Think Tank Names New Board and Co-chairs To Drive Continued Growth and Expanded Vision

Aliso Viejo, California – March 22, 2019 – Cloud Girls, a Next-Gen Tech Think Tank, is pleased to announce its new leadership for 2019, naming new board directors and co-chairs across key areas of focus, including finance, philanthropy, membership, communications, operations, strategy and brand, community and events.  The changes support the not-for-profit organization’s expanded vision as it evolves in its role to inspire and empower women as thought leaders in the evolving cloud and next-generation technology space.

Cloud Girls welcomes the addition of four new directors:

  • Jess Bryar, global account manager for Masergy, chair of Operations
  • Angela Hogaboom, president of OpenSky Networks, chair of Philanthropy
  • Amy Kramer, senior engagement executive for NTT America, chair of Community
  • Raj Varma, CEO of Arth Systems, chair of Finance

“Cloud Girls is excited to bring on four new directors to its board,” said Cloud Girls Co-founder Jo Peterson, vice president of cloud services for Clarify360. “Jess, Angela, Amy and Raj all have been significant contributors to Cloud Girls either as co-chairs or as active work group members, and we’re excited to promote them each to the role of director to drive our organization forward.”

Several long-time members have completed their terms on the Cloud Girls’ Board of Directors:

  • Andrea Blubaugh, senior IT strategist for Bridgepointe Technologies, chair of Philanthropy
  • Jo Peterson, vice president of cloud services at Clarify360, chair of Brand & Strategy
  • Michelle Ruyle, CEO of Optimized Channel, chair of Operations
  • Michelle Hyde, CEO for Hyde Group, chair of Finance

Returning board members include:

  • Khali Henderson, senior partner for BuzzTheory Strategies, who is the new chair of Brand & Strategy
  • Tamara Prazak, director of channel strategy and marketing for Cyxtera, who is the new chair of Communications
  • Laura Romero, director, global solution partners and programs for Plex Systems, who continues as chair of Membership
  • Kedra Simm, director of channel business development for Ciena, who continues as chair of Event Planning

Co-chairs named for 2019 include:

  • Jo Peterson, vice president of cloud services for Clarify 360, co-chair of Brand & Strategy
  • Michelle Ruyle, CEO of Optimized Channel, co-chair of Operations
  • Michelle Hyde, CEO for Hyde Group, co-chair of Finance
  • Wendy Holmquist, currently taking a gap year, co-chair of Philanthropy
  • Jeanine Sicinski, partner experience manager at RapidScale, co-chair of Communications
  • Stephanie Minasian, account manager for HCL Technologies, co-chair of Community
  • Ally Murtlow, national account manager- North American Channels at 8×8, co-chair of Event Planning
  • Leigh Ann Campbell, business development director, cloud and managed services at Quest software, co-chair of Membership

About Cloud Girls

Founded in 2011, Cloud Girls is vendor-neutral, not-for-profit community of female technology advocates dedicated to educating themselves, their organizations and customers about the vast and dynamic cloud ecosystem. By exploring emerging market and technical trends, advocating best practices and building community, Cloud Girls is fostering female thought leaders in next-generation technology. For more information, visit www.cloudgirls.org

Contact

Cloud Girls
Tamara Prazak
Communications Chair
720-648-1980
[email protected]