R3, the enterprise blockchain software firm, has appointed former IBM and Amazon Web Services executive, Dorothy Copeland, as Global Head of Partner Ecosystem & Alliances.

Dorothy joins R3 following a tenure at IBM where she was responsible for ecosystem partner sales, programs, and business development. At IBM, Dorothy led the company’s partner business function across the areas of software, cloud, systems and services for over 80,000 solution providers, ISVs, MSPs, cloud providers, channel resellers, distributors and digital marketplaces. Dorothy was also a member of the IBM Acceleration Team, an internal board of top-performing IBM executives.

Prior to her role at IBM, Dorothy held senior positions at Amazon Web Services (AWS) where she built the company’s global ecosystem programs from the ground-up. At AWS, she created the industry’s first IaaS-focused channel, MSP and Competency programs, growing AWS’ ecosystem from a standing start to a multibillion-dollar business, across tens of thousands of partners around the world.

Dorothy’s appointment to R3 further develops the firm’s worldwide partner sales and ecosystem programs throughout key vertical market industries.

Dorothy Copeland, said: “I’m delighted to join R3 to drive the significant opportunity in the market for R3’s partner ecosystem. R3 has differentiated itself as the clear leader in enterprise blockchain platforms, which have the potential to transform industries around the world. R3’s technology is well positioned for partners to build robust enterprise blockchain solutions, providing business outcomes across a wide variety of use cases. The opportunity for R3 is similar to the early stages of cloud when I joined AWS in early 2010 to build out their thriving ecosystem.”

Cathy Minter, Chief Revenue Officer, R3 said: “R3 is committed to supporting our ecosystem partners and Dorothy will lead our engagement. She joins at an important juncture for R3, as we move on our work establishing Corda Enterprise as the go-to technology for the enterprise space, deepening our relations with our partners. Dorothy brings a world class experience of growing and developing partnership programs on evolving technology platforms. We’re delighted to have her on the team as we take this next important step in our development.”