As CRN prepares to hand out its third annual Women of the Year Awards, we look at who our finalists for the Role Model of the Year categories say shaped their view of strong, effective leadership.
With the 2025 CRN Women of the Year Gala nearly upon us, we’re spotlighting the finalists in the Role Model of the Year – Solution Provider and Role Model of the Year Vendor/Distributor categories, which spotlight women inspire their colleagues and lead by example, setting the bar for channel leadership success.
Each of our 22 finalists shared in her awards application who her role model is and how that person inspires her.
The gala will honor the winners of the third-annual CRN Women of the Year Awards—spanning 15 individual categories and three company categories—aiming to illuminate women who have made significant contributions to the channel throughout 2025 and the companies that support them.
The finalists were revealed on Sept. 22, and the winners will be disclosed live at the gala on Dec. 9 in New York City (tickets are available here).
Read on for a look at the lessons these role models found valuable.
More from this series:
Role Model of the Year – Solution Provider
Mindy Baggett
Client Director
Blue
My role model was my very first principal, whom I met on my first day of teaching in 1973. The moment I walked into that classroom and met her, I knew I wanted to be a principal someday. She was really classy—her presence commanded respect while making you feel completely welcome. What inspired me most was her genuine positivity and natural charisma. She had this incredible ability to light up a room and make everyone feel valued. Whether talking to a struggling student, supporting a new teacher like me or working with experienced educators, she treated everyone with respect and attention. She didn’t just assign tasks or give orders—she invested in each person’s growth. She saw potential in people before they saw it in themselves. That’s something I’ve carried throughout my career, whether working in schools or business. That principal taught me that real leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about bringing out the best in everyone around you. She planted the seed that teaching and leadership are the same thing: both are about helping others reach their potential.
Judith Breen
VP, Partner Alliances, Portfolio Solutions
Insight Enterprises
I draw immense inspiration from my leader, Reem Gedeon [SVP, GM, Canada at Insight]who has been a pillar of support and guidance. Reem’s leadership style, characterized by high-level thought leadership, collaboration and a deep commitment to fostering an environment where team members feel valued and empowered, has significantly influenced my approach to leadership.
Additionally, I am deeply inspired to be a good role model because of my daughter. As a mother, I understand the importance of setting a positive example and encouraging my daughter to be confident and strong. I try to focus on building her confidence and a strong voice, ensuring she grows up to be a resilient and empowered individual. This personal commitment to my daughter’s growth translates into my professional life, where I mentor and empower my teammates to develop in their careers.
Tanaz Choudhury
President, CEO
Tenches Global Management
My grandmother was the quiet force that shaped who I am today. She didn’t have formal education, but she had vision, resilience and an unshakable sense of dignity. She taught me that leadership starts at home—with how you care for people, how you hold your values and how you rise after every fall.
She inspired me to lead with purpose, not pride. I watched her build community out of limited resources, offer kindness when she had little to give and demand excellence from herself. Her strength was rooted in humility—something I now strive to carry into my role as a woman in tech, a business leader and a mentor.
Her life taught me that power doesn’t always wear a title. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet confidence of a woman who stands up for others and expects nothing in return. I carry that spirit with me every day—whether I’m launching an apprenticeship program, mentoring a young woman entering IT or making a difficult decision in business.
Because of her, I lead with both grit and grace. And I hope to be for others what she was for me: a steady light, even in uncertain moments.
Shannon Ludwig
SVP, Regional Sales
Tiny
I’ve drawn inspiration from trailblazing women who consistently reinvent themselves, challenge norms and use their platforms to drive meaningful change. One of those women is Jane Fonda. Her ability to adapt across decades—whether as an actress, entrepreneur, fitness icon or activist—has always impressed me. She never settles, never stops evolving and continues to speak out for what she believes in, regardless of the environment or resistance. That level of resilience and reinvention resonates with me deeply, especially as a woman navigating leadership in a male-dominated space. It reminds me that growth is never one-dimensional—and that influence comes not just from titles, but from purpose, presence and persistence.
Jennifer Roy
CEO
Nucleus Networks
One of my greatest role models is Sheryl Sandberg. Her leadership at Facebook and her advocacy for women in leadership through “Lean In” deeply resonated with me. I remember reading her book earlier in my career and feeling, for the first time, that someone had put words to the challenges I was facing and that offered a path forward.
She inspired me not just by what she achieved, but by how openly she shared her journey, including the setbacks. That vulnerability, paired with strength, showed me that leadership isn’t about perfection. It is about authenticity, resilience and lifting others as you climb.
