Christine Linthacum ─ building transformational channel initiatives to fuel the next generation of programs and partnerships…
May 5, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Christine Linthacum
Director Partner Program and Operations
Elastic
(Previously — Principal APN Product Manager
Amazon Web Services)
Are you looking for a leader who knows how to build transformational channel initiatives and fuel the next generation of partners through data and data storytelling, strategies and next generation programs? We know the person—Christine Linthacum!
Christine is currently AWS’s Principal AWS Partner Network leader. She took this role after building partner programs and operations at UiPath and other top IT companies. She uses a data driven and data storytelling approach to formulating strategy and next generation partner programs to build scale and stickiness with partners around the world.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman, Christine Linthacum!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I am 100% addicted to the virtual reality game Beat Saber.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Thankfully not as many as my bosses... I do love (and miss) traveling to explore different countries, meet co-workers and engage with business partners.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Chicken feet in Taiwan and it is one treat I don’t need to try again!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I’m not sure there are two specific experiences, however looking back, there were experiences both successful and unsuccessful that gave me a great deal of personal and professional growth. What may have felt like a complete failure in the moment set me up for a knock it out of the park opportunity later.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I’ve had the privilege of reporting to great leaders that were excellent role models. While there wasn’t a formal mentor/mentee relationship, what I appreciated most was their willingness to engage in spirited discussions exploring diverse and contradictory ideas which often led to better concepts and decisions. I try to carry this openness in my professional and personal engagements and have found it to repeatedly result in better outcomes.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Listen to learn and stay curious.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I am involved in multiple Women in Technology and Channel focused groups and am always open to offering advice or mentoring.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I’m a volunteer on the distribution committee for a new Endowment Fund. We are building the process of intake, prioritization and evaluation of requests and distributing financial assistance to individuals and organizations that can “do more good”. It is a heartwarming project.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
As a person that has led by PowerPoint for years, I am developing business writing skills. A written plan requires more organized thoughts, details and clarity. I’m striving to be able to sell ideas and outcomes with data and clear strategy rather than bullet points and graphics. I’m not a strong writer yet, however I’m enjoying the journey to get there.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Ending the work day. My friends know this has always been a challenge from me, but today with an empty nest and COVID-19, it is worse.
