CRN Women & Diversity Channel Awards Interview: Sophie Hendry on Championing Inclusion and Empowering Future Leaders

Rising Star finalist Sophie Hendry discusses the power of inclusion, the importance of representation, and how HP is helping drive positive change across the channel.

How did you feel when HP was shortlisted across three categories at this year's CRN Women & Diversity in Channel Awards, and what does that recognition say about the people, culture, and values you're helping to champion as a leader?

I was incredibly proud. Being shortlisted across three categories is wonderful recognition, but what makes it especially meaningful is that it reflects the collective efforts of so many people across HP who are committed to creating a culture where everyone can thrive.

As Women@HP Chair, I've seen first-hand how much passion, energy and dedication our employees bring to advancing inclusion, supporting one another, and creating opportunities for growth. This recognition isn't about one individual or one initiative. It demonstrates that inclusion is embedded in our culture and that we're living our values through action. It shows what can be achieved when people feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work and when leaders actively champion equity, belonging and opportunity.

How could a win help amplify the work you're already doing and create further momentum for the initiatives you're passionate about?

Winning would provide an even bigger platform to showcase the impact that inclusion can have on both people and business outcomes. It would help shine a light on the incredible work being done across our BRGs and encourage even more people to get involved, whether as members, mentors, allies or future leaders.

For me, the real value of a win would be the momentum it creates. It would help us continue important conversations, expand our reach, strengthen partnerships across the industry and inspire others to take action within their own organisations. There's still progress to be made, and recognition like this helps reinforce that investing in diversity and inclusion is not just the right thing to do, it's essential for innovation, growth and future success.

What inspired you to get involved in Women’s BRG and inclusion initiatives, and has there been a particular experience that shaped your passion for this work?

I've always been passionate about helping people feel seen, heard and supported in their careers. Early in my own career, I benefited enormously from leaders and mentors who believed in me, encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me recognise opportunities I may not have seen myself. That experience stayed with me and inspired me to pay that support forward.

What really drives my passion is seeing the impact these initiatives have on individuals. Whether it's someone attending a career development event and gaining confidence, finding a mentor, building a network, or realising that their experiences and challenges are shared by others, those moments matter. They remind me that inclusion isn't just about programmes or events; it's about creating environments where people feel they belong and believe they can succeed.

From your role within your department and within BRG’s, how do you see the channel industry evolving and what more would you like to see the industry do to drive diversity, inclusion, and innovation? How is your BRG helping to accelerate that progress?

The channel has made significant progress over recent years, and it's encouraging to see diversity and inclusion becoming a business priority rather than just a people initiative. More organisations are recognising that diverse teams drive better decision-making, stronger innovation and improved business outcomes.

That said, there is still more we can do. I'd like to see greater representation at senior leadership levels, more visible role models, increased investment in mentoring and sponsorship, and stronger collaboration across the industry to attract and retain diverse talent. We also need to continue creating environments where everyone feels they belong and can contribute fully.

At Women@HP, we're helping to accelerate that progress by creating opportunities for development, networking, education and advocacy. Through events, career panels, mentoring conversations and awareness campaigns, we're helping employees build confidence, expand their networks and access opportunities that support their personal and professional growth. Just as importantly, we're engaging allies and leaders across the business to ensure inclusion remains a shared responsibility.

What motivates you within your team, and how do you translate that motivation into meaningful impact for your team, partners and the wider channel community?

What motivates me most is seeing people grow and succeed. Whether it's someone on my team taking on a new challenge, a colleague gaining confidence to pursue a career opportunity, or a partner achieving success through collaboration, those moments are incredibly rewarding.

I try to translate that motivation into impact by creating opportunities, removing barriers where I can, and helping people connect with the resources, networks and support they need to be successful. In my day-to-day role, that means driving business growth through strong partnerships and collaboration. Through Women@HP, it means creating spaces where people can learn, develop and feel empowered to reach their potential.

Ultimately, I believe that when we invest in people, we create stronger teams, stronger businesses and a stronger channel community. That's what continues to inspire me every day.

This article is sponsored by HP.