Becky Schultz
VP, Sales, Majors
Optiv
My current leader inspires me to be my best. She’s transparent, direct and provides a supportive environment to help me grow and be challenged. She genuinely cares about her employees and people around her and is focused on personal growth and the success of the company she works for—in a balanced, thoughtful way. She has always made me feel heard —like my voice matters. The way she leads pushes me to think bigger, aim higher and remember that I’m a part of something bigger than just my role. Her leadership is both grounding and expansive, and it inspires me to inspire others.
Amie Seisay
Founder, CEO
Seisay IT Solutions
My role model was my calculus professor, Dr. Tasha Inniss, whom I admired greatly during my undergraduate years in Computer Science. She was an inspiring figure, not just because of her remarkable career achievements but also for the unwavering support she provided to me both inside and outside the classroom. At the time, I was attending an all-girls liberal arts college that offered a dual-degree engineering program. However, I discovered that my interests were not mechanical engineering, and the school didn’t have the programs to support women in physical sciences beyond the established disciplines.
With Dr. Inniss’s guidance, I founded an organization called Women in Math, Science, and Engineering. This initiative brought together like-minded women, allowing us to pursue degrees such as Computer Engineering and Computer Science. One of our major projects was organizing a career fair, aimed at providing students with insights into various technical careers. Dr. Inniss was instrumental in reviewing and supporting my ideas, helping me turn them into reality. Her mentorship and encouragement were crucial in helping me navigate my college journey and overcome obstacles. This experience has continued to inspire me in my efforts to support and uplift women in the tech industry.
Kelly Storie
Director, Inside Sales
SHI International
My role model is my grandmother. She overcame poverty, abuse, divorce and even the loss of a child, but every hardship only deepened her strength and spirit.
Her values became the foundation of my own: community, accountability and hard work. One of her favorite sayings was, “Always look busy. Even if you have nothing to do, don’t just sit around.” She always had multiple jobs, kept a spotless home, and cared for children—hers, her grandkids and the neighbors’. She believed there was always something to be done, and that progress came from motion. By “always looking busy,” I inevitably end up finding something productive to do. This advice most directly impacted my career progression. I’ve always taken on new tasks and projects and jumped into conversations because that’s how I was raised. I’m always “looking” busy.
Another of her lessons—“One ‘awe shucks’ wipes out a whole lotta ‘atta boys’”—instilled the importance of integrity, teaching me to weigh my actions carefully and understand that one lapse in judgment can overshadow years of good work. Her legacy lives in everything I do, shaping how I lead, how I work and how I show up for others.
Kandyce Tripp
Managing Director, Business Group Lead, Accenture Ecosystem Partners
Accenture Security
Throughout my career, I have admired influential women in the industry as role models. However, as I embrace motherhood, I realize my most impactful role model is my mother. Her influence has profoundly shaped the person and mother I aspire to be for my daughter.
From an early age, my mother instilled in me strong morals, values and integrity. She taught me to distinguish right from wrong, treat others with respect and value education and lifelong learning. She encouraged me to dream big and pursue my passions with determination. Throughout my life, she has been my greatest supporter, quietly cheering for my success and happiness.
As I navigate motherhood, I draw inspiration from her unwavering support and guidance. She has shown me how to balance being a successful businesswoman with being a kind, compassionate and resilient individual. Most importantly, she has demonstrated what it means to be a strong, capable and nurturing mother.
I hope to carry forward her legacy by supporting my daughter’s dreams with the same love and encouragement my mother gave me. My goal is to inspire my daughter with the belief and strength that my mother has always shown me.
Ella Trubacheva
VP, Human Resources
Arctic
My role models have been both personal and professional. On a personal level, my mom, who was a doctor for 40 years, taught me resilience, hard work and dedication by balancing an extremely demanding career with raising a family, overcoming many challenges but always staying positive and kind.
In business, I have been very lucky to work for an incredible CEO, someone who is real, super hardworking, moves fast, leads by example but at the same time is very human and always fair to people. His grit and straightforward style have shown me how powerful it is to lead with both drive and heart.
These role models have shaped how I solve challenges and lead others. I focus on being driven but approachable. pushing to work hard and get results while encouraging the team to take ownership, make the tough calls and embrace change that moves us forward.
Role Model of the Year – Vendor/Distributor
Kim Carlton
Director, US Distribution and Partner Enablement
Intel
I’ve never had just one role model—I’ve drawn inspiration from many. My father, a teacher, modeled patience and the power of small moments. I still remember raking the yard with kid-sized rakes—not because it was efficient, but because he was teaching us the value of effort, inclusion and being present. He showed me that leadership is about purpose and consistency.
My high school volleyball coach pushed me to believe in my potential. With her encouragement, I trained harder and eventually became team MVP and an All-Conference player. It was my first experience with the transformative power of belief and support.
