Women of the Channel East Recap – NYC 2025

Leaders, innovators and change-makers from across the technology channel gathered December 8-9 in New York City for the Women of the Channel East conference. The event brought together a vibrant community of professionals committed to advancing diversity, authentic leadership and partnership in the industry.  Over the two days, attendees heard from inspiring speakers, participated in thought-provoking sessions and connected with other women who share a passion for driving positive change.

Speaker highlights

The conference featured a dynamic lineup of speakers who shared powerful stories and actionable insights. Some of them included:

• Jessica O. Matthews (CEO of Uncharted, Innovator and Social Entrepreneur): Spoke about her energy advocacy work in Nigeria and the importance of taking things personally to drive change.
• Panel featuring Jessica Tuttle (EVP, MSG Entertainment), Julie Branam (Choreographer, Radio City Rockettes) and Sydney Mesher (Rockette, Disability Advocate): Explored the power of pivoting, leaning into skills, building bridges between generations and embracing new technology in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
• Jillian Mele (Emmy Award-Winning Journalist turned entrepreneur): Inspired attendees to "live the story you want to tell," emphasizing evolution, excitement and mindset.
• Cass Cooper (Journalist, Inclusive Leadership, CRN): Addressed the journey from glass ceilings to glass cliffs and the importance of intergenerational leadership.

Leading authentically and designing a life you love

A central theme at the conference was showing up authentically, even when it's difficult. Speakers encouraged attendees to:

• Practice empathy and listen to understand, building trust through genuine relationships.
• Support others and seek support, recognizing that asking for help is a strength.
• Prioritize self-care, acknowledging that it's not selfish but essential for sustainable leadership.
• Reject perfectionism and find a unique balance that works for you.
• Use personal branding to elevate your career: track small wins, cultivate your presence and trust your personality to build credibility.

Courageous conversations and personal growth

The conference emphasized the importance of courageous conversations and intentional growth:

• Be intentional, curious, respectful and progress-oriented. Embrace vulnerability as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue.
• Choose to evolve rather than repeat old patterns. Approach challenges with excitement, not dread.
• Step into discomfort and take gradual steps toward your goals, knowing that mindset matters.
• Live the story you want to tell. Your journey is shaped by the choices you make and the stories you share.

Building successful partner ecosystems

One of the many breakout sessions was focused on partner programs. Overcoming program structure limitations requires patience, creativity and a commitment to partnership. The speaker revealed five "secret weapons" for building effective partner programs:

1. Create simplicity.
2. Win/win thinking and strategic approaches.
3. Build trust and credibility by keeping one promise at a time.
4. Consensus building.
5. Take accountability and own your part to foster trust.

Women of the Channel East was a powerful reminder that leadership is about connection, courage and authenticity. Whether you're building your career, designing a life you love or forging new partnerships, the lessons from this event offered actionable inspiration for every stage of your journey.