Spotlight on Kathryn Rose

Meet Kathryn Rose: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Build Bold, Authentic Brands That Stand Out. She is a speaker at Women in Alliances annual summit. In this article learn more about her.

Why did you agree to present at the Women in Alliances Annual Summit 2025?

I have been an advocate for women in technology for more than 20 years, I have also been in the channel for nearly that entire time.

How did you get into partnerships?

I have always been a connector, bringing people together for as long as I can remember. Collaboration and innovation light me up. Building meaningful relationships in the channel came naturally, and partnerships became the perfect space to turn shared goals into real impact.

What do you love the most about it?

I love the innovation that happens when the right partners come together with shared purpose. When roles, rules of engagement, and expectations are transparent, you can unlock incredible results. It’s a powerful feeling to see collaboration translate into business outcomes and community impact.

What are the biggest challenges?

Like any relationship, expectations are key. Like any relationship, expectations are everything. Setting, revisiting, and refining them is critical. Partnerships aren’t a “set it and forget it” model — they require ongoing nurturing, time, and trust. When you give them the care they deserve, they thrive.

What attributes make you good at your job within Partnerships?

Empathy, strategic thinking, and a bias for action. I’m naturally curious and always asking, “How can we work together?” I listen closely, move with purpose, and I’m not afraid to have the hard but necessary conversations. With a strong sales-marketing mindset, I focus on helping partners position their value, accelerate pipeline, and clearly show ROI. I know how to align messaging with business outcomes — and make sure the metrics back it up.

How important is networking and face-to-face in your role?

I have made building a strong network a priority. Networking is how I do everything. Relationships are at the core of successful partnerships, and face-to-face time — whether at events, summits, or casual meetups — accelerates trust and alignment. Some of the best opportunities and ideas come from those in-person moments.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to shift from a different role into partnerships?

Start by listening. Learn the language of the channel. Bring your transferable skills — whether from sales, marketing, or operations — and focus on building trust. Great partnerships are about creating value for both sides, so approach it with a service mindset and curiosity.

How have partnerships changed in the last 5 – 10 years?

There’s been a major shift toward co-innovation and integrated go-to-market strategies. It’s no longer just about reselling products — it’s about building ecosystems. Data-driven results, partner enablement, and shared storytelling have become essential, especially as buyers demand more seamless experiences.

How important do you think partnerships will be in the next five years?

Critical. As markets become more complex and buyers more informed, no one company can do it alone. Strategic alliances, marketplaces, and ecosystem plays will dominate. The organizations that can co-sell, co-market, and co-deliver with clarity will win.

How are you helping raise the profile of women in partnerships?

Through the Channel Marketing Association, the Women in Tech Global Movement, and initiatives like the Women in Tech Innovation Trail at the World Expo, I spotlight, support, and celebrate women leading in partnerships. I mentor, create platforms for visibility, and champion equity in leadership and opportunity.

What would your key piece of advice be for colleagues in partnerships?

Be intentional. Partnerships can be powerful, but only when built on shared values, clear expectations, and mutual commitment. Don’t overpromise, communicate often, and always aim to make your partner look good. If you do that consistently, trust — and success — will follow.

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