Beyond Recognition: Celebrating Cisco's Women Channel Leaders in 2025

This week marks a moment of genuine pride as I celebrate the incredible Cisco leaders named to CRN’s 2025 Women of the Channel list. This recognition isn’t just about titles or achievements—it’s about the transformative impact these leaders create every day for our partners, customers, and the entire ecosystem. 

The Evolution of Channel Leadership 

The channel landscape has transformed dramatically. McKinsey projects that by 2030, one-third of global sales will flow through integrated network economies. Today’s channel leaders aren’t just managing partnerships—they’re strategic architects building the future. 

The women we celebrate today exemplify this evolution. They’re P&L owners, strategic visionaries, and business innovators who drive tangible outcomes across our organization. They sit at the intersection of technology and business transformation, turning individual capabilities into market-moving solutions. 

Our Power 100 and Visionaries

I’m especially thrilled to recognize our visionary leaders, including those named to CRN’s prestigious Power 100: 

• Alexandra Zagury, VP, Partnerships and Strategy
• Cassie Roach, Global VP, Cloud and AI Infrastructure Partner Sales
• Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, SVP, Cisco Partner Program 
• Gretchen O’Hara, VP of Worldwide Partners & Alliances at Splunk 
• Rhonda Henley, VP, Americas Partner Sales 
• Shannon Leininger, VP, Global Partner Sales
• Jose van Dijk, VP, EMEA Partner Sales & Routes to Market*

*While CRN’s Power 100 recognizes global and North America-based leaders, Jose’s exceptional leadership across our EMEA partner ecosystem exemplified the same transformative impact that defines all our visionaries.

These women don’t just lead teams—they’re reshaping entire markets. They build bridges between technology innovation and business outcomes, creating exponential value for everyone in our ecosystem. 

Driving Ecosystem Innovation 

The complete list of Cisco honorees represents an incredible range of talent across our organization. From pioneering AI-driven solutions to reimagining hybrid work environments, these leaders are building the collaborative foundation that powers our shared success. 

Their impact shows up in three critical areas: 

• Ecosystem Architecture: Designing interconnected systems where every participant multiplies value for everyone else. 
• Business Transformation: Translating technology capabilities into measurable business outcomes. 
• Relationship Innovation: Forging connections that transform partner interactions into market advantage. 

A Personal Note of Gratitude

To each woman recognized this year: your achievements inspire me daily. You’ve embraced the full potential of ecosystem leadership, moving far beyond traditional channel management to become true business innovators. 

Your diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives make our organization stronger. You’ve redefined what’s possible when we truly embrace the power of partnership. 

And to our partners: your collaboration fuels everything we do. These achievements belong to you as well—we succeed together, creating an ecosystem where everyone thrives. 

Looking Forward

As our industry continues its rapid evolution, I’m excited to see how these exceptional leaders will continue shaping the future. The challenges ahead—from AI integration to evolving security landscapes—will require exactly the kind of visionary thinking they bring every day. 

Please join me in celebrating these extraordinary women. Their recognition isn’t just a personal achievement—it’s a testament to the collective power of our ecosystem and the endless possibilities we can create together. 

2025 Women of the Channel 

Alba San Martin Piaggio, Senior Director LATAM Partner Organization
Alexandra Zagury, VP, Partnerships & Strategy
Alicia Lorenzetti, Leader, Strategic Sales & Partnerships
Alison Stahl, Director, Americas Security Partner Organization
Amanda Borowski  Leader, Sales Business Development
Amy Bahlo , Global Partner Account Executive
Amy Smith, Director, Americas Collaboration Partner Sales
Annie Shain, Senior Director, Global Partner Networking Sales
Betsy Cook, Global Channel Incentives Leader at Splunk
Carisa Smith , Senior Director, Americas Channels
Cassie Roach , Global VP, Cloud & AI Infrastructure Partner Sales
Catherine Taylor, Director, Data Center and Cloud Architectures
Cathryn Lyman , Director, Global Partner Networking Sales 
Cécile Willems, Director, Global Partner Program at Splunk
Christine Otts, Director, Global Partner Programs & Demand Acceleration
Courtney Gulley, Leader, Americas Security Partner Sales
Deborah Wong, Director, Ecosystem Co-Sell & Marketplace
Doris Lim, Architecture Leader, APJC Distribution
Elaine Goodman, Global Leader, Strategy & Sales 
Elisabeth De Dobbeleer SVP, Partnerships & Strategy
Emily Foley, Leader Global Marketing & Communications, Cisco Capital
Erin Gertner , VP Canada Partner Organization & SMB Sales
Erin McCaslin, Director, Partner Sales Organization
Gretchen O’ Hara, VP of Worldwide Channels & Alliances at Splunk
Jackie Smith, Head Global Platforms & Strategic Partners at Splunk
Janine Michaelis , Credit Leader, Program Underwriting
Jennifer Craine, Senior Partner Sales Director, Software & Services
Jennifer Keating, Director, Partner Sales Organization
Johanna Riley, Director, Collaboration Partner Sales EMEA
Jose Van Dijk, VP, EMEA Partner Sales & Routes to Market 
Julie Thomas, Senior Director, Partner Strategy & Programs
Karen W Madsen , Leader, Business Development
Kathryn Porter , Director, CX Partner Success
Kathryn Spitz, Leader, Cloud Partner Sales – Americas
Kedra Simm, Director, Global Partner Strategy & Development at Splunk
Krista Verhein , Strategic Lead, Indirect Routes to Market
Kristyn Hogan, VP Collaboration Partner Sales
Lindsay Taitel, Chief of Staff and GTM Acceleration Lead, Americas Security Partner Organization
Lisa Hunter, Director, Partner Managed and as-a-Service Sales
Lisa Miyake, Senior Program Manager at Splunk
Lisa Stifelman-Perry, Director, Global Partner Experience Operations at Splunk
Lisset Ibaceta,  Partners Sales Director Americas Commercial & LatAm at Splunk
Mae Forsythe, AVP, Americas Distribution & Public Sector Partners
Mala Ranganathan , Leader, MS Provider Strategy & Program, GPRS
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
Patty Peppito , Director, Strategy & Planning
Poonam Advani , Director, Architecture Sales & Enablement 
Purvi Ruparel,  Leader, Channel Strategy, Splunk Observability at Splunk
Rachel Forke, Senior Director, Strategy & Planning 
Rhonda Henley, VP, Americas Partner Sales
Robyn Burkes , Director, Americas IoT RTM Sales
Ruchi Pancholi , Global Partner Development Manager
Savitalaxmi Vishwanathan, Global Partner Technical Manager – Global Partner Organization at Splunk
Shannon Leininger, VP, Global Partner Sales
Sharon Price, Director Strategy & Planning
Shenna Johnson, Leader, Global Distribution Marketing
Sridarti Herryanto , Leader, Sales Program and Partner Managed & as-a Service Sales Acceleration APJC
Vanessa Kranjcevic, Director of Partner Sales, Strategy & Planning – Americas Distribution
Wendy Davis, Global Partner Advocacy Leader, Global Partner and Routes to Market Sales 

We encourage you to visit CRN to learn more.

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