Alliance of Channel Women - Michigan Chapter

ACW Michigan Takes on Channel Partners in Vegas! ??? This week, some of the amazing ladies from ACW Michigan attended the Channel Partners Expo in Las Vegas - and what a week it was! The highlight was ACW Connect Live! where ACW members and supporters from all over came together to celebrate our incredible organization & mission. While we love connecting at home in Michigan, there’s something extra special about reuniting with local chapter members at a national conference. We had an incredible time hearing inspiring keynotes, winning awards, and even celebrating a birthday! Vegas was a win all around, and we’re so thankful for our members and supporters who make these moments possible. Check out some of the highlights from our ACW MI members and their companies below! ?? Melinda Ann O'Neill - ACW INSPIRE Award ?? Ostra Cybersecurity - 2024 ACW Rising Star Sponsor Award ?? RingCentral - 2024 ACW Community Champion Sponsor Award ?? Intelisys - 2024 ACW Vanguard Sponsor Award ?? Telarus - 2024 ACW Vanguard Sponsor Award ?? RapidScale/Cox Communications - 2024 ACW Diamond Legacy Sponsor Award ?? Mel Kolinski ??♀? celebrated a HAPPY VEGAS BIRTHDAY!

We couldn’t be more proud of our fearless leader, Melinda Ann O'Neill ?? It was an incredible and emotional night, seeing Melinda Ann accept her award. The words used to describe the award recipient are “compassion, generosity, trust, and courage,” and we couldn’t think of better words to describe Melinda Ann. Congratulations again, and the Michigan Chapter is so lucky to have you! ?

It's time to share another #MemberSpotlight to highlight the amazing women of the ACW Michigan Chapter! ? Diane Smith is the CEO/President of Choice Telecommunications, Inc. - ChoiceTel, a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise, with over 40 years of technology experience in consulting, voice, data, and cyber security. Diane has worked across various verticals, including Government and Enterprise to Medium-sized organizations. She has served on multiple boards; currently serving as?a board member for The CXO Forum and SIM Detroit – Society of Information Management, Detroit Chapter. Additionally, she has participated in several government, cyber, and technology missions, committees, advisory councils and boards including for the State of Michigan’s IT Kitchen Cabinet, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (Foundation board member), and Michigan Israel Business Bridge (board member, Comcast/Masergy Advisory Council) and others. Diane is active in pro-bono consulting to help non-profits improve their technology posture. She is also a contributor to InfoTech Research Group and has recently been recognized as a 2024 Channel Futures Top Technology Advisor 101. We are so lucky to have Diane as a friend, mentor, and member!

What’s better than an ACW MI event? An event to highlight Spectrotel SHEROS too! ?? We had a great time playing pickleball, sharing stories, and pressing why surrounding yourself with other supportive women is SO vital in both your personal and professional life. So grateful for this community. ??

It's time for another #MemberSpotlight ? Meet Danielle Pink (Ross), a dynamic leader making waves as the Director of Marketing at 123NET. With a sharp eye for strategy and a deep connection to Michigan’s business landscape, Danielle drives campaigns that showcase 123NET’s reliable fiber internet services, all while celebrating the strength and pride of Michigan communities. Her focus on customer-centric messaging ensures that both residential and business customers see 123NET as the go-to choice for their internet needs. Danielle’s journey at 123NET is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as a Sales Intern just over five years ago, she has steadily risen through the ranks to her current leadership role. Along the way, she’s honed her expertise in marketing strategy, communications, and storytelling—skills she uses to oversee integrated campaigns across digital and print platforms. Danielle holds an MBA with a specialization in Marketing, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a minor in Entrepreneurship from Oakland University. During her time at OU, she was a leader in several campus organizations, further cementing her knack for innovation and collaboration. But Danielle’s passions extend beyond the workplace. She’s dedicated to personal growth and giving back to her community. As a member of her church’s worship team, Danielle develops her public speaking skills while building meaningful connections. Her involvement is a testament to her commitment to nurturing not only her career but also her sense of purpose and community impact. Danielle is a shining example of what it means to lead with intention, passion, and a focus on both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. We’re proud to have her as part of the ACW Michigan Chapter!

