Women and Diversity in Channel Awards 2025: Q&A with Grace Ensell, Western Digital

Ahead of the 32nd annual WDCAs, Grace Ensell takes stock of a year of progress and the road ahead

Three decades on from when women made up only a small fraction of the IT channel, the lay of the land is dramatically different, but the work to build truly diverse and inclusive teams is far from over.

Ahead of the 2025 Women and Diversity in Channel Awards, CRN sat down with Grace Ensell, sales manager at Western Digital EMEA, to discuss the industry’s progress, the company’s initiatives, and what still needs to change.

In this sponsored Q&A, Ensell reflects on how representation in the channel has evolved over the past 30 years, noting that visibility and advocacy have played a huge role in opening doors.

Ensell highlights Western Digital’s commitment to inclusion, from grassroots education programmes encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers, to global employee networks focused on gender, ethnicity, and LGBTQ+ representation.

“It’s not just about hiring diversely,” she adds.

“It’s about creating environments where everyone feels heard, valued, and able to thrive.”

As the tech sector continues to evolve, Ensell believes diverse perspectives are essential to innovation and customer success.

“When you bring together people with different experiences and viewpoints, you build better products, better teams, and ultimately a better business,” she says.

Watch the full interview to hear Grace discuss how far the industry has come and what’s next for Western Digital and the wider channel in ensuring opportunity, inclusion, and equity for all.