Be Intentional With Leadership: A Conversation With Mayka Rosales Peterson
Inclusive leadership is more than a mission statement. It requires intentionally leading in ways that shape the future of the channel with equity.
CRN recently published its third annual inclusive leaders list, yet when we discuss inclusive leadership, it can be tempting to relegate the concept to policy documents and box-checking diversity efforts. What is clear from this year’s list of leaders is that true leadership requires intentionality. In this bonus episode of The Channel Angle, host and columnist Cass Cooper sat down with Mayka Rosales Peterson, VP of marketing at Lava Technology Services to talk about what it means to lead inclusively. And what it means to do it with purpose.
Watch the full bonus episode of “The Channel Angle” to hear more from Mayka Rosales Peterson on how she’s shaping the channel with purpose and passion.
Rosales Peterson doesn’t just believe in diversity. She builds for it. Every panel she curates, every marketing strategy she leads, and every door she opens is done with one word in mind: intentionality.
“Inclusive leadership is an active commitment,” she said in an interview. “It’s challenging the status quo, amplifying underrepresented voices, and breaking down barriers that limit potential.”
A Seat At The Table And A Voice That’s Heard
Rosales Peterson’s leadership style is deeply shaped by her lived experiences. The daughter of Panamanian immigrants and a Brooklyn native, she knows firsthand what it means to navigate structures not designed with you in mind. That is what makes her hugely passionate about ensuring her team has not just a seat at the table but a real voice in the room.
“I’m very intentional in my day-to-day leadership. My team knows their voice matters. I want their contributions to be seen and heard.”
Whether it’s opening her network to help her team grow or advocating for new voices on a conference stage, Rosales Peterson embodies the ethos that leadership is a practice—not a title.
What’s The Status Quo…And Who Is It Serving?
We unpacked the silent expectations that persist in corporate environments—rooms still dominated by the same faces, while others remain systematically underrepresented.
“For a long time, conversations about equity were carried solely by Black and brown people,” Rosales Peterson noted. “It’s exhausting. But now, I see men and non-POC stepping in too, and that gives me hope.”
Progress, she says, will require everyone to speak up—not just those who are directly impacted.
When Diversity Gets Politicized
We couldn’t ignore the growing resistance to DEI initiatives across the business world. But Rosales Peterson’s advice for those trying to maintain momentum is simple: Be intentional where you are.
“Even if you’re not in leadership, you can make a difference. Say someone’s name in a meeting. Suggest a woman or person of color for a panel. Use your seat to make space for others.”
It’s not about checking boxes—it’s about shifting power. And that shift starts with individual choices, repeated with consistency.
Burnout, Boundaries, And The Rest We Deserve
Before we wrapped, Rosales Peterson shared one last truth that too often goes unsaid: Take your time off.
“Burnout is real. I’m headed to Jamaica tomorrow—and I haven’t had a vacation in two years.”
This reminder felt especially timely: inclusive leadership isn’t sustainable if we don’t practice care—for ourselves and our communities.
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