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Techday NZ
18-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Exclusive: Elastic eyes global partner growth from ANZ base
Elastic's Vice President of Partner Ecosystems, International, Andrew Habgood, is steering the company's next phase of growth by scaling up its partner network across Asia Pacific, EMEA and beyond—with Australia and New Zealand playing a pivotal role. Recently stepping up from his previous APJ remit to a broader international focus, Habgood said the shift comes at a crucial moment for the company as it moves to harness the best of each market globally. "What we're trying to do is actually bring together the best of the best, the good ideas," he said. "There is a local market lens that needs to be applied everywhere we go - think globally, act locally." Based in Sydney, Habgood's journey into tech started by chance when a computer shop owner asked him to help assemble machines. That led to roles at HP and Red Hat, where he ran Asia Pacific partner and sales teams, before joining Elastic two years ago. "I came in with a very small team, knowingly, but with a purpose and a mission to really build out a partner ecosystem that was going to let us go from where we were two years ago to where we want to be in the next five and ten years," he said. Elastic, a search-powered technology company, underpins solutions in security, observability, enterprise search and Gen AI. "We are a search platform that has been applied to so many use cases," Habgood said. "It's exciting to be part of." The company's growth has been partner-led and product-driven, with nearly 6 billion downloads of its core open-source project. "We're not new to AI," he added. "We've been embedding AI into our products and technology for years." Australia and New Zealand have emerged as key proving grounds for this partner-first strategy. The company recently appointed Tech Data as its distributor for ANZ to help expand its regional reach. "They have offices, roadshows and ways to reach partners that we don't have the manpower to get to," he explained. Elastic works across several go-to-market models - resellers, system integrators, managed service providers (MSPs), hyperscalers and OEMs. This year, it recognised a standout group of ANZ-based partners at its local awards: Recon Technologies Pty Ltd – ANZ Partner of the Year NQRY Pty Ltd – Innovation Award Amazon Web Services Australia Pty Ltd – Cloud Partner of the Year ctrl:cyber – Managed Services Partner of the Year Atturra Limited – Reseller of the Year Skillfield Pty Ltd – Services Partner of the Year Deloitte Limited – Systems Integrator of the Year Habgood said these partners reflect the maturity and diversity of Elastic's ecosystem in the region. "We're starting to see some local software providers embedding Elastic for selling out of Australia and New Zealand into other markets," he added. Global partners also play a central role in Elastic's ecosystem, including the likes of Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle and Accenture. "We have native integrations with the hyperscalers, as well as strong OEM relationships," Habgood explained. He said the ANZ region presents unique challenges, including low population density and geographic spread, requiring a more targeted partner approach. "How do you cover that?" he asked. "That's where the uniqueness comes in." Elastic is addressing these gaps through specialised partners with reach into regional areas and sector-specific expertise. "In Asia Pacific, that is unique," he said. "Every other market is pretty much all metro or all scale. We are that quite hybrid." The company also recently launched its AI Ecosystem - a global initiative bringing together partners who have demonstrated compatibility and technical integration with Elastic's AI capabilities. "Customers might use Amazon Bedrock or Microsoft AI Studio, but they probably need other parts to make the technology work," he said. In ANZ, Elastic is identifying select partners to build deep expertise in Gen AI. "We want to get a couple of partners to be super well-equipped to lead the way," Habgood said. The company is enhancing its partner portal with bite-sized training, sales playbooks, and easier access to Elastic's own enablement tools. "We want our ecosystem to be an extension of us," he said. Managed services providers are a particular focus, with Elastic offering tools that help them lower costs and increase visibility. "We can make it easier for their analysts to understand what's happening and look at longer data trends," he said. "In observability, we're helping them faster understand root cause in a more meaningful way." Elastic is also offering its own security orchestration and automation technology through an OEM model to help partners deliver full security capabilities. "We are OEMing Times as a SOAR provider," Habgood said. "A lot of partners have already come to us and are super excited about that." Looking ahead to 2025, Habgood said his focus will be ensuring Elastic's growing customer interest is matched by a vibrant and skilled partner ecosystem. "We have a huge amount of unsatiated interest that we just have not been able to do by ourselves," he said. "What I want to see is that happening because of a rich and vibrant partner ecosystem."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
And the winner of the Muscogee County Teacher of the Year award is . . .
