NetApp Global and Strategic Alliance Leaders Recognized by CRN as 2016 Women of the Channel

SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - May 16, 2016) -  NetApp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Maria Olson, vice president, Global and Strategic Alliances; Betsey Pashayan, director, Global Partner Marketing; and Debra Sperling, director, National Partners of NetApp to its prestigious 2016 Women of the Channel list. In addition, Olson and Pashayan were honored on CRN's Power 100, a subset of the list. Honorees on the Power 100 earned a special distinction based on their exemplary record of success and level of influence in the channel.

The women executives who compose this annual list span the IT channel, representing vendors, distributors, solution providers, and other organizations that figure prominently in the channel ecosystem. Each woman is recognized for her outstanding leadership, vision, and unique role in driving channel growth and innovation. CRN editors select the Women of the Channel honorees on the basis of their professional accomplishments, demonstrated expertise, and ongoing dedication to the IT channel:

• Maria Olson, vice president, Global and Strategic Alliances. As a senior leader at NetApp responsible for alliances, Olson draws on her expertise from more than 16 years in the channel to build a strong partner ecosystem that's ready to capitalize on the innovation NetApp brings to market. In the last year Olson spearheaded a campaign that helped more than 1,000 partners grow and worked with the company's largest distributor to build an innovative sales motion that shortens the order process and makes it easier for partners to sell.
• Betsey Pashayan, director, Global Partner Marketing. Pashayan leveraged more than a decade of experience in the channel to develop a global partner marketing team focused on enabling demand generation for partners across solution priorities. Pashayan led the creation of affordable platforms and easy-to-consume, consistent programs that allowed partners to focus on generating demand to accelerate the growth of their business.
• Debra Sperling, senior director, National Partners. With over two decades in the channel, Sperling oversees National Partner Sales for NetApp in the United States. To maximize joint partnership investments, Sperling developed a predictable yet flexible performance-based funding model that is customizable for each partner and complements their go-to-market strategies for NetApp^® technology.

"It is an honor for me and my colleagues to be recognized among this accomplished group of women on CRN's Women of the Channel list," said Olson. "We congratulate the other recipients who are such prestigious contributors in this industry, and we are committed to the success of women in IT and in business."

"These executives have made a lasting mark on our industry: growing and elevating partner programs, leading transitions to new business models, and introducing cutting-edge go-to-market strategies, among other remarkable achievements," said Robert Faletra, CEO, The Channel Company. "We congratulate all the 2016 Women of the Channel and celebrate their singular contributions to the advancement of the channel ecosystem."

The 2016 Women of the Channel list will be featured in the June issue of CRN Magazine and online at www.CRN.com/wotc2016.

Additional Resources

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About the Channel Company
The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

About NetApp
Leading organizations worldwide count on NetApp for software, systems and services to manage and store their data. Customers value our teamwork, expertise and passion for helping them succeed now and into the future. To learn more, visit www.netapp.com.

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