Cisco Canada Channel Chief Bumped Up To Global Role

Donna Wittmann, vice president of Cisco's Canadian Partner Organization, is moving on to a global position with Cisco's WWPO with the title of "leader of Worldwide Partner Led Named," according to a Tuesday blog post by Cisco Canada president Nitin Kawale.

Wittmann will report to Andrew Sage, recently named vice president, worldwide partner-led at Cisco, and focus on strategies, tools and programs that support "collaborative selling," according to Kawale.

Before coming to Cisco in 2009, Wittmann was previously vice president of Software Solutions for Dell Americas.

Sage, who reports to Cisco WWPO Senior Vice President Keith Goodwin, is now in charge of "partner-led," a sales strategy Cisco is pushing that means a greater emphasis by Cisco on sales through channel partners in all but Cisco's most strategic accounts. Cisco solution providers have said the strategy could use some clarity, and Sage and his team plan to provide details around partner-led in early September, according to Cisco sources.

Stepping into Wittmann's role in Canada will be Mike Ansley, currently vice president of solutions sales for Cisco Canada. Ansley rejoined Cisco in 2010 after a six-year absence, and before that held various Cisco management positions from 1995 to 2004.

Cisco will announce Ansley's replacement at a later date, Kawale said.

Cisco's global corporate restructuring has meant a number of changes specific to its channel organization, with both a number of Cisco executive departures and some new roles for Cisco channel veterans. In addition to Sage's promotion, Cisco recently named Amanda Jobbins vice president, worldwide partner marketing.