Amanda Zarate, who teaches theater at Wynnton Arts Academy, is the Muscogee County School District 2025 Teacher of the Year. The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, which conducts MCSD's Teacher of the Year program, announced the winner Thursday night during its annual gala. A sellout crowd of more than 1,100 people attended the event in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. Each year, the staff at every MCSD school may nominate a teacher for this award. This year's 54 nominees were announced in January during a ceremony in Legacy Hall at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. MEEF's selection committee, comprising Columbus business and education leaders, evaluated the nominees' applications to narrow the field to 10 semifinalists, announced in March. The committee interviewed the semifinalists to determine three finalists, announced in April as MEEF and MCSD officials made surprise classroom visits. Then, to decide the winner, committee members observed the finalists teaching a lesson. Selection committee chairman Josh Reynolds of TSYS described Zarate's connection with her students as 'truly something special.' 'She brings a unique energy and empathy into her classroom that allows students to feel seen, heard and inspired,' he said in MEEF's news release. 'Amanda meets each student where they are — with compassion, creativity and confidence. It's clear she's built a space where students feel safe to express themselves and are empowered to grow. That's what stood out to the committee.' Selection committee member and MCSD 2023 Teacher of the Year Tasha Morman observed Zarate teaching life skills through theater skills. 'Amanda goes far beyond the stage, using theater as a vessel to teach her students everything from communication and collaboration to confidence and critical thinking.' Zarate, a former U.S. Army tank track mechanic, wrote in her application that she used the Army's values (loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage) to inform her teaching philosophy. 'As a theatre educator, my goal is to help students communicate and express themselves through theatre skills,' she wrote. 'I believe all students are capable of achieving great things, regardless of their background. Eight years in, I take immense pride in creating a positive learning environment that engages students while respecting the many different ways they learn.' Originally from Illinois, Zarate came to Columbus as a soldier in the U.S. Army when she was stationed at Fort Benning. Zarate earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Columbus State University. She is in a doctoral program there. It's a big change from working as a tank mechanic in the Army, where she was a specialist when was honorably discharged after four years of service. Initially thinking she would become a theater performer, Zarate decided to become a theater teacher so she could have more stable working hours to be more available for her son as a single mother. Zarate first wanted to teach in a high school, but she now enjoys 'all the hugs' her K-5 students give her. 'I didn't realize the amount of love and attention that the students at this level needed,' she told the Ledger-Enquirer last month, when she was announced as a finalist for this award. Zarate cherishes her career's journey. 'I think I'm still going,' she said. 'I just feel grateful to be able to share my ideas and to help teachers feel heard, help students feel heard. … There are so many grownups that don't know how to communicate. If I could help kids at this age feel like they can communicate better with their thoughts, their emotions, their ideas, then I've done something.' During her acceptance speech Thursday night, Zarate told the crowd she grew up in a situation similar to the disadvantaged home life many of her students struggle to overcome. 'Waiting on food stamps every month to get decent food in the house,' she said. 'Devouring the breakfast pizza in elementary school because it was free. Wearing my brother's hand-me-down clothes. . . . Trying to keep my one pair of school shoes nice the whole year.' Zarate used to be embarrassed about those circumstances. 'Now, I own my childhood,' she said. 'It's my strongest tool I have to connect with my students.' Connecting with her students in the fully committed way she feels they deserve, Zarate acknowledged, means sacrificing time elsewhere in her life, such as attending her son's activities or submitting her doctoral coursework on time. 'If I'm excelling at one thing, then something else is lacking,' she said. '. . . I am still learning, and I am still reaching for things to help make me a better person in every facet of my life.' Zarate addressed her son, Liam, 'my sweet boy,' as she apologized for missing his 'school plays, awards days and little moments that I'll never get back. 'I'm so sorry. Please know that no award, no recognition, will ever come before you in my heart. I love you, and I'm learning to manage my time better so I can show up more — for you.' Zarate also spoke as a advocate for the arts in education. 'The arts are not a side note in education; they're a heartbeat,' she said. 