Channel Futures recently announced its 2022 list of DE&I 101 honorees.
Per Channel Futures, “this year’s 101 honorees come from throughout the information and communication technology channel. Representing multicultural backgrounds, they all work to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the channel.”
This esteemed list honors the incredible accomplishments of DE&I leaders in the IT channel. Those named on this annual list come from all places — including vendors, distributors, and solution providers whose vision, expertise, and contributions make an impact on the industry every day.
At Intelisys we love it when we have an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our people. Congratulations to Mayka Rosales-Peterson, senior manager partner marketing and Ken Peterson, senior director people and CDO, for being named to this year’s list. And no, they are not related.
We caught up with Mayka and Ken to learn about their approach to their careers, as well as their motivations and advice for organizations looking to make DE&I advances. In part one, we’ll chat with them about their background and expertise. In part two, we’ll chat with them about our Diversity Partner Program (“DPP”).
Q: Before we jump into this accomplishment, tell us a little about yourself.
Mayka: I have been in the technology industry since 2009, starting my career at AT&T and T-Mobile. I was introduced to the channel late 2017 at Telesystem, where I led their channel marketing strategy and go-to-market with various TSD’s, which included Intelisys. I moved from Telesystem to an Intelisys competitor where I led partner programs and marketing strategy for partners.
I hold various board positions in the channel, including the Alliance of Channel Women, Channel Partners and Xposure Inclusion and Diversity. Each of these leadership positions provides me with a platform and voice to push diversity forward in technology. I have also won multiple industry awards, such as CRN Women of the Channel in 2021 and 2022, CRN Rising Star 2022, Channel Partners DE&I 101 in 2011 and a few others for my work in diversity in technology and individual achievements at my work organizations.
Ken: In my 28 years in retail, my background spans stints in operations, where I led store teams. I then served as a district director of diversity and inclusion, where I helped build and implement DEI strategy and Human Resources, where I was fortunate enough to hold several leadership roles, including head of human resources.
How did you get into the channel?
Ken: I started in the technology industry in 2017, working in Human Resources as I am currently. Before ScanSource, I was unfamiliar with this space directly. My career started in grocery retail, so I was an end-user of the goods and services offered in this space. In fact, after being hired, I found that some of the registers purchased by my former company were purchased from ScanSource – small world!
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Mayka: When I’m not working, I’m spending time together with my family. I’m the proud mother of two boys, Leon (8) and Ethan (4) and married to a Marine Corp veteran.
Ken: I enjoy spending time with my family and being involved with my church and community. Our kids are now adults — boy, how the time flies! Ashton, our son, is 28, and Kennedy, our daughter, is 24. My wife, Arian, and I have been married for 30 years and have become movie buffs since the children left home.
Q: Speaking of work, how do you support our Sales Partners?
Mayka: I’m the senior manager of partner marketing for Intelisys. In this role, I lead partner marketing programs through Intelisys University (“iU”) to help enable our partners with the appropriate marketing tools and knowledge that helps aid their business success.
And how do you support the Intelisys team?
Ken: I have been responsible for Intelisys’ human resources team for more than four years now. So, in addition to supporting the DEI efforts at Intelisys, I also have the pleasure of working with the entire team. The work done to address employees’ needs allows them to better support our partners and drive the business forward.
Q: What’s one thing you love about your involvement in DE&I programs?
Mayka: I’m able to help someone else succeed. I came from a tough upbringing in Brooklyn, NY, where I had to go through metal detectors everyday just to enter my school. I didn’t know about opportunities presented to me until I challenged myself to learn more about what I can do to rise.
Ken: This is my passion—helping others. Growing up at a time in business where there weren’t many people addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, I want to do my part to assist others, allowing them to grow and be successful, knowing they do have support to address and/or mitigate some of the challenges they may encounter.
Channel Futures 2022 DE&I 101 list can be found here online HERE.
