Catherine Ripley, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Symplicity Communications Inc., has been appointed to the Channel Partners Technology Advisor Board. Ripley joins an elite group of industry thought leaders who provide strategic guidance for the Channel Partners Conference & Expo, the world’s largest independent channel event gathering thousands of agents, technology advisors, MSPs, and VARs.
The Board’s visionary direction has helped transform and expand the Channel Partners Conference & Expo to now serve the complete ecosystem, creating an unparalleled industry event where all channel professionals can connect and drive their businesses forward.
Ripley and the Technology Advisor Board serve as the authoritative voice of today’s channel partner ecosystem, actively shaping the future of the business of selling communications, collaboration and connectivity solutions in what represents a more than $1 trillion industry. Her appointment comes during a transformative period in the industry where partner models are rapidly evolving to serve diverse customer needs while embracing the power of AI. In a world where the pace of change often outstrips the pace of adoption, the Board’s role is to ensure the voices of those on the front lines—partners, innovators, service providers and integrators who are solving real problems–aren’t just heard—they’re prioritized. The Channel Partners Technology Advisor Board just doesn’t advise; it serves to advocate for the channel.
“We are excited to have Ripley join the Technology Advisor Board to help accelerate our growth as we evolve our event portfolio to meet the needs of today’s partners. Ripley’s customer-focused philosophy and accomplishments, including being named a Channel Futures Technology Advisory 101 member, make her an exceptional addition to the TA Board,” said Robert DeMarzo, Sr. Conference Director, Informa Channel Partners.
“I’m honored to join the Channel Partners Technology Advisor Board at such a pivotal moment in our industry. As customer expectations evolve and technology continues to reshape the way we connect and collaborate, it’s critical that we bring real-world insights from the front lines into the conversation. I’m excited to contribute to a community that is not only setting the strategic direction for the channel but also ensuring that innovation is both inclusive and impactful,” said Catherine Ripley, CEO and Founder of Symplicity Communications.
“The TA Board plays a critical role in ensuring the Channel Partners Conference remains relevant, forward-thinking, and grounded in the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s ecosystem. We serve as a strategic sounding board—bringing unfiltered insights from the field, helping shape content that sparks meaningful conversations, and ensuring the agenda reflects the innovation and disruption our industry is experiencing. Whether it’s identifying rising technology trends or spotlighting unsung use cases from the edge of the channel, our role helps guide the evolution of both the live and digital platforms,” said Board Member David M. Wright, Founder and CEO of Disruptive Innovations.
As Channel Partners builds on the momentum of its most successful event to date and approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, the Technology Advisory Board plays an instrumental role in:
- Driving the strategic direction of the largest channel partner ecosystem in the industry
- Shaping the future of Informa’s Channel events and digital platforms
- Representing the collective voice of agents, MSPs, tech advisors, distributors, service providers and trusted advisors
- Guiding innovative initiatives that advance partner and vendor success
- Influencing content strategy for major industry conferences and thought leadership programs
Distinguished Board Membership
The Channel Partners Technology Advisory Board includes:
- David Dyson, CEO, Eclipse
- Allan Jaffe, vice president, technology, Top Speed Data
- Darcee Nelan, president of the board, IQ Wired
- Lucas Salvage, CRO, Kairos Data Communications
- Christopher Scott, principal owner, StratoNet
- Mark Venuto, chief operating officer, US Network
- David Wright, founder & CEO, Disruptive Innovations
- Kate Jaffe, business development manager, Helm Partners, a BlueWave Co.
- Matthew Toth, president, C3 Technology Advisors
- Catherine Ripley, CEO and founder, Symplicity Communications Inc.
- Tricia Ward, CEO, OnWard Communications
The Board’s expertise and strategic input will continue to shape the future of the communications and connectivity sellers’ market, comprising organizations that partner with leading communications, collaboration and connectivity providers. Through their guidance of events and digital businesses including newsletters, social media sites and web-based offerings, the Board effectively serves as the voice of the channel partner community – guiding suppliers while influencing peers across the industry.
About Channel Partners
Channel Partners is a media and events destination for the information technology and communications industry. We provide information, perspective and connection for the entire channel ecosystem, including solution providers, managed service providers, managed security service providers, cloud service providers, value-added resellers, technology solutions brokerages, subagent and agents, as well as leading technology vendor partners and communication providers.
Channel Partners properties include awards programs such as the Channel Partners MSP 501, a list of the most influential and fastest-growing providers of managed services in the technology industry; the Channel Circle of Excellence, which honors innovative leaders from top channel vendors and distributors; Channel Partners events, which delivers unparalleled in-person events including Channel Partners Conference & Expo and MSP Summit.
Channel Partners is part of Informa Connect, a leading provider of live events, digital content and training for the global business technology community. Through in-depth expertise and an engaged audience community, Informa Connect helps business professionals make better technology decisions and marketers reach the most powerful tech buyers and influencers in the world. Informa Connect’s portfolio includes more than 450 annual events attended by 12,000 business professionals.
About Symplicity Communications
**Symplicity Communications, established in 2007 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a supplier-neutral technology solutions advisor specializing in enhancing customer and digital experiences while ensuring cybersecurity and managing technology expenses. As a Certified Women Owned Business by WBENC and Diverse Business Enterprise by the Grand Rapids Chamber, we pride ourselves on our inclusive approach. By partnering with top industry vendors, we simplify the process for our clients, offering comprehensive solutions that optimize IT infrastructure, drive productivity, and ensure long-term success. With our dedicated team and extensive expertise, we serve as an invaluable extension of your company, guiding you through the complex landscape of technology to achieve your goals efficiently and effectively. **
