20 Lessons in 20 Years: Lesson 3 – Open Doors for Others

As I reflect on 20 years of leading Channel Impact, one lesson stands out above all others: none of us gets here alone. Every step of my journey has been possible because someone opened a door for me.

When I was a senior at the University of Oregon, unsure of what came next, a neighbor changed my life. She told me about an internship opportunity at 3Com, encouraged me to apply, and put my name forward. That one act of generosity not only gave me my first job as a Partner Marketing Specialist but launched my entire career in the channel.

Later at Cisco, colleagues opened more doors—challenging me with new responsibilities, encouraging me to grow, and giving me the chance to lead. Those experiences shaped me into the leader I am today.

Over time, I embraced that lesson and made it part of who I am. When someone reaches out looking for work, I feel a responsibility—and a joy—to do the same: whether it’s welcoming them into Channel Impact, making introductions, or helping them find the right fit elsewhere.

The doors others have opened for me extend beyond my corporate career. Fellow women business owners have welcomed me into communities, introduced me to the networks that sustain a company—accountants, attorneys, suppliers, advisors. Those connections have been invaluable, and they remind me daily of the power of community.

Looking back on Channel Impact’s journey, I’m proudest of the thousands of people whose careers we’ve touched—those who started with us, grew here, and then went on to thrive at other companies, sometimes because of a simple introduction.

The greatest lesson of my career is this: always pay it forward. Open doors for others, just as others did for you. It’s not just an obligation—it’s a privilege and a joy.