Kerry Wright ─ multi-geographic channel leader who knows how to drive team success and deliver transformational performance and excellence...
March 23, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Kerry Wright
Owner
Kerry Wright Aesthetics
(Previously — EMEA & APAC Channel Director
SugarCRM)
Are you looking for a multi-geographic channel leader who knows how to drive team success and deliver increasing levels of transformational performance and excellence? We know the person—Kerry Wright!
Kerry is the channel director EMEA and APAC for SugarCRM. She is an experienced IT industry veteran with many company awards for outstanding performance. She currently lives in Lancashire, England with her son (9 years old) and two dogs. In her spare time, she loves to walk and body board in the Lake District of Northwest, England, which is famous for its lakes, forests and fells (mountains) and where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children’s stories. She is also a lover of the arts, including music and film and is particularly interested in the Tudor period of history.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Women, Kerry Wright!
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?
The one thing that my colleagues probably don’t know about me is that despite my southern British accent I am actually from Scotland! And I do have a Scottish accent when I speak to my family at home.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Before the pandemic I would fly on average 50,000 miles per year.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
As a fellow Scot I am partial to square sausage and black pudding in a burnt roll! The Glaswegians reading this will know what I mean!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
During my time at Symantec, the top 5% of achievers were selected to participate in a year-long leadership program. It was a life changing experience and it taught me competencies and skills that I still carry with me today. The second was 5 years later when Quest merged with Dell. I was asked to be on the M&A group for channel and integrate software distribution partners and practices into the Dell organisation.
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 been lucky enough to have a few amazing mentors throughout my career. George Karabatsos shared with me his abilities to negotiate diplomatically, be cross functionally influential and win business battles without negatively affecting business relationships.
The lesson of ‘lead with mindfulness’ is a lesson I take with me everywhere and try to share with as many people as possible.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Two pieces of advice: 1. Have patience. If you work hard and are good at what you do the right things will come to you. 2. Be yourself completely and utterly. Be professional, respectful and courteous and BE YOU! Our greatness, especially as women, is our uniqueness. Let that uniqueness be seen!
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I make myself available, and my door is always open. I would like to think that anyone in the organisation I work for knows that I am someone they can reach out to as a coach or a mentor. I am creating a number of different groups and forums that are women focused within SugarCRM to create awareness of our female talent.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
The most interesting project I have worked on in the last few years is being asked to be part of the channel merger and acquisition team at Dell software.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
When I was younger my fear of failure was my biggest challenge. As women we should never fear failure! This is something I continue to working on today.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Today my greatest business challenges are balancing my personal and professional life as a single working mother. Demands from professional and personal commitments are a constant balancing act.
