Channelling success: Why SVP Sales and Channel Chief for Americas Salena Butler believes you have to give to gain

What if blooming in your career isn’t about being discovered, but more about what you’re willing to give?

One common piece of career advice says that good work leads you to more opportunities. By keeping yourself focused, the right doors will eventually open. But Salena Butler, Senior Vice President & Channel Chief, Americas, and multiple‑time honoree of CRN’s Channel Chief Award: The 50 Most Influential and CRN Most Powerful Women of the Channel, has built a two-decade career in the channel ecosystem, proving that the real path to success is far more intentional.

“I’ve had to give a lot of time and energy,” she says.

Salena started her journey at Infor 15 years ago already equipped with deep ERP sales experience and a strong background in ecosystem building. Still, she realizes that arriving with such skills was only the starting point. The real work of giving was just the beginning.

Her ability to scale Infor’s partner ecosystem and align partners, sales, marketing, and product teams around one shared goal did not happen abruptly. Every step of her journey is a result of intentional investment, strategic patience, and a willingness to have hard conversations.

“Building ecosystems doesn’t happen overnight. It takes real relationship-building, tough conversations, and sometimes making unpopular but necessary decisions,” she admits.

Giving for Salena, extends deeply into how she leads people. One of the most profound ways she gives is through mentorship. “I’ve invested heavily in mentoring others,” she shares. “Growth isn’t just about your own success. It’s about lifting others with you. My team is everything to me,” she adds.

Her focus on developing other people is a conscious choice, requiring emotional energy and personal effort. Yet the return is a strong, empowered team that fuels the success of the entire organization. Mentorship for her is more than just a “nice to have,” but it is a central part of being a leader.

Salena’s own growth at Infor also reflects intentional investment. Throughout her 20 years leading cross-functional teams and 22 years working with indirect channels and alliances, Infor has consistently trusted her with larger responsibilities. “I’ve been given the space to lead, experiment, and sometimes even fail forward,” she says.

This kind of freedom at Infor pushed her to sharpen her strategic thinking, allowing her to build programs and relationships that last.

As we celebrated International Women’s Day 2026, the Give to Gain mindset served as a reminder that women thrive when supported, given space to use their voice, and encouraged to celebrate their success. It’s all about the spirit of generosity that extends across organizations and communities. For Salena, this same mindset defines how she approaches visibility.

For the women who seek navigating ambitious career adventures, she does not suggest relying on the quiet hope that hard work alone can be noticed. “Don’t wait to be noticed. Be intentional,” she advises. “Be the hardest working in the room. Raise your hand. Share your point of view. Respect others. Visibility doesn’t happen by accident, you create it,” she adds.

But everything has limits, including giving. When asked about balance, she admits that leadership carries the challenge of balance between work and personal life. “Balance isn’t about equal hours. It’s about being intentional,” she says. “There are seasons where work demands more. But I protect time for what matters most.”

Her advice to early-career professionals echoes her own journey: build relationships across the company, seek mentors, ask questions, and learn about the business industry inside and out. To put it simply, be willing to give, because the gain will come.

And just like that, the opening question finds its answer. Blooming isn’t about being discovered, it’s about what you give. Salena Butler gives generously her time, her effort, her mentorship, her courage, and her intention.

In return, she earns trust, influence, and a team that grows with her. In celebration of International Women’s Month 2026, her story embodies how the saying “the more you give, the more you gain,” becomes even more powerful when it evolves to: the more everyone gains.

Channel your own ambition in a culture grounded in shared success. Discover roles at Infor and continue exploring more of our people stories on our channels.