Individuals and member organisations recognised for leadership and innovation in the IT channel across nine categories.
OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2025 ANZ Spotlight Awards, which honour member individuals and organisations for their commitment, dedication and leadership in advancing the IT channel.
Award winners in nine categories will be announced and recognised at the upcoming GTIA ANZ Community Forum & Spotlight Awards 10 September in Sydney. After a full day of learning, collaborating and networking, winners will be feted at a reception and dinner hosted by GTIA, the only vendor-neutral, nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel.
“We are pleased to honour many of our most engaged volunteer members for their contributions to GTIA and the IT channel over the last year,” said MJ Shoer, chief community officer of GTIA. “Even more exciting is that the winners are chosen by a selection committee of other GTIA members from around the world, so the awards really embrace our ‘for members, by members’ philosophy. Congratulations to all our finalists and I look forward to celebrating together in Sydney next month.”
The Advancing Women in Technology Leadership Award recognises an active GTIA member who is a leader in the industry, an advocate for women in technology, and a role model for others who has made a positive impact on individuals as well as their organisation. The finalists are:
- Maria Armstrong, manager of Academy, Pax8
- Bec Paior, manager, partner success, ConnectWise
- Rebecca Swinfield, CEO, Solentive
The Community Leadership Award recognises an individual from an active GTIA member organisation who, in the prior 12 months, demonstrated outstanding service and impact through their commitment, passion, professionalism and leadership in assisting GTIA as it advances the IT industry. The finalists are:
- Maria Armstrong, manager of Academy, Pax8
- Gerardo Barranquero, CEO, Avocado Consulting
- Aaron Jacobs, principal solutions engineer, Sophos
The Cybersecurity Leadership Award recognises a single GTIA member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, passion and professionalism in their support for GTIA cybersecurity programs by engaging other members in both discussion and by providing thought leadership in any of the active cybersecurity program activities over the past 12 months. This leader demonstrates a level of engagement and cybersecurity expertise that is critical for the advancement of the cybersecurity resilience of our members. The finalists are:
- Maria Armstrong, manager of Academy, Pax8
- Kelly Johnson, ANZ regional sales manager, Pax8
- Elliot Seeto, Harmony SASE channel manager APAC, Check Point
The Future Leader Award is given to a young professional at an active GTIA member organisation who has shown success or originality as an entrepreneur or has made an industry impact in some other demonstrable way. The finalists are:
- Hayden Irish, consultant, Avocado Consulting
- Craig Irving, senior technical consultant, CJI Systems
- Lynda Irving, test and delivery consultant, CJI Systems
The Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership Award is earned by a GTIA member organisation that is actively advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the industry and has a positive impact on the lives and careers of others. The organisation is a change maker, transforming lives and/or organisations through a sustained commitment to DEI values. The finalists are:
- Acronis
- Avocado Consulting
- ConnectWise
The Associate Member Award is given to an active GTIA member organisation that provides services to the tech ecosystem, such as financial, legal, sales, marketing, business consulting firms, academia, training organisations, media and other not-for-profit technology organisations. The winner also actively participates in GTIA activities and has had a positive impact on the lives and careers of others. The finalists are:
- Dijital Team
- Fabric Brand Partners
- Opollo
The Innovative Distributor Award is earned by an active GTIA member company that best demonstrates an innovation or innovative approach that has transformed the organisation or the wider industry. This award recognises a distributor that successfully applied any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation, company or industry. The finalists are:
- Bluechip Infotech
- NEXTGEN Group
- Tech Data, a TD Synnex company
The Innovative Vendor Award is given to an active GTIA member company that best demonstrates an innovation or innovative approach that has transformed the organisation or the wider industry. This award recognises a vendor that successfully applied any form of innovation, celebrating the ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation, company or industry. The finalists are:
- Acronis
- GoTo
- UTMStack
The MSP/Solution Provider Award is given to an active GTIA member organisation operating as a solution provider, MSP or other business that offers technology services and solutions to end customers. Nominees must demonstrate leadership, excellence and innovation toward their organisation and clients. The nominee should serve as a trusted advisor to their clients, offering proactive and ongoing support to optimize technology infrastructure, enhance productivity and address various IT needs. The finalists are:
- Avocado Consulting
- Phriendly Phishing
- Solentive
All nominees were evaluated by a judging panel for having a positive impact on the tech industry; contributions that support GTIA’s mission to empower IT channel professionals and organisations; and actions and initiatives that demonstrated leadership in their respective award category. Executive council members of the GTIA North America, DACH, ASEAN, Benelux and UK & Ireland Communities served as judges for the ANZ Spotlight Awards to help ensure the integrity and objectivity of the selection process.
GTIA represents hundreds of thousands of professionals from more than 2,400 ITSPs, solution providers, tech vendors, distributors and other companies globally that comprise the IT channel. To learn more, visit www.gtia.org/membership.
About the Global Technology Industry Association
The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is the only vendor-neutral, 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel. We set our members up for success by providing benefits that include trusted resources and networking opportunities. In addition, the association sets industry standards that enable companies to build sustainable, secure and profitable businesses in an ever-changing technology landscape. Internationally, GTIA represents hundreds of thousands of professionals from more than 2,400 MSPs, solution providers, vendors, distributors and other companies serving the IT channel. GTIA was formerly known as the CompTIA Community (the membership arm of CompTIA). For more information, visit gtia.org.
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