Channel Mourns, Pays Tribute to Channel Champion Carole Lehnerz

The channel is mourning the recent death and celebrating the life of Carole Lehnerz, a longtime channel champion and member of the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW).

Lehnerz died last month after an accident at home. Her history in the channel includes roles with Qwest and CenturyLink, Spectrum Business and Fusion Connect. She most recently was Fusion Connect‘s national channel manager.

Meghan Johnson, Lehnerz’s daughter, said her mother was the “epitome of sunshine.”

“She embodied it in everything she did,” she said. “If you knew her, you loved her, and I know the love we all have for her can never be expressed in proper words. The outpouring of love this last week has been phenomenal, and we as a collective cannot express enough gratitude for the people that have helped us find any footing these last several days. For those that want to help, we are asking that you make a donation to the ALS Foundation, as her youngest sister, Kris, was just diagnosed with it days ago. I can think of no better way to honor this road we are walking than by knowing we are adding to the impact my mom [had] on this world by making a donation to such an impactful cause.”

‘Loved and Respected’ at Fusion Connect

Mario DeRiggi, Fusion Connect‘s chief revenue officer, said Lehnerz was a “dear colleague and friend.’

“She was loved and respected by everyone she worked with at Fusion Connect and throughout our partner community,” he said. “Those who knew Carole can attest that she was someone who would uplift and encourage others, share her knowledge and resources, and help you find answers to seemingly impossible issues. Her contributions and energy to our team will be sorely missed. We send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”

Coral Higby, Tangoe‘s channel marketing manager, used to work with Lehnerz at Qwest and was a close friend for more than 15 years.

“Carole was the epitome of the channel-first professional,” she said. “Her bright enthusiasm and strength always showed through — truly like the sunshine. To say that we’ll miss her is such an understatement — she’ll live on through the relationships she built with our channel family.”

Empowering and Uplifting Others

ACW sent us the following statement:

“Carole brought a light and energy to every engagement and it was a true pleasure to know her. As an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the channel, Carole was a longtime member of the ACW, dedicating her time to empowering and lifting up others, volunteering in committees and building amazing relationships. The memories made and friendships created will continue on as part of Carole’s legacy in the channel. Our thoughts go out to Carole’s family with deep sympathy. We hope that the happy memories and experiences shared will help in giving some peace and comfort in this hard time.”

Jasmina Muller, ACW’s vice president and ScienceLogic‘s vice president of global channel sales, said she’ll never forget the day she first met Lehnerz as she started in the channel with Qwest (now Lumen Technologies).

Lehnerz was “beyond supportive and always available to help in any way,” said Muller. “But beyond the business/professional life, it was always fun to be with her and her enthusiasm for life; her laughter always made my day, her friendship, and [I’ll] will never forget the time we spent together,” she said. “I literally was texting with her less than two weeks ago about meeting up at Enterprise Connect.”

Muller has also set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Lehnerz’s family with any financial burden.

Brightened Every Meeting

Brittany Caito, ACW’s technology committee chair and Nextiva‘s senior national partner manager, said Lehnerz “radiated positivity and brightened up every meeting we had together. I always looked forward to calls with her as I knew she was always smiling and energized. She will be deeply missed in our channel.”

Akilah Murrell, ACW’s mentorship committee member and 360insights‘ senior manager of channel marketing, said “the channel lost a major champion.”

“Carole was instrumental in teaching me all about the channel from the Qwest Business Partner Program days and we’ve remained connected ever since,” she said. “She was such a kind soul, and her laugh and smile could put any intense situation at ease. Such a shock to know she is no longer with us. Gone, but never forgotten.”

Amanda Jardine, ACW’s education co-chair and GoTo‘s vice president of partner marketing, said Lehnerz was “first and foremost a great person.”

“She was also an amazing friend and for those of us who had the privilege to work with her, an incredible teammate,” she said. “I was lucky enough to work with her as we both started our careers in the channel and retained a friendship for 20-plus years. It’s a huge loss to anyone who knew her, in whatever capacity.”

An ‘Awesome Person’

John DeLozier, president of Intelisys, said Lehnerz was an “awesome person.”

“She always had a smile, and always raised her hand to help out in any capacity,” he said. “I had the privilege of having her on my team during my CenturyLink days, which were some amazing days for an amazing group of people. You know who you are. We will always remember Carole and her awesome smile. She will be missed.”

Many former colleagues took to LinkedIn to give their condolences.

Blake Wetzel, AuctionIQ‘s CEO, said Lehnerz was “a true gem and a light in the channel community. She touch so many lives in a positive way. You will be missed by so many.”