IWD 2025: A Call to Channel Women: It's Time to Lead and Lift Other Women

Every International Women's Day, we celebrate the progress women have made in leadership. But real leadership isn't just about personal success; it's about ensuring more women follow in our footsteps, especially in technology channel ecosystems where women remain significantly underrepresented.

That's why mentorship matters. But mentorship isn't a one-way street. Women leaders have a responsibility to help the next generation, but the next generation of women has a responsibility, too. Leadership isn't something you wait for; it's something you step into. Often, that means moving forward before you feel fully ready, a challenge particularly relevant in the fast-evolving technology channel where product knowledge and technical expertise are continuously evolving.

Lifting as We Climb: The Role of Women in Technology Channel Leadership

One of the most important responsibilities for women leaders in technology channels is developing the next generation of female talent. That's not just a nice-to-have; it's a business imperative. An organization's success in the channel depends on the strength and diversity of its people.

By actively mentoring, you ensure that the next generation of women in channel leadership is prepared, confident and equipped to take on bigger roles in an industry where women remain underrepresented. Often, that preparation comes from experience, not instruction. The most valuable mentorship happens when women are given opportunities to step up and lead.

I've seen women channel professionals I've mentored get promotions, leave their companies and even start successful technology businesses. That's the kind of impact women channel leaders should strive for—helping other women build careers, businesses and legacies of their own. When channel women lift others as they climb, the entire technology ecosystem benefits.

Figure It Out: The Responsibility of the Next Generation of Women in Tech

At the same time, emerging leaders must take ownership of their own growth. Leadership isn't handed to you; it's something you must step up and claim, particularly in technology channels where change is constant and tomorrow's opportunities may not resemble today's.

One of the biggest challenges I see, particularly among women in technology, is hesitation—waiting until they feel 100 percent ready before taking the next step. But here's the reality: you will never feel fully prepared. No leader has all the answers before they step into a role. The key is figuring it out as you go. This is especially true for the tech channel, which is constantly evolving. You've got to figure out how to adapt to what's happening and what's next.

The most successful technology leaders aren't the ones who always knew the plan; they're the ones who are willing to take the leap, make the decisions and learn as they go. That's why I'll rarely say no to anything. I'll say yes and then figure out how to do it. That's what it takes to adapt. It's what allows businesses to innovate and leaders to grow. And it's a mindset that more women in the technology channel need to embrace.

Organizations in the technology ecosystem play a crucial role in making this "figure it out" approach possible for women. Creating environments where women can take leadership risks requires psychological safety, equitable evaluation processes and cultures that recognize that failure is often a stepping stone to innovation, not a career-ending mistake.

Build, Mentor and Step Up in Technology Channels

This International Women's Day let's move beyond celebration and into action. Let's commit to mentoring, developing and advocating for the next generation of women leaders in technology while also challenging them to take ownership of their path through the channel ecosystem.

If you're an experienced channel leader, ask yourself:

• Who can I lift up?
• Who in my organization is ready for more responsibility even if they don't realize it yet?
• What opportunities can I create for the next generation of leaders?

And if you're an emerging channel leader, ask yourself:

• What's stopping me from stepping up?
• Am I holding myself back because I don't feel "ready"?
• Am I waiting for permission, or am I choosing to figure it out?

The future of women in technology channel leadership depends on action from both sides—experienced leaders willing to mentor and advocate and emerging leaders eager to take risks and grow into leadership roles.

The most powerful way to honor International Women's Day isn't just to celebrate how far we've come but also to actively participate in creating an even better future for women in the channel.