Google Cloud’s Global VP Departs, Replaced By Snowflake Channel Superstar
‘After 2.5 impactful years, Bron Hastings has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Google,’ said Google Cloud’s Kevin Ichhpurani in an internal memo obtained by CRN.
Colleen Kapase
Google Cloud’s partner ecosystem leader Bronwyn Hastings is leaving the cloud company after two years to pursue other opportunities. She is being replaced by channel superstar Colleen Kapase, who has over two decades of top partner executive experience working at Snowflake, Citrix and VMware.
In an internal memo obtained by CRN, Google Cloud’s Kevin Ichhpurani confirmed that Kapase will take over Hastings’ channel leadership role.
“I am pleased to share that Colleen Kapase will be joining our team on Dec. 4th to lead the Global Channels & Programs organization. Over the last 5 years at Snowflake, Colleen built a next-generation cloud-first partner and channel organization from its infancy to multiple billions of dollars of impact,” said Ichhpurani, corporate vice president and head of global ecosystem and business development at Google Cloud.
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Hastings, who made CRN’s 2023 Inclusive Channel Leader list, was responsible for overseeing Google Cloud’s parnter ecosystem as corporate vice president of Global ISV Partnerships and Channels. She first joined the cloud company in 2021, after working in top sales and channel roles for SAP, Oracle and Citrix.
“After 2.5 impactful years, Bron Hastings has decided to pursue an opportunity outside of Google. Bron has been a strong leader in the Ecosystem & Channels team and instrumental in the evolution of our partner programs, supporting our “partner first” approach and growing channel revenue contribution,” said Ichhpurani. “She made a meaningful and long-lasting impact and has been a dear friend to all of us.”
Hastings’ final day at Google Cloud will be Nov. 10. Both Hastings and Kapase could not be reached by press time.
Who Is Colleen Kapase?
Kapase is senior vice president of worldwide partner and alliances at cloud computing, data and AI competitor Snowflake. She has led the partner strategy, programs and field teams for Snowflake for nearly five years.
In 2020, she spearheaded the successful launch of the Snowflake Partner Network which changed the way Snowflake engaged with its partners.
Prior to that, Kapase spent 13 years at VMware, with her last role being vice president of partner go-to-market, incentives and programs. She was also director of channel programs for Citrix from 2001 to 2006.
In an apparent farewell message on LinkedIn last week, Kapase said it was a “pleasure working with partners” during her tenure at Snowflake.
“I’m grateful for building one of the most forward thinking, efficient, fights well above it’s weight class partner teams in the industry,” Kapase wrote on LinkedIn. “The hard work, fun and camaraderie we built truly enjoying our journey was unparalleled. It was joy working with a partner team that has so much heart and belief in the data cloud ecosystem.”
“To the partner community I have dedicated my entire career too, I will see you soon,” she said.
A source close to the matter said Hastings’ departure shows no signs that Google Cloud is shifting or changing its channel program, strategy or roadmap.