Cathy Conroy ─ global leader driving sustainable results
February 16, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Cathy Conroy
Director, Pathways,
Asia Pacific & Japan
Druva
(Previously — Head of Alliances, Asia Pacific & Japan
Cohesity)
Are you looking for an experienced and trusted leader in solutions sales environments with the ability to drive high levels of sustained results from internal and external team members? We know the person—Cathy Conroy!
Cathy is the head of Alliances for Cohesity in Asia Pacific & Japan. She has extensive global experience in the technology sector, lived on two continents and worked in global leadership roles. She has a deep understanding of the role vendors, alliances and partners play in delivering business outcomes for customers.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™—Cathy Conroy!
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?
Well, I was born in Dublin and I have a gold medal for Irish dancing.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
An average year for me was approximately 400,000 KMs (or 250,000 miles); it’s definitely been nice to sleep in my own bed the past year.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
A few years ago, at an Army event in Sydney I ate crocodile and emu, both appear on “The Australian Coat of Arms.”
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
During my time at Nimble Storage, I took on a global role and relocated to North Carolina. It was an amazing experience to live and work in the US.
Following Nimble’s acquisition by HPE, I spent a lot of the following months helping the team move through the transition of an acquisition, which I really enjoyed and learnt new skills.
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 have had several mentors throughout different stages of my career. When I first moved from an operations role to sales, I had a number of senior salespeople that took me under their wing and gave me excellent guidance and advice that I still refer to today. Simple things like, always do what you say you are going to do and negotiation is not about one person winning, it is about both people feeling they came away with something.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Ensure you have a good attitude. You can learn new skills, change roles, get promoted, take on a leadership role, do and achieve anything with the right attitude.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
For me it has been to take an interest in others, especially those that are early in career, helping them build their network, develop their personal brand, learn to listen. Sometimes just listening and ensuring someone feels heard is all that is needed.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Working with Olympic Gold Medalist and business coach, Alisa Camplin, we put together a personal and professional development course for 16 “Women in IT” from two organizations. Focused on a growth mindset, personal brand, resilience and goal setting. It was one of the most rewarding programs I have ever been involved with and am most proud of.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I’ve been practicing Mohit Aron’s (our CEO) Leadership Principles around planning and collaborative alignment. But learning the Agile methodology has been important – the management of projects and work with a focus on iterative, continuous improvement using multi-functional re-combining teams driving positive business outcomes. It takes some adjustment but enables smoother working.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Currently, I think the top challenge for us all is doing business in an effective way, in roles that traditionally relied heavily on face-face in-person meetings and engagements. It’s incredibly challenging, at times isolating for many people, I’m looking forward to resuming more regular business meetings soon.
