A celebration of partner-first leadership and the people helping MSPs grow stronger, more resilient businesses
Key takeaways
- Geoff Thompson, Barracuda Vice President of Managed Services Strategy and Development, has been named a 2026 ForzaDash MSPInfluencer Channel Leader.
- Michelle Woodward Hodges, Barracuda Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances, has been recognized as a 2026 ForzaDash MSPInfluencer Women of the MSP Channel award winner.
- The awards highlight Barracuda’s continued focus on MSP growth, recurring revenue, partner enablement, and cyber resilience.
We’re proud to share that two Barracuda channel leaders have been recognized in the 2026 ForzaDash MSPInfluencer Awards for their work helping managed service providers (MSPs) grow their businesses, simplify security delivery and improve outcomes for their customers.
Geoff Thompson, Vice President of Managed Services Strategy and Development, has been named a 2026 MSPInfluencer Channel Leader, and Michelle Woodward Hodges, Senior Vice President of Global Channels and Alliances, has been honored as one of the 2026 Women of the MSP Channel.
Together, these recognitions say a lot about Barracuda’s partner-first approach and our focus on helping MSPs build more resilient, profitable businesses in a fast-changing threat landscape.
Partner-first leadership in action
The MSPInfluencer Channel Leader Awards spotlight executives who are helping MSPs move faster, grow smarter and create stronger opportunities through better programs, engagement and innovation.
MSPInfluencer recognized Geoff for his work advancing Barracuda’s MSP strategy and helping partners improve profitability, expand recurring revenue opportunities and deliver a broader range of cybersecurity services. The award also points to his partner-first mindset and his focus on making it easier for MSPs to deliver comprehensive cyber resilience services.
Since joining Barracuda, Geoff has helped sharpen our MSP strategy around what service providers need most: simpler operations, scalable security services and stronger outcomes for customers.
Celebrating women shaping the MSP channel
The Women of the MSP Channel Awards celebrate women whose leadership, innovation, mentorship, and contributions are helping move the MSP ecosystem forward. Michelle was one of 10 women recognized in the 2026 awards.
Michelle’s recognition reflects her long-standing commitment to channel excellence and partner success. Under her leadership, Barracuda continues to enhance partner programs, deepen engagement and deliver the tools, resources and support MSPs need to build resilient security practices.
A shared commitment to MSP success
These honors are bigger than individual achievements. They reflect Barracuda’s continued focus on helping MSPs build resilient, profitable businesses while protecting customers against increasingly sophisticated threats.
As cyber threats evolve and customer expectations keep rising, MSPs need technology partners that understand their business and invest in their success. That’s where Barracuda continues to focus: helping partners strengthen security outcomes, streamline operations and create new opportunities for growth.
Congratulations to Geoff and Michelle on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for the leadership, vision and dedication you bring to Barracuda’s partners around the world.
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