwavering support and collaboration of our partners. Your success is the driving force behind our commitment to be bold, innovate, and evolve in ways that amplify the impact we create together. Our collective strength and synergy are more crucial than ever before.

Cisco 2024 Women of the Channel

Beyond the Power 100 List, I am thrilled to see numerous other talented and trailblazing Cisco colleagues featured in CRN’s 2024 Women of the Channel List. These women are at the forefront of channel thought leadership, and their dedication to our partners’ success is a testament to the exceptional caliber of our partner program. Their recognition also highlights the seamless alignment between Cisco’s partner, marketing, and sales organizations, all working in unison to serve our partners and customers.

Alba San Martin Piaggio, Senior Director, LATAM Partner Organization
Alexa Trifilo, Director, Global Collaboration Partner Engineering
Alexandra Zagury, VP, Partnerships & Strategy – Power 100
Alexandra Della Sera, Leader, Cybersecurity Partner Sales Specialists
Alicia Lorenzetti, Global Ecosystem & Marketplace Leader
Alison Stahl, Director, Americas Security Partner Organization
Amy Bahlo, Global Partner Executive
Amy Smith, Director, Americas Collaboration Partner Sales
Anita Kotagiri, Chief of Staff to SVP Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales
Annemieke Pot, Global Security Business Development Manager
Annie Shain, Global SP Sales Leader for Meraki
Ashley Grosfeld, Senior Manager, Global SMB & Partner Marketing
Ashley Tokotch, Software Acceleration Business Development Manager
Barbara Bauer, Leader, Global Partner Sales Engagement & Business Operations
Betsy Cook, Global Channel Incentives Leader
Catherine Taylor, Director, Americas Cloud Infrastructure & Software Channel Sales
Cathy Holmes, Director, Americas Service Provider Partner Sales
Charlotte Dolan, EMEA Sales Manager
Cheryl Sheer, Senior Leader, CX Partner Success Strategy & Planning
Christina Jovanovic, Senior Leader, CX Partner Success Strategy & Planning
Christine Otts, Director Partner Demand and Acceleration & Chief of Staff
Courtney Gulley, Leader, East Security Partner Sales
Dana Miller, Sr. Leader, Global Security Partner Marketing
Dayna O’Byrne, Senior Leader, Global Security Partner Sales
Deborah Wong, Leader, CX Partner Sales & Lifecycle Practice
Doris Lim, Sales Business Development Manager, APJC Distribution
Elaine Goodman, Global Leader, Agency Sales
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, Vice President, Cisco Partner Program – Power 100
Emily Foley, Leader Global Marketing & Communications, Cisco Capital
Erin McCaslin, Director, Partner Sales Organization
Eva Lutz, Leader, Partner Go-To-Market
Grace Lo, Global Director, Business Development
Gretchen O’Hara, VP, Worldwide Channels & Alliances at Splunk – Power 100
Gwendolyn Brantley, Leader, Partner Software & Services Sales
Heather Collins, Director, Ecosystem Partners
Jeanne Quinn, Senior Director, Partner Engagement & Program Mktg
Jennifer Craine, Senior Director, Software and Services
Jennifer Keating, Director, Partner Sales Organization
Jennifer Carle, Senior Partner Program Manager, Global Channel
Jennifer Powell, Manager, SLED Channel Sales at Splunk
JoAnn Tillman, Leader, Partner Engagement Campaign Strategy
Johanna Riley, VAR Specialist Leader, EMEA Collaboration Channels
Jose Van Dijk, VP, EMEA Partner Organization – Power 100
Julie Thomas, Senior Director, Global Partner Program & Incentives
Katherine Hannah, Cisco Global Sustainability Lead, Global Partner & Route to Market Sales
Kathryn Spitz, Leader, Cloud Partner Sales – Americas
Kathy Saye, Leader, Partner Sales
Kedra Simm, Director, Partner Program Strategy & Development
Kim Pasche, VP Sales, EMEA Global Virtual Sales
Kimberly Todd, Leader, CX Partner Communications
Kristyn Hogan, Vice President, Global Collaboration Partner Sales
Lindsay Moore, Chief of Staff and GTM Acceleration Lead, Americas Security Partner Organization
Lisa Hunter, Director, Partner Managed and as-a-Service Sales
Lisa Stifelman-Perry, Director, Global Partner Experience Operations at Splunk
Lisette Sanchez, Director of Partner Sales at Cisco AppDynamics
Lori Traylor, Leader, Partner Software & Services Sales
Luxy Thuraisingam, VP, Global SMB & Partner Marketing – Power 100
Mae Forsythe, Senior Director, Public Sector Partner Sales at Splunk
Marisa Metcalf, Head of Global Channel Sales, Service Provider- BT Account
Marta Cabezas, GVSE – Global Channel Strategy & Planning Leader
Mechelle Buys du Plessis, Senior Director, Global Partners
Michelle McCrea, Leader, Partner Sales – US Distribution
Poonam Advani, Director, Global Distribution Sales
Rachel Forke, Senior Director, Partner Strategy & Planning
Rebecca Javens, Director, Americas Channel at Cisco ThousandEyes
Rhonda Henley, VP, Americas Partner Organization – Power 100
Sharon Price, Director, Cisco Partner Program
Shawn Carrigan, Senior Manager Co-Sell Acceleration, Global Partner & Routes to Market Sales
Shenna Johnson, Leader, Global Distribution Marketing
Stephanie Reaves, Leader, Partner Digital Marketing
Szabina Huttner, Strategy and Planning Manager, Partner Routes-to-Market & Sales
Tabitha Jones, Leader, Americas Collaboration Partner Sales
Vanessa Kranjcevic, Director of Partner Sales, Strategy & Planning – Americas Distribution
Victoria Varau, Leader, Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales
Wendy Davis, Global Partner Advocacy Leader, Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales
Winnie Zeliger, Senior Leader, CX Partner Success

To all the Cisco Women of the Channel leaders and the many other remarkable women in the industry who made the list, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your achievements inspire us all, and I am incredibly proud to be part of an organization that values and empowers women in the channel.

I invite everyone to join me in celebrating these outstanding women. Share your congratulations and support in the comments below and across your social media channels. Let’s amplify their voices, showcase their successes, and continue to foster an inclusive and diverse channel community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Together, we are stronger, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, growth, and success in the channel.