March 31, 2026 — The Channel Marketing Association (CMA), a professional community built by channel marketers for channel marketers, announced today that it presented its 2026 Founders Award to Diane Brode, Senior Director of Partner Marketing for North America at Palo Alto Networks, in recognition of her exceptional leadership, generous support, and lasting contributions to both the channel marketing profession and the CMA community.

Presented at the CMA Marketing Summit 2026, the Founders Award is a special honor reserved for individuals whose impact goes beyond results on paper. It recognizes those who help shape the profession through leadership, service, and a genuine commitment to building community.

“When we first launched CMA, we knew we wanted to bring together the best of the best for our inaugural board, and Diane was exactly that,” said Kathryn Rose, Co-Founder of the Channel Marketing Association. “She has been instrumental in helping us grow, introducing us to sponsors, bringing in new members, and always being a trusted sounding board for ideas. She has given her time, her energy, and her belief in what we’re building. And somewhere along the way, she became more than just a board member; she became a friend.”

Brode has been part of CMA’s story since its earliest days. A member of the inaugural board, she attended the organization’s first summit and quickly became a trusted advocate, connector, and sounding board. Through her support of sponsors, members, and new ideas, she has helped expand CMA’s reach and strengthen its foundation as a community created by and for channel marketers.

Brode recently joined Palo Alto Networks, where she leads the North American Ecosystems marketing strategy and guides a high-performing team of partner marketing professionals. In her new role, she is instrumental in redefining the company’s partner-first approach, driving demand, increasing market share, and accelerating revenue growth for both partners and customers.

Previously, Brode spent 25 years in leadership roles at Dell Technologies and EMC. Over the course of her career, she has helped shape investment strategies, modernize infrastructure, and advance AI-driven innovations designed to deliver measurable pipeline and return on investment.

A widely respected leader in the technology industry, Brode has been recognized as one of CRN’s Women of the Channel and named to Channel Insider’s Marketing Leaders 100.

About the Channel Marketing Summit

The Channel Marketing Summit, hosted annually by the Channel Marketing Association, is the only event dedicated exclusively to channel marketing professionals. The Summit offers a dynamic blend of strategic sessions, hands-on workshops, expert panels, and networking opportunities designed to help attendees navigate the ever-evolving channel landscape, sharpen their marketing skills, and accelerate their professional growth. Learn more at: 

https://www.channelmarketingassociation.com/marketing-summit-2026

About the Channel Marketing Association

The Channel Marketing Association (CMA) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing channel marketing excellence in the IT and telecom industries. Founded by channel marketers for channel marketers, CMA fosters a collaborative community focused on sharing best practices, resources, and education to elevate the impact of channel marketing. Through industry recognition programs, exclusive events, and professional development initiatives, CMA empowers marketers to drive innovation, build stronger partnerships, and accelerate business growth. To join or learn more, visit www.channelmarketingassociation.com.