?? Exciting News from the ACW Michigan Chapter! ?? We are thrilled to announce that Mel Kolinski ??♀? from our very own Michigan Chapter has been elected to the Alliance of Channel Women Board of Directors! ?? Mel’s dedication, leadership, and passion for empowering women in the telecom and IT sales channel have been truly inspiring. Her election to the Board is a testament to her commitment and vision for advancing women’s careers and leadership in our industry. Having a representative from the Michigan Chapter on the Board is a proud moment for all of us. Join us in congratulating Mel on this well-deserved achievement! ?? https://lnkd.in/dd67CQrT

Next up on our #MemberSpotlight is the phenomenal Della Pretzer! Della is a seasoned Sales Leader with a proven track record of success in the Channel. Currently serving as the Senior Regional Partner Manager at RingCentral, Della excels in fostering strong partner relationships, building high-performing sales teams, and driving both profitability and productivity. Her knack for exceeding sales goals and expanding market reach has made her a respected figure in the industry for 20+ years. Della’s expertise spans many areas, including talent evaluation, mentoring, and streamlining operations in collaboration with cross-functional teams. Her excellent communication and presentation skills set her apart as an adept leader who consistently delivers results. Whether she's training teams, facilitating mutual success with partners, or strategizing for market growth, Della’s commitment to excellence shines through. Outside the boardroom, Della is passionate about giving back to her community. She actively supports charities like In The Image and Samaritan's Purse, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact beyond her professional life. Della and her husband, Scott, reside in Grand Rapids, where they enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and two wonderful granddaughters. Della’s ability to balance her professional achievements with her personal passions makes her an invaluable member of the ACW Michigan Chapter. Her story is one of leadership, community engagement, and unwavering commitment to success and service. We are proud to spotlight Della and her contributions to both the tech industry and her community!

Congrats to all of the Unstoppable Women Scholarship Winners, and especially to Bailey Terrell from the Michigan Chapter! ??? Unstoppable Women is a coaching program for women who want to confidently step into their full potential, take the next step in their professional and personal growth journey and lead their lives, careers and teams from within - by overcoming what stands in their way. We are so excited for these amazing women who are looking to crush it in 2025 and beyond!

??? Happy New Year from the Alliance of Channel Women Michigan Chapter! ??? As we welcome 2025, we reflect on an incredible year filled with connection, growth, and the inspiring achievements of our amazing members. Your strength, success, and support remind us why this community is so special. Together, we’ve built each other up, celebrated our wins, and made strides toward creating a more inclusive and empowered future in the channel. Looking ahead, let’s continue to amplify each other’s voices, share opportunities, and inspire new leaders. If you’re not already a part of this incredible network, we encourage you to make joining or supporting the Alliance of Channel Women one of your goals for the new year! Together, we thrive. Here’s to a year of collaboration, success, and lifting each other higher. Wishing you all health, happiness, and prosperity in 2025! ?? #NewYear #AllianceOfChannelWomen #ACWMichigan #WomenInTech

?? Get ready for a year-long celebration! In 2025, ACW will celebrate 15 years of breaking barriers, creating opportunities and building a community of bold and brilliant women in the channel. ?? Become an ACW Sponsor: ? Elevate your brand with high-profile visibility ?? Build connections with top revenue producers and influencers ?? Support programs that empower and educate women in tech Join us in making 2025 a year to remember. Be part of something BIG. ?? Ready to sponsor? >Learn more and get started here: https://ow.ly/wj2050TVNMV Mayka Rosales-Peterson Akilah Murrell Brittany (Fuller) Caito Ashley Cole Maureen McAneny O'Connell Madison Beedy Staci Wimes Corbett, MBA Sommer Figone ?? Tracy Hali, MBA Jackie Steinberg Khali Henderson #ACW15 #ACW #AllianceofChannelWomen #BreakBarriers #womenempoweringwomen #womensupportingwomen #womenintech