'In my classroom, students learn to express themselves, collaborate, take creative risks and build confidence. They find their voice, and they realize that their presence — their very existence — matters. 'That is the power of the arts. And this moment, this honor, is not just about me; it's about the value of arts education in every corner of our district.' During the gala, the nominees received a framed certificate of recognition and $100. The semifinalists received $500, and the finalists received $1,000. As the winner, Zarate received $5,000. 'We are especially grateful to our generous supporters who enable MEEF to reward and recognize exceptional teachers,' foundation chairman Wes Kelley of Brasfield & Gorrie said in the news release. The MCSD Teacher of the Year program sponsors are: W.C. Bradley Company Kinetic Credit Union Synovus This WORKS Chancelight Brasfield & Gorrie Janet Davis Hughston Clinic Hecht Burdeshaw Architects TSYS Virtucom Colony Bank Columbus State University Columbus Water Works Freeman & Associates Hall Booth Smith Hughston Clinic Muscogee Retired Educators Association Outfront Media Bill Reaves Robinson, Grimes & Company Spud Bowen & Associates MEEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering educational excellence by helping teachers who are innovative and exceptionally effective in the public schools of Columbus. Since it was established 29 years ago, the foundation has awarded more than $3.3 million to such educators through financial incentives in the Teacher of the Year program, the MEEF Grant program, the MEEF Endowment Fund and the Harvard Fellows program. MEEF's 2025 Teacher of the Year selection committee members are: Josh Reynolds (chairman) of TSYS/Global Payments Vanessa Ellis, MCSD 2022 Teacher of the Year Michael Graydon of Synovus Sheryl Green, MCSD 2015 Teacher of the Year John Dale Hester of Columbus United FC Marquette McKnight of Media, Marketing and More Tasha Morman, MCSD 2023 Teacher of the Year John Pezold of Whit's Frozen Custard Gina Smith of Keller Williams Ty Webb of W.C. Bradley Company.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paul Skenes notches 9 strikeouts, leading Pirates to 3-0 win over Dodgers
Friday night's matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates featured an enticing clash between National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes and the reigning World Series champions. Would the Pirates' pitching sensation be humbled by one of the most formidable lineups in Major League Baseball? Or would one of the NL's top pitchers handcuff a Dodgers offense that hasn't yet performed to expectations? Advertisement This time around, Skenes prevailed with 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Pittsburgh's 3-0 victory. The right-hander notched nine strikeouts with no walks and five hits allowed. 'I think that he's one of the best in the game,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. 'Tonight, we really couldn't muster much.' However, Roberts also felt that Dodgers hitters helped Skenes out by continuing a trend of chasing pitches out of their hitting zone. "I think that it's hard to hit guys that good when you're chasing the hitting zone vs. locking in on your own area," Roberts added. "I thought tonight, as well as days preceding, we just are not as disciplined as we need to be in certain areas of the hitting zone." Advertisement Three relievers followed Skenes and kept the Dodgers off the scoreboard for the remaining 2 2/3 innings, giving up just one hit. David Bednar, back with the Pirates after being demoted to the minors in early April, struck out two in the ninth for his second save. Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts batted a combined 0-for-8 at the top of the Dodgers' batting order, giving Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández no opportunities to drive a runner in. Freeman provided the Dodgers' best chance to score in the fourth inning, leading off with a double and advancing to third on an error by Bryan Reynolds. But Skenes retired the next three batters to strand Freeman. Skenes has won two of his three starts versus the Dodgers going back to last season, allowing 7 runs in 11 innings in his first two matchups. He now has a 3.63 ERA against Los Angeles, averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings. 'This is where baseball gets really fun, I think,' Skenes said afterward, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. '... [Shohei] Ohtani saw my pitches today. Freddie [Freeman], I think, saw all my pitches today. And aside from today, they've all seen all my pitches. I'm not hiding anything from them, and they're not hiding anything from me. I've seen how they attacked me, and they've seen how I attack them.' Advertisement Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed his first earned run in his past four starts, but walked four batters and gave up five hits. Yet with no run support from the Dodgers' lineup, he took his second loss of the season, dropping his record to 3-2. The Dodgers have lost three in a row and four of their past five games, during which they've averaged under four runs per contest. The skid has dropped Los Angeles to third in the NL West, one game behind the San Diego Padres and a half-game below the San Francisco Giants.
