9 Women Of The Year CEO Finalists On Finding Inspiration And Fostering Innovation
As CRN prepares to hand out its third annual Women of the Year Awards, we share what our finalists for CEO of the Year say inspires them and how they inspire innovation within their organizations.
With the 2025 CRN Women of the Year Gala right around the corner, we’re spotlighting the nine finalists in the CEO of the Year category, which celebrates women who have reached the top of their game, demonstrating exceptional vision, innovation and impact as a CEO. Each finalist shared in her awards application where she finds inspiration and how she inspires innovation throughout her company.
The gala will honor the winners of the third-annual CRN Women of the Year Awards—spanning 15 individual categories and three company categories—aiming to illuminate women who have made significant contributions to the channel throughout 2025 and the companies that support them.
The finalists were revealed on Sept. 22, and the winners will be disclosed live at the gala on Dec. 9 in New York City (tickets are available here).
Read on for a look what makes these leaders tick and how they foster innovation in others.
More from this series:
Michelle Accardi
Liongard
Michelle is most inspired by the opportunity to lead with empathy and drive meaningful change in the industry, in her team, and in the lives of the partners Liongard serves. Her passion lies in building inclusive cultures where people feel seen, supported and empowered to succeed. She finds energy in helping partners win business, reduce risk and grow more confidently. But it’s the personal moments, the team member who gets to pick up their child from school because of flexible work, or the partner who tells her they feel truly heard, that motivate her the most. She leads with both heart and hustle.
Brittany Fugate
Cenetric Network Services
What inspires me most in my current role is the opportunity to create meaningful transformation—both in the lives of our clients and the people I lead. I’m motivated every day by the ability to take complex problems and turn them into clear, empowering solutions that fuel growth, reduce risk and unlock opportunity for businesses that often don’t get world-class IT support.
But the most rewarding part of my role is building up people. Watching a team member step into their voice, take ownership of a solution or lead a project they once thought was beyond their reach—that’s where the real impact happens. I’ve worked hard to build a culture at Cenetric where people feel safe to grow, supported to lead and energized by the mission we share.
I’m also deeply inspired by the clients we serve—especially nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations—whose missions extend far beyond the bottom line. Helping them leverage technology to do more good in the world is both a responsibility and a privilege.
At the end of the day, I’m inspired by what’s possible when trust, innovation and purpose come together. That’s the heart of what I do, and why I love doing it.
Malinda Gagnon
Uprise Partners
At Uprise, I focus on mentorship at every level by cultivating a culture of openness, accessibility and support for bold thinking. Through a genuine open-door policy, employees are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas directly, knowing they will be heard regardless of their level in the organization. Innovation thrives because suggestions are not only welcomed but actively solicited across departments. I hold regular skip-level “walk and talks” with the Uprise team to hear about how they’re doing and what suggestions they have. Whether it's a junior engineer proposing a new marketing idea, or a business development rep suggesting service improvements, I listen with intent and respond constructively. This approach empowers people to think creatively and contribute meaningfully, knowing that their input has the potential to drive real change.
Melissa Mulholland
Crayon
Melissa believes that innovation is rooted in people. When employees feel valued, connected and confident, they bring forward the ideas that drive real change. Under her leadership, Crayon launched the Global Empowerment Program, designed to cultivate future leaders across the company. This year, 23 Crayonites participated in both virtual and onsite sessions to strengthen their skills, build confidence, expand their networks and develop a deeper understanding of the business. As Melissa shared, “I am so proud of this program because of its ability to foster collaboration, continuous learning and personal growth, which are essential for our collective success.”
Complementing this, Melissa launched Crayon’s Global Value Awards to recognize employees who exemplify the company’s values while driving meaningful contributions. She also added a dedicated DEIB leader to ensure Crayon fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed, empowered and encouraged to speak up. That sense of belonging is core to Crayon’s culture and key to unlocking the innovation that ultimately drives the company forward.
Susan Odle
StorMagic
Innovation happens when the team feels safe to explore new ideas and challenge current thinking. As CEO, I set the tone for all employees, and I lead with transparency internally and externally. I encourage everyone to operate in a company-wide “safe-space,” so there is no fear of voicing risk and opportunities. There are no sacred cows.