Professionally, I’ve learned from women and men who balance work and life with authenticity, leading with courage and clarity. I also draw inspiration from those I’ve never met—Mother Teresa, whose “Do It Anyway” poem hangs in my office, Helen Keller for her resilience, and Jackie Kennedy for her style and grace under pressure.
Today, I continue to look to role models as I navigate new phases of life. My greatest inspiration now is my three teenage kids—I want to role model that life isn’t just about accomplishments, it’s about character, consistency and heart.
Larissa Crandall
Global VP, Channel, Alliances
1Password
This is a bittersweet answer for me, I would say my former boss [at New Relic] who just passed away recently is my role model. He was our CRO, we didn’t know each other prior to me joining the company. However, we took a chance on each other, so happy I did. Others in the industry knew we were talking about working together, stating it would be a great combination, knowing our backgrounds and the task at hand. Reflecting on this year, I now know why they were saying that as I learned a ton from him in a short time. He was authentic, passionate, driven, tough and one of the best humans I’ve ever met. Sitting in the church at his service, it was packed full of people that he impacted throughout his career and life. I will never forget that day; it’s a testament to his legacy both personally and professionally. We all work hard in our career and do our best to balance our personal lives. What matters most is to be is to be respected for how I impacted others. This I saw first-hand as the role model he was for me.
Nina Harding
Corporate Vice President
Microsoft
My role model has always been my grandmother, Clare Parker, a trailblazer who became the first female attorney in the state of Colorado and a fearless advocate for equality and justice. She led with unwavering grace and strength, hosting gatherings for icons like Althea Gibson and Marian Anderson, at a time when doing so challenged societal norms. Her courage to do what was right, even when it wasn’t easy, inspired me to lead with purpose, compassion, and conviction. She taught me that adversity is not a barrier but a catalyst for growth, and how we rise from challenges defines our legacy. Her life reminds me that leadership is about lifting others, breaking barriers and creating space for every voice to be heard. I carry her spirit of possibility and resilience with me every day, striving to lead in a way that honors her example and empowers others to do the same.
MeiLee Langley
Vice President, Global Indirect Marketing
Nextiva
My role model isn’t one person. It’s every woman who has ever spoken up in a room where she was interrupted, underestimated or overlooked and chose to speak louder anyway. The collective resilience of women in tech, especially those who paved the way before me without fanfare or recognition, has been my greatest source of inspiration.
That said, a person who truly showed me what strength under pressure looked like was my physical therapist after my accident. She wasn’t a corporate executive or a keynote speaker. She was the woman who, day after day, pushed me through unbearable pain, challenged my limits and never accepted my “I can’t.” She believed in my future mobility when doctors didn’t. She taught me to walk again (literally), and more importantly, she taught me how to show up for people with tough love, deep empathy and some humor.
Her belief in me, paired with relentless accountability, shaped the leader I try to be today. I’ve taken that same spirit into the workplace: push people to see what they’re capable of, support them through the hard stuff and never let them forget they can do the impossible, even if it looks different than they imagined.
Brook Lee
VP, Community, Channel
Liongard
Michelle Accardi [CEO of Liongard] is a role model to me because she embodies the kind of leadership our industry needs more of—authentic, bold and relentlessly supportive of other women. As one of only two women CEOs in our space, Michelle doesn’t just hold a rare title; she uses her platform to actively advocate for others, including me. Her belief in my potential and her willingness to speak up for me has been both humbling and empowering.
With decades of experience—including prior CEO roles—and a strong technical background, Michelle brings both depth and credibility to every conversation. But what truly sets her apart is the culture she’s building at Liongard. Her leadership has attracted and elevated a team of brilliant, capable women who are making a tangible impact. She proves that creating space for women in tech isn’t just possible—it’s powerful and transformative.
Michelle is not only paving the way, but she’s also reaching back to bring others with her. Her example motivates me to lead with purpose and to advocate for equity in every room I enter.
Maria Martinez
Head of Strategic National Partners
Check Point
My mother is my role model—an amazing woman who demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience in the face of challenges. Throughout her life, she faced life-threatening illnesses and financial hardship, yet never let adversity define her. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given a fatal prognosis, she defied the odds and lived another 40 years—an extraordinary testament to her willpower.
Despite her own struggles, she gave selflessly to others, volunteering with the cancer society and offering support to those in need, even when she was unwell. Her courage and generosity left a lasting impact on everyone around her.
What inspires me most is her ability not only to endure but to uplift. In my toughest moments, she encouraged me to persevere, reminding me that no challenge is insurmountable. Her life taught me the value of hope, compassion and determination.
She inspired me to dream big and reach for the stars, no matter how distant they seemed. Her legacy is a powerful reminder that true greatness is born from courage and kindness. Because of her, I strive to be resilient, driven and compassionate.
She is, and always will be, my greatest inspiration.
