Channel Leaders, a private peer group for channel sales professionals, today announced its transformation into the Channel Sales Association (CSA), a new organization created to support professionals responsible for driving revenue through partners.
According to co-founders Kimber Garrett, Paul Laferriere and Kathryn Rose, this transition reflects the maturation of both the community and the profession. The goal is not simply to rename the group, but to establish a professional organization that supports channel sales practitioners throughout their careers.
“Channel sales professionals drive enormous value for their organizations, yet they have never had formal support infrastructure built specifically for them,” said Garrett. “We created the Channel Sales Association to provide structure, standards and a true professional home for the people who drive revenue through partners.”
CSA is designed exclusively for professionals who drive partner-led revenue inside IT, technology, telecom, cybersecurity, cloud and software organizations. Members include channel account managers, channel sales managers, directors and vice presidents of channel sales, partner development leaders, and channel-focused RevOps and enablement professionals.
CSA’s origins date back to 2020 when the COVID pandemic paused conferences and in-person gatherings, cutting off channel sales professionals from their primary source for real conversations, deal collaboration and peer problem-solving. Recognizing that gap, Garrett and Laferriere launched Channel Leaders as a place for channel professionals to connect in real time.
When live events resumed more than a year later, the need for the Channel Leaders community didn’t disappear. Channel sales pros grew busier, with more conferences, more travel and more meetings, yet less structured time for meaningful peer collaboration. Honest conversation and shared problem-solving became difficult to sustain. Soon, it became clear that the channel sales profession needed more support than its original Slack group could offer; it needed durable infrastructure.
“We have all benefited from conversations at industry events and trusted peer relationships, but those moments are temporary,” said Laferriere. “Our goal is to build something consistent and enduring. Channel leaders deserve professional infrastructure that supports them every day, not just a few times a year.”
To help build the foundation, Garrett and Laferriere invited Rose, a longtime channel veteran and co-founder of the CMA, to join as CSA Co-Founder. CSA also invited Liongard CEO Michelle Accardi to serve as the group’s first strategic advisor.
The new organization offers a structured membership model with tiered access levels for individuals and corporate teams. Members gain access to a vetted peer community, a growing resource library, advanced working sessions, regional events for channel account managers and access to the ChannelGTM.ai AI-powered tool for channel go-to-market execution.
Membership is now open to professionals who drive revenue through partners. To join, visit their website.
