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Barbara, Director, Channel Sales SEUR

Barbara Giannini

Director, Channel Sales, SEUR

EMEA | Blog | Career Development

Monday, July 7, 2025

12 Years of Career Growth on the Palo Alto Networks Sales Team in Italy

Twelve years ago, joining Palo Alto Networks felt like a "bet," but it quickly became one of the most pivotal decisions of my life. My passion for innovation found a perfect home in a company with a clear, disruptive mission and a crucial channel-centric strategy that resonated deeply with me from day one.

I started as the sixth Channel Manager in EMEA, building the Italian channel from scratch. It was an exciting time, filled with new challenges, new partnerships, and the thrill of achieving tangible results daily. Over these 12 years, I've had incredible opportunities to grow my responsibilities across diverse markets and cultures. This journey was always fueled by inclusive teams and a commitment to cross-functional collaboration, which proved fundamental to our success.

After eight years as an individual contributor, transitioning to Director, Channel & Ecosystems Southern Europe was a significant step. The true highlight of my career shifted to managing and developing people. There's immense satisfaction in nurturing their growth, celebrating their achievements, and empowering their ambitions. I believe in putting my team at the center, fostering an environment where shared success and shared learning from failures are paramount.

Palo Alto Networks has consistently championed my professional and personal growth, allowing me to be authentically myself. This culture, free from bias, where I could embrace both my strengths and imperfections, has been profoundly powerful. It's this human-centered approach that builds deep trust, strong team spirit, and lasting partnerships.

Even after 12 years, Palo Alto Networks' unwavering vision and mission continue to inspire me: to solve the world's toughest cybersecurity challenges by creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported, always looking ahead to what's next. It's more than a company; it's a place where passion meets purpose, and where people truly thrive.

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