The List Recognizes Individuals Working to
Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Technology Channels

Nancy Ridge is among the honorees on the 2022 Channel Futures DE&I 101 list. The list recognizes individuals from a wide spectrum of multicultural backgrounds who are driving diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in technology channels through their words, actions and leadership.

“Today, women-owned businesses need our support now more than ever and Ridge Innovative is no exception. It has long been my personal mission to bring awareness to the importance of closing the leadership, revenue, and employment gap. Yet unified action by everyone towards living out that commitment will not only help to fuel economic growth and recovery, but also will empower women as leaders and bring about a more diverse, balanced and sustainable economy.”

The Channel Futures DE&I 101 is a list of the most prominent individuals in the technology channel who are focused on improving their organization’s performance and innovation by having the most diverse, equitable and inclusive teams and workplaces. The Channel Futures DE&I 101 members are those who are breaking new ground by showing the technology industry and entire business community that sound DE&I strategies can impact business outcomes.

The need for DE&I has been acknowledged in the information and communications industries for many years. But while any number of tech organizations have received attention for the DE&I programs they’ve launched, it’s the people at the grassroots level who get things started and keep the momentum going. As a result, the Channel Futures DE&I 101 recognizes senior, mid-level and future leaders so the entire channel can learn from their success.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are vital for the future of all business, not just the channel,” said Kelly Danziger, vice president and general manager, Informa Tech Channels. “But despite its importance, most DE&I work goes on behind the scenes. This list not only recognizes those dedicated individuals who are working to promote DE&I in the channel but reiterates the importance of this work as well.”

Nominations for the DE&I 101 list were solicited on the Channel Futures website and through social media. Between April 28 and June 27, individuals could nominate themselves or others for the list. Applications were open to managers, leaders and individual contributors. All submissions were thoroughly reviewed by members of the Channel Futures editorial team and our advisory board members.

“When Channel Futures inaugurated the DE&I 101 list last year, we wanted to help elevate those who were having a profound impact on their organizations, those who were develop sound DE&I strategies and leaders who were vocal about making change,” said Robert DeMarzo, vice president of content, Informa Tech Channels. “The response by the entire channel has been incredible. We’re providing a forum where members of the technology and communications channels can exchange ideas, educate themselves and reach out to help others. We welcome all voices.”

About Ridge Innovative

Ridge Innovative is a professional consultancy firm specializing in two primary areas: technology and channel ecosystem.

Our technology consulting group helps companies use technology to achieve business outcomes. Starting with a foundation of collaboration, we work with customer stakeholders and key partners to create the appropriate business outcome success strategy. We source the right solutions and providers from over 150 companies across the spectrum of software, cloud, security, connectivity, voice and managed services. Using the latest tools, analyses are performed to pinpoint specific areas where cost optimization can be implemented and systems put in place to deliver performance, visibility and processes that provide compliance and governance.

Ridge Innovative provides consulting services that deliver channel ecosystem strategies & frameworks through its proven 6 step process including leadership coaching, automated enablement, effective partner recruitment & on-boarding, and on-going engagement. We work with emerging and essential tech companies to increase influence and revenue through strong partner programs that recognize the essential role partners play in customer experience.

About Channel Futures

 Channel Futures is a media and events destination for the information and communication technologies (ICT) channel community. We provide information, perspective and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including solution providers (SPs), managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), cloud service providers (CSPs), value-added resellers (VARs) and distributors, technology solutions brokerages, subagents and agents, as well as leading technology vendor partners and communication providers.

Our properties include many awards programs such as the Channel Futures MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry; Channel Partners events, which delivers unparalleled in-person events including Channel Partners Conference & Expo, Channel Partners Leadership Summit, Women’s Leadership Summit, the MSP Summit, and Channel Partners Europe; and a DEI Community Group, our initiative to educate, support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the ICT channel industry. Channel Futures is where the world meets the channel; we are leading Channel Partners forward. More information is available at channelfutures.com.

Channel Futures is part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in ICT sector. Every year, we welcome 14,000+ subscribers to our research, more than 4 million unique monthly visitors to our digital communities, 18,200+ students to our training programs and 225,000 delegates to our events.]

“…unified action by everyone towards living out that commitment will not only help to fuel economic growth and recovery, but also will empower women as leaders and bring about a more diverse, balanced and sustainable economy.”