Edinburgh Reporter
25-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
British Business Awards held in Edinburgh – raise £1.2 million for Social Bite
A gathering of British business people at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre celebrated business success stories and raised more than £1 million for the charity, Social Bite. The entertainment was provided by Sting singing unplugged with only a guitar (and Rob Brydon trilling along at various points when he knew the words). Brydon also posed the musician some original questions during an hour long Fireside Chat. Rob Brydon acted as MC for the evening taking guests through a long list of awards and nominations after the fabulous three course dinner. Sir Bob Geldof did not hold back, telling the audience exactly what he thinks of the 'three clowns in the White House in Washington'. He said that the very existence of a charity like Social Bite and the gathering of people in Edinburgh issued a living rebuke to all of what he said at the top of his address. First Minister, John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader and Russell Findlay Scottish Conservative leader were joined at the front of the room of 1,600 people by Jonathan Reynolds was appointed Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The British Business Awards were run in partnership with NatWest and 18 UK businesses were crowned as winners, with Elaine C Smith lightening the mood as her companion to announce one of the awards took the opportunity to tell Mr Reynolds how to help the hospitality industry in the UK. All 300 businesses who entered and were shortlisted for the award were carefully examined and judged by an independent panel on the positive impact on their workforce, sector and overall contribution to the British economy. The judges were key figures from British industry and included Vinodka Murria OBE, Phil Urban, CEO of Mitchells & Butlers and Emma Crystal, CEO Coutts Bank, and Jennifer Cheyne founder of Cheyne Hairdressing in Edinburgh. Ms Cheyne told us the judging was conducted online and was carried out over four days. Josh Littlejohn, founding partner of the British Business Awards, and founder of charity Social Bite which helps people who have experienced homelessness, said: 'I want to say a huge congratulations to all 18 winners of last night's awards, and a big thank you to everyone who came along, had fun and donated to Social Bite. 'It was striking to see so many of the UK's businesses together in one room. These awards have shown that there is still a huge amount of strength and confidence in the sector, and with that, comes collaboration, innovation and, ultimately, growth for our whole economy.' Full list of winners: Socially Responsible Business of the Year 2025 Winner – BSW Group (Berwickshire) Business Innovation of the Year 2025 Winner – thebigword (Leeds) Family Business of the Year 2025 Winner – Murray Capital (Edinburgh) Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Winner – Colin Frame, Stellar Omada (Edinburgh) (Sponsors of Monarchs Speedway) Growth Strategy of the Year 2025 Winner – RSK (Cheshire) Female Business Leader of the Year 2025 Winner – Vikki Jackson-Smith, J&B Recycling (Hartlepool) Technology Company of the Year 2025 Winner – Dynisma (Bristol) Retail Business of the Year 2025 Winner – Seasalt Cornwall (Cornwall) Legal Business of the Year 2025 Winner – Addleshaw Goddard (London) Stellar Omada Financial Services Company of the Year 2025 Winner – Vetsure Pet Insurance (Midlands and East) Large Business of the Year 2025 Winner – BaxterStorey (Reading) B Corp of the Year 2025 Winner – The Useful Simple Trust (London) Green Business of the Year Winner – Robertson Group (Stirling) Employer of the Year 2025 Winner – QTS (South Lanarkshire) SME of the Year 2025 Winner – The TEFL Org (Inverness) International Business of the Year 2025 Winner – Walker's Shortbread (Aberlour) Customer Satisfaction Award 2025 Winner – Miller Homes (Edinburgh) CEO of the Year 2025 Winner Keith Anderson, Scottish Power (Glasgow) L-R First Minister, John Swinney, Stellar Omada CEO, Colin Frame, Coutts CEO, Emma Crystal and Rob Brydon Sting who provided the entertainment before jetting off to Paris with Sir Bob Geldof Irvine Welsh who offered an auction prize of a mention in one of his books Elaine C Smith brought 'Greetings from Glasgow' to Edinburgh Rob Brydon with Social Bit eco-founder Josh Littlejohn Sting and Sir Bob Geldof signing a guitar for an auction prize Rob Brydon helping out the First Minister Like this: Like Related
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Stronger together: Kaspersky gathers global partners to celebrate success and drive future growth
Kaspersky's annual Global Partner Conference, held from April 9th to 12th in Istanbul, brought together over 100 valued Kaspersky partners from across the globe to celebrate innovation, exchange ideas, and recognize shared success within the partner ecosystem. Held with the participation of Kaspersky CEO, Eugene Kaspersky, and the company's executive leadership team, the conference provided a platform for strategic dialogue, future-focused insights, and recognition of outstanding achievements across the channel. The agenda featured high-level discussions, deep dives into product strategy, and dedicated networking opportunities that further strengthened the global partner community. A highlight of the event was the Partner Awards Ceremony, where Kaspersky honored outstanding partners for their achievements and contributions over the past year. Awards were presented in six categories, celebrating excellence across different areas of expertise. This year's winners included: Partner of the Year – Trillium Information Security Systems (Pakistan) Breakthrough of the Year – Microhard (Brazil) MSP Partner of the Year – ICTSlim (Netherlands) MSSP Partner of the Year – Meridian Group (Italy) Enterprise Partner of the Year – Bastion (Russia) Distributor of the Year – SCOPE Middle East (UAE) These awards reflect the unwavering dedication, technical excellence, and strategic impact of partners who have gone above and beyond in delivering Kaspersky cybersecurity solutions. 'The Global Partner Conference is a great networking opportunity to meet the Kaspersky team and partners from all over the world to align on our ambitions, exchange ideas, shape the future of our collaboration and celebrate success. At Kaspersky, we greatly appreciate the trust of our channel partners and feel proud to work with amazing people building a safer tomorrow,' said Inna Nazarova, Global Head of Channel at Kaspersky. Kaspersky United Partner Program welcomes new partners, to know more about the Program, please follow the link. About Kaspersky Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and over 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at
