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Rhonda Robati’s journey in ICT didn’t start in a boardroom. Although she didn’t have a degree, her drive and curiosity pushed her to learn, grow, and take every opportunity to advance.

She climbed the ranks over the years, moving to sales and eventually into leadership roles at global companies like Oracle, Salesforce, and McAfee. She built a reputation for bridging the gap between technology and business, helping organisations see the value behind complex solutions.

Today, as Crayon’s Executive Vice President for APAC, she leads the company’s growth in distribution, IT services, and innovation. Her leadership has helped make Crayon a billion-dollar business in APAC alone. But Rhonda measures success not only in the numbers she holds herself accountable for, but also in the difference she makes in the industry, at Crayon, and in the careers of the people she works with.

This Women’s Month, we celebrate Crayon’s powerful women driving meaningful change. Under the theme #AccelerateAction, we recognise leaders like Rhonda, who grow Crayon’s business by building an industry where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

 

Building a career from the ground up

Rhonda’s path in ICT wasn’t conventional. She made up for what she lacked in formal training with curiosity and hard work. When she moved from the warehouse into sales, she took the time to understand every product and service. She listened to customers, learned what they needed, and found ways to solve their problems.

This hands-on approach became her strength. It helped her build trust, form strong relationships, and move into more strategic roles. But the journey wasn’t easy. Being an Indigenous NZ Maori woman from humble beginnings, who was always younger than her peers, in a male-dominated industry meant she often had to work twice as hard to prove herself. There were moments of doubt, but she never let them define her. She focused on what she could control: delivering results, building strong teams, and staying true to her values.

 

Breaking barriers

Rhonda’s career is defined by her ability to turn challenges into opportunities. She saw early on that many ICT businesses focused on transactions rather than relationships. She believed in a different approach, one that put people first.

At Crayon, she has led efforts to change the way distribution works. Crayon focuses on providing real value instead of simply connecting vendors with customers and partners. Under Rhonda’s leadership, the company has helped organisations build their expertise in cloud, cybersecurity, Data and AI, and business applications. This shift has strengthened Crayon’s position as a trusted advisor in the industry.

Rhonda’s influence goes beyond business strategy. She strongly advocates for diversity and inclusion and pushes for change in the workplace. She played a key role in Crayon’s Embrace Equity initiative, which focuses on giving meaningful support instead of just hitting hiring targets. Today, 45% of Crayon APAC’s workforce is female, a direct result of the programs and policies Rhonda has championed, including mentorship.

 

Leading Crayon with a people-first approach

Her ability to combine vision with action sets Rhonda apart as a leader. When Crayon acquired rhipe, EMT Distribution, and Parallo, she was key in integrating these businesses and creating new opportunities for customers and partners.

She also led the introduction of programs designed to support Crayon’s partners, including:

  • Tech for Good, which helps non-profits use technology for social impact.
  • The ISV Innovation Hub, which supports SaaS and software companies in their cloud adoption journey.
  • The Enablement Hub, a resource for industry insights and technical expertise.

Because she’s hands-on, she works alongside her team, mentoring them and providing guidance rather than just setting expectations from the top. She believes strong leadership is about creating an environment where people can grow and succeed.

 

Accelerating action in ICT

Beyond Crayon, Rhonda is committed to creating opportunities for others. She has mentored many women in tech and supports initiatives like the Women Rising Program and Crayon’s Women in Leadership Program.

In Australia, she spearheaded a mentoring program for women in start-ups and advised tech founders looking to build and scale their businesses. Her work has earned industry recognition, including being a finalist and winning awards at the ARN Women in ICT Awards, the CRN Impact Awards, and the Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards.

But for Rhonda, real success is in the people she’s helped. She’s focused on making a lasting impact through mentorship, leadership programs, or driving change at Crayon.

 

A leader who thrives by empowering others

Rhonda’s story reminds us that success is defined by lifting others along the way. She has built a career on hard work, resilience, and a deep belief in the power of people. As Crayon continues to grow, so does her influence. She remains committed to creating opportunities, driving change, and making ICT a more inclusive industry.

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