Malinda Gagnon CEO of the Year Finalist as Part of CRN’s 2025 Women of the Year Award

Uprise Partners is proud to share that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company has named Malinda Gagnon, CEO, as a finalist in the CEO of the Year category of the 2025 CRN Women of the Year Awards.

Gagnon has more than 20 years of experience in business strategy and technology—serving as a Strategist at Google and Sr. Partner at GroupM, WPP before founding Uprise Partners in 2017 to help small and medium-sized businesses streamline operations, optimize technology, and enhance cybersecurity. Under her leadership, Uprise Partners has won numerous industry awards, including being named to CRN’s prestigious Fast Growth 150 (ranked #2), Tech Elite 250, Security 100, and Managed Solution Provider 500 lists, as well as being honored as a Next-Gen Solution Provider Leader—an achievement given to rising-star solution provider executives.

Gagnon also invests her time in community service. She joined the Board of Directors at the Mitchell Institute this year, 25 years after receiving a Mitchell scholarship. She currently serves on the board of the Maine Venture Fund and is a mentor with Techstars, MassChallenge, and the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. In 2024, she was inducted into the Truc Huynh Alumni Giving Society within the Mitchell Institute. Gagnon is a dedicated yoga teacher and enjoys sharing her passion for wellness with her students.

“While I am honored to be included on this list alongside many impressive women in this industry, this nomination is a reflection of the talented, dedicated Uprise team I work with every day,” says Gagnon of the award. “I am proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved together and the trust that our clients continue to place in us. The cybersecurity and IT industry is constantly changing, so business leaders need a security-first company that understands how to leverage resiliency, productivity, and user experience to drive results.”

Uprise Partners has recently expanded its strategic services portfolio, adding Virtual Chief Information Officers (vCIOs) to provide clients with executive-level IT guidance and enhanced customer service. The company has also welcomed a Vice President of Strategic Services and a Vice President of Finance and Business Intelligence to its leadership team in 2025.

This is the third annual CRN Women of the Year Awards, which spotlight extraordinary women, companies, and allies who demonstrate dedication to advancing the IT industry through their leadership and initiatives each day.

“It’s an honor to celebrate the finalists of the CRN Women of the Year Awards, whose exceptional achievements and unwavering dedication are driving meaningful change throughout the IT Channel,” said Jennifer Follett, VP of U.S. Content and Executive Editor at CRN, The Channel Company. “These remarkable finalists inspire the channel ecosystem with their bold vision, leadership, and commitment to building a more inclusive and innovative tech landscape. We commend their contributions and eagerly anticipate the lasting impact they will make in shaping the future of our industry.”

Additional Uprise Partners accolades include being named to the MES Midmarket 100 list by MES Computing two years running and receiving the 2025 Business of the Year award from PROPEL for dedication to hiring young professionals and providing them with the technical training, business strategy, and career mentorship they need to succeed.  

About Uprise Partners

‍Recognized as a top 100 Cybersecurity Provider and Tech Elite 250 Managed Services Provider in North America for five consecutive years, Uprise Partners continues to grow rapidly through its commitment to excellence and tailored approach to IT and cybersecurity that meets the unique needs of each client. Founded in 2017 by technology executives from Fortune 500 companies, Uprise Partners delivers innovative technology and business solutions to companies across the United States. For more information, visit uprisepartners.com.

About The Channel Company ‍

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world's top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by Eagle Tree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.