Bonni-Jo Salazar ─ Out-of-the-Box Thinker to Fuel Next Generation Partner Programs and Partner Success...
June 9, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Bonni-Jo Salazar
Head of Global Partner
Programs & Initiatives
Zoom
Do you want to meet a leader that creates next generation partner programs to fuel their success? We know the person—Bonni-Jo Salazar!
Bonni-Jo Salazar leads Reseller and Distribution Strategy and Programs globally at Zoom. She is leveraging her 20 years of IT industry success to bring forward partner programs to fuel consumption and lifecycle success.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Bonni-Jo Salazar!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
When I first started my career, I was not interested in high tech at all, I really wanted to pursue a career in the FBI. Fate intervened and I ended up in high tech and never looked back.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Anywhere between 75K - 100K. It's been over a year since I've been on a plane, either personally or for work.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Bird's Nest Soup in Hong Kong.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Working for an internet startup company as my first real job out of college. It was eye-opening and unreal at the same time. It was during the .com boom and it was crazy but I learned what kind of a leader I wanted to be and have stayed true to that. I also learned not to sweat the small stuff. Mistakes happen and you learn from it and move on.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I was lucky and had a few mentors early on that helped shape my career. Both were big advocates of mine and what I learned is to pay that forward. Be a champion of someone and whenever possible, highlight their achievements and help make room at the table for them.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Ask for what you want or what you need.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I am always available to my team and those that I've worked with in the past. If they need advice, introductions or just want to connect, I'm happy to do that and help in any way. I'm always approachable.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Building partner programs that support the evolution of a company's transformation into Cloud/SaaS models.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
Being open-minded about my opinions and open to relearning. An approach I may have taken in the past that worked is not necessarily the right one to take now. Being open to learn a new way of doing something fosters creativity and growth.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Keeping up with the demands and pace that the pandemic has brought on, making sure to service the needs of our partners and customers and at the same time, continuing to innovate from a Partner Program perspective.
