Channel partners, Channel chiefs, Networking, Channel technologies

SonicWall Names Ragusa-McBain Global Channel Chief

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Michelle Ragusa-McBain, VP & Global Channel Chief, SonicWall
Michelle Ragusa-McBain, VP & Global Channel Chief, SonicWall

Just a three months after being named as North America Channel Chief at SonicWall, Michelle Ragusa-McBain’s role at the cybersecurity firm has expanded and she will now serve the company as Global Channel Chief.

Ragusa-McBain told ChannelE2E that she is working to build SonicWall’s channel community around the world, with technical advisory councils.

“We are building with partners at the table,” she said. Working as the global channel chief is very much about listening to partners’ needs, according to Ragusa-McBain. SonicWall calls this its outside-in channel strategy.

SonicWall's Outside-In Channel Strategy

“Our new outside-in channel strategy is redefining success for its existing and future channel partners, who require strong security efficacy, low TCO, and actionable threat intelligence,” Ragusa-McBain said in a prepared statement.

As global channel chief, Ragusa-McBain will be responsible for driving the channel ecosystem, enabling partners to grow and profit from the outside-in shift to cybersecurity, according to SonicWall.

She brings more than 18 years of partners experience to the role. In those years she has led, developed, managed, and grown channel ecosystems at Cisco, Office Depot/CompuCon, and JS Group. Ragusa-McBain has led managed services, subscription/consumption models, distribution, and alliances programs. She has served on multiple boards and communities driving DE&I initiatives and developing the next generation of channel talent.

Executive Commentary: Ragusa-McBain Named Global Channel Chief

“SonicWall is a partner-first company and enabling our channel around the globe is a key priority,” said SonicWall CRO Jason Carter. “This global appointment is another sign that SonicWall is continuing to evolve and is one of the unquestioned leaders in the cybersecurity space. Along with the emphasis on SonicWall’s outside-in approach, we are positioned to take our partner community to new heights in the second half of 2023.”

The global channel chief news follows SonicWall’s release of its 2023 Mid-Year Cyber Threat Report.

Jessica C. Davis

Jessica C. Davis is Editorial Director of CyberRisk Alliance’s channel brands — MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. She also oversees content and programming for the MSSP Alert Live event. She has spent a career as a journalist covering the business of technology including chips, software, the cloud, AI, and cybersecurity. She previously served as Editor in Chief of Channel Insider and later of MSP Mentor where she was one of the first editors to oversee the creation and vision of the MSP 501 list.