GTIA announces 2025 ANZ Spotlight award winners

The Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), the nonprofit membership community connecting and representing the worldwide IT channel, celebrated four individuals and five organisations for their commitment, dedication and leadership in advancing the IT channel at the GTIA ANZ Community Forum & Spotlight Awards event.

All were honoured as winners of the 2025 GTIA ANZ Spotlight Awards at a reception and dinner hosted by GTIA at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour in Sydney tonight.

Maria Armstrong, manager of Academy at Pax8, was awarded the Community Leadership Award, which recognises an individual GTIA member that has demonstrated outstanding service and impact through their commitment, passion, professionalism and leadership in assisting GTIA’s goals and vision for the IT industry.  

Kelly Johnson, ANZ regional sales manager for Pax8, received the Cybersecurity Leadership Award for her outstanding commitment, leadership, passion and professionalism in support for GTIA cybersecurity programs.  

Hayden Irish, consultant at Avocado Consulting, received the Future Leader Award, given to a young professional at an active GTIA member organisation who has shown success or originality as an entrepreneur or has made an industry impact in some other demonstrable way.  

Bec Paior, former manager of partner success at ConnectWise, received the Advancing Women in Technology Leadership Award for serving as an active leader in the industry, an advocate for women in technology, and a role model for others who has made a positive impact on individuals as well as their organisation.  

Phriendly Phishing received the MSP/Solution Provider Award, given to an GTIA member organisation that demonstrates leadership, excellence and innovation and serves as a trusted advisor to their clients.  

Acronis received the Innovative Vendor Award for exhibiting an innovation or innovative approach that has transformed the organisation or the wider industry.  

Acronis also received the Advancing Diversity in Technology Leadership Award for actively advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the industry and having a positive impact on the lives and careers of others.  

Tech Data, a TD SYNNEX company, received the Innovative Distributor Award, earned for successfully applying a form of innovation or ideas that had a great impact on an organisation, company or industry.  

Fabric Brand Partners received the Associate Member Award for providing outstanding services to the tech ecosystem, such as financial, legal, sales, marketing, business consulting firms, academia, training organisations, media and other not-for-profit technology organisations. 

“GTIA members are known for their engagement, innovation and thought leadership to help drive positive change locally in Australia and New Zealand as well as on a global scale,” said MJ Shoer, GTIA chief community officer.

“I’d like to congratulate all our 2025 ANZ Spotlight award winners for their achievements and contributions for GTIA over the last 12 months.”