Dalyn Wertz, Executive Director of Indirect Channel Management for Comcast Business, was one of five women to receive the inaugural Women in the Channel LEAD Award recognizing exceptional female leaders in the tech channel. WiC LEAD Award winners were honored at a ceremony during the 14th Women in the Channel WiCConnect Networking Event, September 25, in Austin during Channel Partners Evolution.
“Women in the Channel launched the LEAD Awards this year as a way for our members to recognize the female channel leaders who we look to as role models, as trailblazers and as advocates for women in the channel,” said WiC President Hilary Gadda, director of national channel development at TPx Communications. “Dalyn was voted by the WiC Membership as one five women to receive this award. She is in rare company and we are grateful for her continued inspiration and leadership.”
Dalyn Wertz has over 20 years of marketing experience that spans the IT, telecommunications, consumer and nonprofit industries. A recognized leader in building high performing channel programs, her specialties include partner marketing, demand generation, development fund programs, sales and marketing enablement and go-to-market strategy.
Dalyn Wertz is the Executive Director of Channel Management for Comcast Business. In this role, Dalyn manages Comcast’s indirect channel program (the Comcast Solutions Provider Program) which has thousands of partners who sell Comcast’s full portfolio of business services. In addition, Dalyn is responsible for partner marketing, communications, enablement, events and partner recruitment.
Prior to joining Comcast, Dalyn was a Principal Consultant at The Optera Group, where she led the Technology and Channel practice, managing consulting engagements with the partner organizations at VMware, Avnet and Hitachi. In addition, Dalyn has worked on and built partner programs at leading technology companies including GE Access, CompTIA, StorageTek and Level 3 Communications.
Dalyn has been recognized for her leadership in the channel and was recently awarded the LEAD award by Women in the Channel (WiC) and has repeatedly made the CRN Power 100 List. In addition, she was honored with the prestigious TAMI award by CTAM for her leadership in projects to advocate and further the cable industry.
Dalyn has a B.A.A. in Journalism and Advertising from Central Michigan University. She lives in Evergreen, Colorado with her husband Todd, and two children, Harper and Mason.
Q: Who is the woman who showed you how to lead the way (e.g., your role model)?
A: My mother, Linda Z. Smith, was an incredible leading force in my life as I was growing up, and continues to be. She taught me to be proud, confident and unique. She encouraged me to pursue everything that interested me… she never said, no – simply asked how she could help. She supported my risk-taking and helped me to learn along the way. I have always included her in all my professional decisions, accomplishments and failures… her guidance and love has made all the difference in who I am now.
Q: What are you doing to lead the way for other women in the tech channel today?
A: I share my network whenever possible and try to connect women with each other when I feel there is a possible connection or opportunity for them to meet and benefit in the relationship. I am available as a friend and peer when other women have a situation they need to talk through or genuine counsel on how to handle.
I learn so much from every conversation and connection I make and continuing to nurture this is important. I recommend finding 1-2 women you are comfortable with and confiding in them, asking them for feedback on a presentation on how you could improve or how you could have handled a situation differently in a meeting or event. Finding that “safe” space with other women will empower a stronger and more confident voice in our industry.
Q: What is one thing we could accomplish that would most benefit women in the tech channel going forward?
A: Continue to provide a positive and open platform for women to speak, listen and thrive.