#USA #Orange #Alliance of Channel Women #Mel Kolinski #Staci Corbett

Alliance of Channel Women Unveils Board of Directors for 2026-27 Term

The Alliance of Channel Women (ACW), recognized for its commitment to promoting women in leadership roles within the technology sector, has appointed its Board of Directors for the 2026-27 term. This announcement, made on December 29, 2025, sees experienced professionals step into leadership roles as the organization continues its mission to nurture female talent in the indirect channel of telecommunications and IT industries.

Leadership Updates

Leading the board as President is Mel Kolinski, who serves as the Senior Director of Sales Partnerships at Ostra Cybersecurity. Kolinski, who joined ACW’s board in 2025, previously held several roles including Chair of ACW’s Local Chapters Committee and Co-Chair of the Events Committee. Her extensive experience in the channel positions her to effectively drive the organization’s objectives.

Staci Corbett, the newly appointed Vice President, is the Director of Channel Marketing at Fusion Connect. Corbett has been instrumental in ACW’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all members.

Continuing as Secretary is Sommer Figone, Director of Field Enablement at RapidScale, who has previously championed ACW’s events.

The Treasurer position is yet to be announced, with anticipation build around who will manage the organization’s financial strategies.

New Members and Returning Veterans

The newly constituted board includes a distinguished group of professionals recognized for their contributions to the industry:

• - Laura Gibbs, a Channel Sales and Marketing guru who co-chairs ACW's Mentoring Committee.
• - Shannon Orr, a seasoned leader at AVANT as Senior Director of National Strategic Partners and the Moderator of the Chicago Local Chapter.
• - Meg Thompson, Strategic Architecture Manager at CCI Systems, who heads the Events Committee and participates in the Mentoring Committee.
• - Jen Waltz, Chief Information Security Officer at IMAJENATIVE, contributing her expertise to the Membership Committee.

Returnees to the board have significant experience and history with ACW:

• - Madison Beedy, Director of Channel Sales at EarthLink, leads the Sponsorship Committee.
• - Tracy Hali brings executive insights from her role in People, Partner, and Customer Success.
• - Holly B. Hunt, a key player from CyberMaxx overseeing Channel Program Management, and
• - Jackie Steinberg, Channel Chief at DartPoints, Co-Chair of the Awards Committee, are also back on board to continue their impactful work.

Looking Forward

In light of this new leadership, Kolinski expressed her excitement, noting that the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the board members will propel ACW’s mission forward. “This board represents the strength, diversity, and momentum of the ACW community,” Kolinski stated. “Each of these leaders brings a deep commitment to advancing women in the channel, and I'm excited to work together as we build on ACW's legacy and continue expanding our impact.”

The outgoing board members were recognized for their invaluable contributions. Notably, Mayka Rosales-Peterson, the past President, and Akilah Murrell, the former Vice President, have left an enduring legacy within the organization. Their leadership over the past years has been instrumental in shaping ACW’s current identity and strategic direction.

Commitment to Growth

The Alliance of Channel Women stands firm on its principle of rotating leadership to foster innovation and inclusivity within its ranks. This ensures that as many members as possible can contribute their expertise and perspectives in guiding the organization’s future.

To find out more about ACW’s initiatives or to learn how to become involved, visit their official website at www.allianceofchannelwomen.org. Celebrate the growth of women in technology!

ACW is anticipating an inspiring year ahead under this new board as they continue to prioritize empowering the next generation of female leaders in the technology channel.