From AI To Training: What Five Solution Provider CEOs Are Prioritizing In 2026

‘In 2026, we are investing heavily in AI, automation and scalable solution accelerators built on Microsoft Copilot, Azure and Microsoft 365,’ says Syreeta Johnson, founder and CEO of Redd Solutions.

Looking ahead in 2026, many solution providers say technology investment is no longer about experimentation but execution at scale. From AI-native delivery models to platform-led operations and visibility-driven infrastructure, CEOs are sharpening their focus on turning innovation into outcomes for customers.

For Syreeta Johnson, founder and CEO of Redd Solutions, the priority is accelerating value through repeatability and governance.

“In 2026, we are investing heavily in AI, automation and scalable solution accelerators built on Microsoft Copilot, Azure and Microsoft 365,” Johnson said in written responses as part of CRN’s 2026 CEO Outlook.

At SoftwareOne, co-CEO Melissa Mulholland sees scale and discipline as inseparable from innovation. The company’s 2026 roadmap centers on platform-led growth, operational efficiency and AI-enabled execution.

“We will continue to invest in optimizing our core platforms with a strong emphasis on deploying AI-driven agents to improve decision-making and productivity gains across businesses,” Mulholland said. “Together, these investments ensure we are not only driving innovation, but also embedding financial discipline and operational excellence at scale.”

Other CEOs are prioritizing investments that improve visibility and reduce friction. Nucleus Networks is focusing on AI-enabled automation, better data integration and collaboration tools, where Caylent is investing in agentic platforms.

Together, these CEOs paint a picture of a channel entering 2026 focusing on AI that executes, platforms that scale, visibility that informs and investments that elevate both people and performance.

Here’s what five different solution provider CEOs are betting on in 2026 in their own words as part of CRN’s 2026 CEO Outlook project.

Syreeta Johnson

Founder and CEO, Redd Solutions

Greenbelt, Maryland

In 2026, we are investing heavily in AI, automation, and scalable solution accelerators built on Microsoft Copilot, Azure and Microsoft 365. This includes expanding our internal AI capabilities, strengthening cybersecurity and governance frameworks, and productizing repeatable solutions such as workflow automation, data analytics, and operational dashboards to deliver faster time to value for clients.

Melissa Mulholland

Co-CEO, SoftwareOne

Stans, Switzerland

Our key technology investments in 2026 will focus on platform-led scale, operational efficiency, and AI-enabled execution. We will continue to invest in optimizing our core platforms with a strong emphasis on deploying AI-driven agents to improve decision-making and productivity gains across businesses. We will also invest in integrating AI capabilities across our FinOps offerings, combining automation, analytics, and governance to help customers and partners better manage cloud and AI spend. Together, these investments ensure we are not only driving innovation, but also embedding financial discipline and operational excellence at scale. These investments will be supported by continued enhancements to our cloud infrastructure to ensure scale, reliability, and performance.

Maryann Pagano

CEO, BlackHawk Data

New York

One of our greatest strengths has always been designing and building innovative, scalable, and resilient network infrastructures. As we look ahead to FY26, we’ve continued to invest where it matters most. We have expanded our digital experience platform to help clients gain clear visibility into their technology assets from hardware and licensing to usage and lifecycle. This allows organizations to stay proactive, informed, and ahead of change, rather than reacting to it. Strong infrastructure paired with insight is how we help our clients move forward with confidence.

Jennifer Roy

CEO, Nucleus Networks

Vancouver, British Columbia

In 2026, our technology investments will focus on tools that improve visibility, streamline workflows, and remove unnecessary friction from day-to-day work. This includes greater use of AI-enabled automation, better data integration across systems, and platforms that support collaboration and accountability. Alongside these investments, we are also prioritizing training and development to ensure our team has the skills and confidence to use these tools effectively. Our philosophy is very intentional. We invest in technology that simplifies work and supports people, paired with the learning and enablement required to drive real impact. The goal is to create an environment where teams can focus on high value work rather than navigating processes.

Lori Williams

CEO, Caylent

Irvine, Calif.

In 2026, our key investments focus on agentic delivery platforms and AI native intellectual property, including Caylent Accelerate and our Agentified Managed Services offerings. These systems allow AI agents to assess complex environments, surface risks, and execute tasks within defined governance. What differentiates this approach is the ability to layer in bespoke guidance based on a deep understanding of each customer's business, systems, and operating context. That institutional knowledge does not exist in AI models by default. By codifying that knowledge and embedding it directly into our systems, we ensure agents act with relevance and intent, not just intelligence. This allows humans to focus on judgment and strategy while agents handle execution with speed, consistency, and predictability.