Cisco Systems this week announced a big promotion: Rhonda Henley, Cisco’s global partner and routes to market sales organization for the last three years, was crowned vice president of Cisco’s Americas Partner Organization (APO).

Henley, a Cisco veteran of more than two decades, is coming into the role armed with years of channel experience. She’s also no stranger to the APO and she’s ready to return to help partners of all kinds – not just the traditional Cisco reseller — drive their own businesses alongside Cisco as the tech giant continues its transformation in favor of software, managed services, and everything as a service.

That’s not all. In addition to Henley’s “day job” as a channel leader she’s also passionate about social justice. She currently sits on Cisco’s Social Justice Council for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She’s also very interested in the investments Cisco has made in growing with African American-led channel partners who are building out Cisco practices — causes that she’ll continue to champion, she said. It’s one of the many ways that Cisco employees can help their communities and build towards the tech giant’s goal for an inclusive future for all.

Henley shared her priorities and plans for her new role leading Cisco’s APO with CRN. Here are excerpts from the conversation with Henley.