Meet the Finalist - Jaina Mistry, Unsung Hero Nominee at the CRN Women & Diversity Channel Awards

As Chair of HP’s WeBelong BRG, Jaina Mistry discusses the importance of representation, belonging, and inclusive leadership, and explains how industry recognition can help amplify the impact of diversity initiatives 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?

As Chair of WeBelong, I've had the privilege of working alongside colleagues who volunteer their time and energy to create meaningful programmes, events, and conversations. Seeing HP recognised externally demonstrates that inclusion is not simply something we talk about; it's something we actively invest in and embed into how we operate.

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

One of the biggest opportunities would be increasing awareness of the work being done by employee communities and BRGs. Often, the most impactful initiatives are happening behind the scenes through passionate volunteers who are creating opportunities for learning, mentoring, networking, and cultural celebration.

Recognition from the wider industry would help shine a spotlight on those efforts and encourage even greater participation from colleagues, leaders, and partners.

It would also help demonstrate that inclusion initiatives create real business value. Whether that's attracting talent, encouraging innovation, strengthening partnerships, or improving employee engagement, the benefits extend far beyond the organisation itself.

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

My own experiences throughout my career have shown me the value of visible role models, supportive communities, and leaders who invest in creating inclusive environments. Not everyone has equal access to those opportunities, which is why I felt a responsibility to become involved and help create them for others.

Over the past year, leading initiatives such as South Asian Heritage Month and broader WeBelong activities across multiple sites reinforced how much people value opportunities to learn from one another and celebrate diverse experiences. Seeing the engagement from employees, leaders, and allies strengthened my belief that belonging is something everyone benefits from.

These awards celebrate the diverse talent shaping the channel today. Why is it so important that the industry continues to champion diversity, and what impact can it have on businesses, partners, and customers?

Beyond the commercial benefits, there is also a responsibility to create an industry where talented people can see themselves represented and feel that they belong. If we want to attract and retain the next generation of talent, we need to continue building workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

In my experience, role models have the greatest impact on those entering into the IT industry. I am a firm believer that you cannot become something you cannot see. Event such as these help champion diversity right from early careers up to senior directors, making the IT industry more and more attractive and achievable for those who may not necessarily have seen someone who looks like them working in this field.

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?

Through WeBelong, we're helping accelerate that progress by creating spaces for education, awareness, and connection. We bring people together through cultural celebrations, community outreach, speaker sessions, allyship initiatives, and opportunities for professional development.

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?

My role as a Category Manager has taught me how to drive business results, while my role as Chair of WeBelong has shown me how powerful people and culture can be in shaping those results. The thing I'm most proud of is being able to combine both, helping create an environment where individuals can thrive while delivering meaningful outcomes for HP, our partners, and the wider channel community.

I hope it is this motivation that ultimately translates into meaningful across the wider business and channel.

This article is sponsored by HP.