Above left to right, Sarah Burnes, Anthony DelGrosso, Kate Kingston, and Brenda Shelton.
“As a first-time attendee of this year’s Women Influencers Brunch, I came away feeling inspired, humbled, and reinvigorated to be surrounded by such incredible women, leaders, and industry way-makers. The well-deserved 2024 influencers, Kerstin Woods, Sarah Custer, and Charlene Fischer were transparent about their own unique backgrounds, challenges, and experiences while sharing the common goal of authentic leadership, and what it takes to exist there.
The immense importance of The Cannata Report’s Women Influencers franchise is clearly illustrated by its year-over-year growth and passion of its supporters. They are shining a light on dynamic thought leaders who are not only making a difference in their own roles but kicking down doors for future generations and ensuring continued strength and relevance in our industry.” Sarah Burnes, director, national accounts, GreatAmerica Financial Services
“Milner was proud to sponsor the annual Women Influencer’s Brunch for the second consecutive year, continuing our tradition of celebrating the incredible contributions of women in office technology. This year, I was privileged to address the attendees and share Milner’s unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and empowering female leaders in the office technology industry. The event was a remarkable gathering, shining a light on innovation, collaboration, and the ongoing achievements of women shaping the future of technology.” Anthony DelGrosso, regional vice president and general manager, Milner
“To ‘semi-quote’ the Barbie movie, ‘It is literally impossible to be a woman. We are all so beautiful, and so smart, we have to always be extraordinary. You have to be thin but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can’t ask for money because that’s crass. You have to be a boss, but you can’t be mean. You have to lead, but you can’t squash other people’s ideas. You’re supposed to love being a mother, but don’t talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman but also always stand out and always be grateful. It’s too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! I’m just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a Barbie doll just representing women, then I don’t even know.’
“For me, it’s literally impossible to not want to be a woman in this industry. There are fewer of us, but we are mighty, leading the pack, finding the answers, and inventing new ways to succeed. I witnessed this again at the women’s brunch. All of us together, maybe we are thin enough, healthy enough, rich enough, we can love our families and our jobs at the same time and be good at both. Maybe, just maybe, the industry is ready for leaders, both men and women, to take us forward!” Kate Kingston, president, The Kingston Training Group
“When I joined this industry 11 years ago, I noticed there was a bit of a gender gap. It wasn’t terribly surprising; however, what did take me by surprise was the strength of the relationships among the male leaders—relationships built over many years of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. This network is a powerful force within the industry, marked by long-standing partnerships, authentic friendships, and a genuine sense of community.
“Equally inspiring is the growing network of women who are now creating similar connections. The Cannata Report’s Women Influencers Brunch is a prime representation of this new powerhouse of female leadership, where women from across the industry—of all ages and at various stages in their careers—are coming together to build the same kinds of meaningful relationships. It’s a vibrant and dynamic group that is not only driving change but also supporting and encouraging the next generation of women to get involved.
“Celebrating these trailblazing women in such a special way is truly meaningful, and we have the Cannatas to thank for giving us a platform to honor their accomplishments. Events like the Women Influencers Brunch provide an invaluable opportunity to connect, share experiences, discuss challenges, and celebrate the opportunities available in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. By fostering collaboration and embracing diverse perspectives, we can continue to elevate the industry as a whole, while motivating more women to step into leadership roles.” Distribution Management is proud to have sponsored this event and even prouder of our own Sarah Custer who, along with Charlene Fischer and Kerstin Woods, was celebrated at this year’s brunch. From my own perspective, the energy in the room was palpable—a powerful, positive shift toward greater gender inclusion. I look forward to continuing to build upon the connections and friendships I’ve made at events like these, knowing they will help shape the future of our industry for the better.” Brenda Shelton, director of marketing, Distribution Management