I say often that StorMagic is a flat organization; some hold more accountability than others, but we are one team.
These principles have been core to my leadership for many years, and it is rewarding to witness the team embracing them and thriving together. Our productivity has soared and will continue to grow.
Maryann Pagano
BlackHawk Data
If someone tells you they, have it all figured out, they’re not being honest with themselves. As a CEO, I believe fostering innovation means creating a culture where creativity, experimentation and bold thinking are not just welcomed but expected.
One of the most important ways I do this is by setting the tone from the top. Innovation must remain central to the company’s vision. To grow, we must continuously generate new ideas, introduce new offerings and realign internally to meet evolving needs.
It’s also my responsibility to create a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas—without fear of failure. Not every idea will succeed, but failure often leads to the breakthroughs that do.
Cross-functional collaboration is key. I encourage our teams to work together across departments, forming task forces to tackle challenges directly. Staying close to our customers and vendor partners is equally vital; listening to feedback and acting on it is how we improve.
Above all, I lead by example. That’s true in every role I’ve held. Transparency, integrity and consistency are the cornerstones of strong leadership. When your team sees that in action, it becomes part of the culture—and that’s where innovation thrives.
Jennifer Roy
Nucleus
At Nucleus, innovation isn’t just a goal—it’s a mindset woven into our daily operations and culture. I believe innovation thrives in environments where people feel empowered, safe to experiment and inspired to challenge the status quo. That’s why one of my key leadership focuses has been building a culture of trust, curiosity and continuous improvement.
To foster innovation, we’ve implemented quarterly innovation sprints, where cross-functional teams collaborate to identify pain points, pitch new ideas and develop pilot programs. These sprints have led to service delivery enhancements, automation improvements and creative client solutions—all originated by the team.
I also prioritize bottom-up innovation by encouraging feedback loops from frontline employees and technicians who often have the best insight into client challenges. Through internal platforms and monthly town halls, we collect ideas, celebrate contributions and build momentum for experimentation.
Another major driver of innovation has been partner collaboration. I actively participate on advisory boards—including ScalePad, D&H Canada and GTIA (Global Technology Industry Association)—which allows us to stay ahead of emerging trends and bring fresh, relevant thinking back into the organization. This external perspective, paired with internal empowerment, keeps us agile and future-focused.
Finally, I believe mentorship is a powerful catalyst for innovation. By investing in personal and professional development across all levels of our company—especially for women in tech—we’re nurturing a pipeline of confident, capable leaders who think boldly and act decisively.
Innovation at Nucleus isn’t limited to technology. It’s about evolving how we work, how we lead, and how we serve. And as CEO, my role is to create the space, system, and support that allow great ideas to grow.
Sonali Shah
Cobalt
The most motivating aspect of my role is the opportunity to drive meaningful change—from transforming how organizations approach offensive security to mentoring emerging leaders who will shape the future of tech. At Cobalt, I’m energized by the challenge of bringing speed and scale to security without sacrificing depth or trust. I’m inspired daily by the people I work with: our talented team, our forward-thinking customers, and our partners who believe in what we’re building.
But what fuels me most is the ability to lead a company that puts people first. I find deep purpose in creating an environment where diverse perspectives thrive, where innovation is rewarded and where individuals are empowered to take risks and grow. Whether it’s helping a customer prevent a breach or mentoring a team member into their next leadership role, I see every action as part of a larger mission to make security more inclusive, more effective and more human. That’s what keeps me going—and what I hope to model for the next generation of leaders.
Amy Williams
PIER Group
The most motivating and inspirational part of Amy's current role as CEO of PIER Group is the ability to empower people and drive meaningful change. Amy finds great fulfillment in fostering a team-oriented culture where everyone is encouraged to contribute their ideas, grow in their roles and thrive together. Seeing individuals grow into leaders within the company is a constant source of inspiration.
Additionally, the recognition of PIER Group’s continued growth and success—such as being named to prestigious lists like CRN’s Tech Elite 250—serves as a constant reminder of the positive impact the company is making. For Amy, it’s about building something that truly matters, empowering others along the way and being part of a collective effort that continues to make a difference.