Hope McCluskey
Director, Channel Marketing, Events
ESET North America
I’ve been fortunate to have many role models throughout my life, and I find it difficult to narrow it down to just one. I’ve always sought out informal mentorships—people whose strengths I admire and whose qualities I want to embody, especially when facing specific challenges. Early in my career, I worked for a small company where the president became a pivotal influence. He was genuinely curious and consistently asked for my input. Coming from a leader, that kind of validation was incredibly empowering. Over time, I stopped waiting to be asked and began sharing my ideas confidently. That experience taught me the value of being heard and the importance of creating space for others to contribute.
More recently, I’ve been inspired by one of our vice presidents, whose ability to remain calm and composed in every situation is something I deeply admire. I’ve started a dialogue with her to better understand how I can bring that same poise into my own leadership—especially in high-pressure meetings where my passion can sometimes take over. Each of these role models has helped shape the leader I am today, and I continue to learn from the people around me every day.
Tracey Mead
VP, Alliances, Channels
Contrast Security
My grandmother and John Delk (Retired Sr. Executive, Micro Focus) have both had a lasting impact on me.
John was a leader with whom I worked for over 10 years, spanning three major acquisitions at Novell, Attachmate Group and Micro Focus. He led with calm, steady integrity and consistently supported women in leadership. In one particularly complex situation, his belief in my abilities and his visible support helped me stay the course and grow as a leader. He always led by example and taught me the importance of authenticity, pragmatism and being present for others.
My grandmother was a quiet source of strength. She lived through wars and massive societal change, and she was always the person others turned to for perspective. She listened carefully, offered thoughtful advice, and ensured the women in our family understood their worth. Her strength and care shaped the way I show up for others today.
Cheryl Rang
VP, Technology Solutions
Ingram Micro
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, authored a book called “Lean In,” in which she addresses many of the challenges I’ve experienced in my career—from self-doubt, internal and external barriers, and fears that hold women back. In her book, Sheryl encourages women to “lean in” by taking risks and seeking leadership roles.
I took the messages Sheryl shared to heart, and I’ve worked hard to continually advocate internally for my own career goals. That has opened new opportunities for me to grow, learn and lead. As I have done this, I have seen many women that I mentor say that the career moves I’ve made have given them the confidence boost they needed to pursue their own goals as well. That has been profoundly satisfying and has also motivated me to continue this forward momentum and to encourage other women to “lean in” and fearlessly pursue their own goals.
Patty Know
Sr. Director, NA Channel Program, Operations
Dell Technologies
One of my most influential role models is a former executive leader I worked with early in my career. She was a trailblazer within the broader EMC channel ecosystem: strategic, composed and always authentic. What inspired me most was her ability to lead with both strength and empathy. She navigated complex business challenges with clarity and confidence, while always making time to mentor and uplift others. Watching her in action taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but rather it’s about listening, empowering others and staying true to your values. Her example shaped how I approach my own leadership style: collaborative, thoughtful and focused on impact. She showed me that women can lead boldly in this industry and that success is even more meaningful when you bring others along with you.
Queen Vignone
VP, Mid-Market Sales
Sophos
Choosing one role model is difficult because I’ve been blessed with many influential men and women throughout my career. However, my greatest inspiration remains my mother, who passed away at a young age but continues to guide my leadership every day. My mother taught me that true strength isn’t about being the loudest voice; it’s about being prepared, authentic, hardworking and compassionate. She showed me how to balance ambition with humility, lift others while climbing your own ladder and fight through challenges without compromising your values. She invested in relationships and believed in people’s potential before they believed in themselves. These lessons became the foundation of my leadership philosophy, where I focus on developing talent and building genuine trust with partners and my team. Throughout my career, other remarkable women and men, colleagues, mentors and industry leaders have added layers to this foundation. Each brought unique perspectives on navigating leadership and creating opportunities for others. But it’s my mother’s voice I hear when making difficult decisions, her values that guide how I mentor other women and my daughter, and her example that reminds me leadership is ultimately about serving others and leaving a lasting positive impact.
Kaitlin Waite
Director, Global Partner Marketing
Expel
While my mother and sister are my bedrock inspirations, I’ve also benefited from incredible professional role models. My mother’s relentless dedication as the sole provider for our family instilled in me an unwavering drive. Witnessing her tenacity, I knew I had to seize every opportunity. My sister, much older and already in college when I was young, served as my early mentor in financial literacy and workplace professionalism. She guided me through navigating life’s practicalities and establishing myself as a professional. These early influences shaped my character and approach to life. Beyond them, I encountered mentors in marketing and IT who broadened my industry knowledge. However, my family remains my core, the constant source of strength and inspiration, reminding me of where I come from and why I push forward.