Konica Minolta’s Laura Blackmer has been named a 2024 Integrative Sales Channel Leader by CRN.

Ramsey, NJ, Sept. 5, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced that CRN^®The Channel Company, has re-named Laura Blackmer, president of dealer sales, as a 2024 Inclusive Channel Leader. In its second year, the list recognizes executives from supplier, distributor and solution provider organizations who are committed to positively impacting the entire IT channel through inclusive leadership. This is Blackmer’s second year on the list.

“Laura has been a driving force in our employee resource groups, including ‘Step Forward,’ a program dedicated to empowering women through leadership and coaching all employees to be agents of change,” said Sam Errigo, president and CEO of Konica Minolta. “Her leadership has also been instrumental in launching and managing our ‘Step Together,’ an initiative to unite and elevate women in the office technology industry through collaboration and inspiration. We are thrilled to see Laura receive this well-deserved recognition.”

The CRN 2024 Inclusive Channel Leaders award recipients are passionate about promoting equality and diversity within their organizations, the channel, and across the technology sector. With this recognition, CRN recognizes these executives for their commitment to supporting inclusion and belonging.

“At Konica Minolta, we are committed to creating a culture where all voices are valued and believe that inclusivity drives innovation and growth among our employees as well as our dealer community,” said Laura Blackmer, President of Dealer Sales at Konica Minolta. “I am honored to be recognized once again by CRN as an Inclusive Channel Leader. This recognition underscores our commitment to embedding diversity and inclusion in every area of ​​our business.”

Blackmer’s extensive list of awards also includes being named “Best Female Executive” seven times at the Frank Awards, The Cannata Report’s annual awards that recognize excellence in business technology. She was named one of Tiger Paw Software’s Top 100 Influencers in Managed Print for two consecutive years. Blackmer has also been named to CRN’s prestigious Women of the Channel list six times and has served as Channel Chief four times. Blackmer was also named to CRN’s inaugural 2023 Inclusive Channel Leaders list and is a member of the Colorado State University Business Leadership Council.

“We are proud to recognize this year’s honorees for their commitment to inclusivity across the channel. Through their transparent leadership, they help create inclusive environments where employees can bring their best selves to work to help their businesses succeed,” said Jennifer Follett, vice president, U.S. content and editor-in-chief, CRN, The Channel Company. “We congratulate these leaders for their deep commitment to driving greater equality across the channel. We look forward to learning from their inclusive leadership and seeing what they achieve in the future.”

See the 2024 Inclusive Channel Leaders list on CRN.com.

About Konica Minolta

The journey of Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc. (Konica Minolta) began 150 years ago with a vision to see and do things differently. The company innovates for the good of society and the world. The same purpose that drove it then drives it now. Konica Minolta aims to work with customers to shape ideas, supporting their digital transformation through its extensive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio. Its business technology offerings include IT services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial printing solutions. Through its ongoing work, the company is fortunate to be continually recognized for its products and services. This includes, but is not limited to, being repeatedly named to the CRN MSP 500 list; being a finalist in the IT software category by The World Technology Awards; Recognized as the #1 brand for customer loyalty in the MFP Office Copier market by Brand Keys and awarded the Keypoint Intelligence BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for the bizhub i series. For more information, visit the Konica Minolta website and follow the Konica Minolta website on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance through our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative services and marketing platforms. As a channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology providers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by over 40 years of unparalleled channel experience, we draw on our deep knowledge to visualize innovative solutions to the ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com

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