The Most Powerful Women Of The Channel 2007

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Although they come from all different corners of the channel community -- from vendors to distributors to resellers and systems integrators -- the 2007 50 Most Powerful Women of the Channel have one thing in common: They're all leading innovators driving growth in the channel.

(For more, see our Women In The Channel home page.)

In the past year, Ashkin has helped CXtec double its voice and IP-telephony business and launch a $2 million technology exploration and conference center, where the VAR can showcase and demonstrate its products in a lab setting. Ashkin also participates in Cisco's Partner Executive Exchange group to help improve the vendor's channel programs and strategies.

In the past year, Bahr implemented a new coverage model to support partners based on both their business plan models and experience selling Cisco's advanced technologies. This year, Bahr will focus on providing partners support and education on managed services, software-as-a-service and customized service solutions. Bahr is also a coach and mentor for the Cisco Women Unlimited Program.

As CEO of Inacom Information Systems, Benson has helped the business grow into a $65 million solution provider. She's also tapping her experience growing businesses to build out the "Make Mine a Million $ Business Program," an initiative that provides financing, mentoring, marketing and technologies to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Blackmer gained her reputation as a channel champ through 18 years of hard work at Hewlett-Packard, where she ran the company's Imaging and Printing Group channel. Now, as senior vice president of sales at OnForce, she's helping to turn OnForce into an industry force.

Responsible for $43 million in revenue and a staff of 300, Blackwell oversees the daily operations and leadership of this IT consulting firm. She's driven growth strategies to reposition sales and consulting pursuits to higher-margin opportunities. She also increased focus on commercial business, which led to services in financial, insurance and health care.