What separates a job from a profession—and a manager from a genuine leader?

Michelle Woodward Hodges, SVP of Global Channels and Alliances at Barracuda, joins Joey Pinz to explore leadership evolution, channel transformation, cybersecurity partnerships, and the personal systems behind sustained success.

Michelle shares how growing up in a military family taught her resilience, self-reliance, and the ability to adapt quickly. She also explains how a liberal-arts education and an unexpected introduction to technology led to a global channel career spanning VMware, GitLab, Microsoft, SAP, Intel, Ivanti, and Barracuda.

The conversation gets especially candid when Michelle discusses evolving beyond her early “bull in a china shop” leadership style, the career tax many mothers experience, and why men must move from passive allyship to active advocacy.

She also explains what “partner first, partner only” should mean to MSPs, why tool sprawl undermines profitability, and why the strongest technology providers focus on customer outcomes and human relationships.

Her memorable philosophy captures the entire conversation: “You’ve got to show up to glow up.”

🌟 Top 3 Highlights:

🎯 Why yesterday’s leadership style may not produce tomorrow’s success

🤝 How vendors and MSPs can build scalable, mutually valuable partnerships

🌟 Why showing up consistently creates impact, trust, and lasting growth