Join Young Channel Leaders for our first-ever panel at Channel Partners Conference & Expo. Rising channel professionals will share how they're making their mark on the industry at an early stage in their careers. Panelists will discuss how they got to where they are today, the challenges and obstacles they've navigated along the way, and how the next generation is shaping the future of the channel. Expect candid insights, lessons learned, and perspectives on what it takes to grow and lead in the evolving channel.
No separate registration required. If you have an expo pass or conference pass, you're in. RSVP to save your spot and add it to your calendar.
What You'll Hear
How young professionals are fast-tracking their careers in a relationship-driven industry. Navigating obstacles and building credibility when you're the youngest in the room. Where the next generation sees the channel heading with AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. The honest version of what it takes to grow and lead early in your career.
Moderator
Emily Mast
Channel Marketing Manager
Crexendo
Director of Marketing & Communications
Young Channel Leaders
Emily Mast brings over six years of marketing experience and a passion for building meaningful partnerships in the channel community. In just 2.5 years in the channel, she has earned the Telarus Coin of Excellence and the Channel Marketing Association Rising Star Award. Emily was also honored with the 2026 Jackson College Emerging Alumni Award, a recognition reserved for early-career professionals who exemplify integrity, character, community, and achievement.
Panelists
Kevin Zimmerman
Strategic Partner Manager
Telarus
Kevin Zimmerman is an experienced channel technology sales professional currently serving as a Strategic Partner Manager at Telarus. Prior to Telarus, he spent a decade as VP of National Sales at TCG, where he helped scale the company into a top national TSD before its acquisition by Telarus in 2022. Kevin has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs grow, monetize, and scale their businesses. He believes the channel is the best kept secret out there and that there has never been a better time to be a partner in this business.
Caroline Cashion
National Channel Director
CommandLink
Caroline Cashion has spent 14 years in telecom, building her career in aggregation and the channel. She began at Reallinx, where she signed the company's first agent alliance agreement and helped drive growth leading to its acquisition by GTT. She went on to serve as Director of Sales and Strategic Partnerships at Ntegrated, where she led teams and drove millions in annual revenue growth over seven years. Caroline joined CommandLink two years ago to step fully into the enterprise space and operate at a larger, more strategic level.
Mack Slaughter
Co-Founder & Director of Network Services
Trust Technology Consultants
Mack Slaughter is the Co-Founder of Trust Technology Consultants, a firm dedicated to guiding businesses in Northwest Louisiana into the technological future. Recently named to the 2025 Channel Futures Technology Advisor 101 list, Mack combines deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen. His career started with hands-on telecommunications installation at Allegiance in 2013, and in 2020, he and his business partner Spencer Taylor acquired Allegiance's book of business to launch Trust Technology Consultants.
Rosana Filingeri
GTM Advisory & Executive Strategy
Rosana Filingeri is a high-impact Go-to-Market advisor, sales strategist, and executive coach. She led Cybersafe Solutions through its successful acquisition by CyberMaxx, building the company's market presence and signing key strategic partnerships that became the foundation of its commercial growth. Rosana has been honored in CRN's Women of the Channel Power 100 and recognized as one of LIBN's 30 Under 30.
About Young Channel Leaders
Young Channel Leaders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uniting and empowering professionals under 40 in the technology channel. We provide networking, mentorship, and career development through events at major industry conferences, our mentorship program, and a growing community of over 100 members.
Join YCL:youngchannelleaders.com/join
Contact us: sponsorships@youngchannelleaders.com