Cato Networks Appoints Karl Soderlund as Global Channel Chief to Boost SASE Market Growth

Cato Networks Strengthens Leadership with New Global Channel Chief

Cato Networks, a recognized leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions, announced the appointment of Karl Soderlund as its new Global Channel Chief on February 4, 2025. This strategic move is aimed at accelerating the company's channel growth and enhancing its presence in the competitive SASE market.

Soderlund comes with an illustrious background boasting over three decades in the cybersecurity and network industry. His extensive experience is expected to be pivotal for Cato as it aims to expand its global partner programs. Prior to his role at Cato, Soderlund served as the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Partner and Alliances Sales at Zscaler, where he was responsible for revitalizing their partner go-to-market strategies. His prior tenure at Palo Alto Networks saw an impressive partner-led sales growth of 400%, a testament to his skill in driving significant channel sales.

In his new position at Cato Networks, Soderlund will oversee the global channel team, taking charge of the strategic direction and operational excellence of the partner ecosystem. With his proven record of enhancing sales programs and fostering partner success, he is anticipated to usher in a new phase of growth for the company.

Nick Fan, Cato Networks' Vice President of Global Sales, expressed his enthusiasm for Soderlund's appointment, stating, "We welcome Karl as our new global channel chief at Cato Networks. His extensive experience and proven track record in driving and expanding global partner programs will be invaluable as we continue to scale as a company."

The announcement comes alongside the retirement of Frank Rauch, who has been a towering figure in the company with a career spanning over 40 years. His departure marks a significant transition for Cato Networks, which has benefited greatly from his leadership in driving channel growth. Fan added, "On behalf of Cato, I want to thank Frank for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication in driving our channel growth. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement."

Additionally, Cato Networks has promoted Addie Finch to Vice President of Channels, Americas. Finch's previous role as Area Vice President for VARs and strategic partners has equipped her with the necessary insights and capabilities to succeed in her new position. Fan highlighted her exceptional leadership as critical to Cato's success in the Americas region, reinforcing the company's commitment to nurturing talent from within its ranks.

Karl Soderlund expressed his excitement about joining Cato Networks at such a dynamic time. He remarked, "It's an exciting time to join Cato, which is the category creator and leader of SASE. Cato's commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with my vision for transforming the partner ecosystem. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at Cato and our partners worldwide to drive channel growth, as well as deliver exceptional value to our partners and customers."

The appointment of Soderlund is aligned with Cato Networks’ goal to bolster its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving SASE landscape. As businesses increasingly seek integrated solutions combining networking and security, Cato's strategic focus under new leadership is set to provide enhanced service delivery to its growing customer base. With an open and modular SASE architecture that replaces costly legacy systems, Cato aims to lead enterprises into a secure future leveraging cloud technology.

For more information on how Cato Networks is reshaping the SASE landscape, visit their website Cato Networks.