Between Red Bottoms and Slip-Ons: Reflections from the Beautiful Middle
By Lori Cornmesser, Channel & Alliances Executive | 14x Channel Chief
No one really talks about this part — the middle, where you’re juggling legacy, loss, and what’s next.
There’s something fascinating about this season of life — when your kids are off attending college and developing their dreams of life, your parents are aging, and you’ve just said goodbye to one of them. You feel time differently now — not as something to outrun, but as something to honor. You start noticing how the chapters blend: being a daughter, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a woman still standing for something all at once.
It’s a strange in-between — the last decade of your career, where you’re still wearing your red-bottom heels but secretly dreaming about slip-on tennis shoes because they’re just easier. The ambition is still there, but it’s evolved — less about proving something, more about standing for something that matters.
And make no mistake, the ambition still burns bright. I remain as scrappy and driven as ever — the same woman who built, led, and transformed partner ecosystems around the world. My curiosity hasn’t faded; if anything, it’s grown. I’m still learning, still experimenting, still chasing the next big idea that can change the way we lead, sell, and scale. Winning still lives at the core of who I am — but now it’s about winning with purpose, people, and impact.
And somewhere between the heels and the sneakers, I’m still searching for the perfect style — inside and out. Thanks to Instagram, I’ve found stylists I adore, showing looks that somehow blend Sex and the City confidence, timeless sophistication, and yes — a little Target practicality. That feels about right for this chapter: a mix of bold, classic, and real life.
The days are full, but the meaning is richer. You’ve stopped apologizing for setting boundaries, for slowing down, for wanting peace as much as progress. You’ve learned that you can lead and still laugh, grieve and still grow, look back with love and forward with hope.
And yes, there’s humor in it too — because sometimes the only thing to do is smile, shake your head, and raise a perfectly made cosmo to the wild, beautiful balance of it all.
Here’s to this beautiful middle — where life is still happening in bold color, the lessons are deep, and the next act might just be the best one yet.
Bio: Lori Cornmesser is an award-winning global channel and alliances executive with nearly three decades of experience building partner ecosystems that accelerate growth across cybersecurity, SaaS, and networking. Recognized 14 times as a CRN Channel Chief and 10 times as a Power 100 honoree, Lori has led global partner and alliance strategies at companies including Juniper Networks, Infoblox, and 1Password—scaling revenue, transforming partner-sourced business, and mentoring the next generation of women in technology. She brings her signature mix of grit, grace, and purpose to every stage—empowering others to lead fearlessly and build with impact.