1. Nicole Dezen, Microsoft
Microsoft has a new face representing the partner ecosystem. Nicole Dezen is now chief partner officer (CPO), a new role at Microsoft. The selection of Dezen comes two months after Microsoft channel chief Rodney Clark unexpectedly left the company after 25 years.
As a result, Microsoft rethought its partner organization and the role of channel chief with a new and deeper approach to channel and ecosystem leadership and advocacy, officials said.
Dezen made waves for being the vanguard in this role.
“As chief partner officer, Nicole will have singular accountability for the commercial partner business. She will have a tremendous opportunity to lead, innovate and grow our mutual business with partners,” said Nick Parker, president of Microsoft’s industry partner and sales organization.
See what analysts had to say about Microsoft’s pivot.
