Member Spotlight: Carmen Canales

This member spotlight was written by Ollie Turner, a college student at University of Colorado Boulder and intern with REACH Women's Network. This blog post was part of her project to conduct information interviews with REACH members.

Carmen Canales, REACH Member and CEO of Channel Consulting Group

Carmen Canales is the Founder and CEO of Channel Consulting Group, which she began in 2023 after leading Human Resources and Talent initiatives across multiple industries.

Her firm focuses on three areas she’s passionate about: consulting to small and mid-size companies with fractional and interim HR leadership; coaching executives, teams, and emerging leaders; and speaking to organizations, universities, and other groups. Fully bilingual, she moves easily across different settings and audiences, connecting people to ideas and to each other.

One of the highlights of Carmen’s career has been seeing others succeed in roles they may not have imagined for themselves. She takes pride in helping people grow in their talents and confidence, and in delivering people strategies that drive organizational results. To her, success is about creating value for both individuals and the businesses they serve.

In her view, one of the biggest challenges women face in corporate life is access; too many boardrooms and other decision-making tables still do not have enough women. Her advice: be bold, clear, and convicted about the value you bring, and why. She believes that organizations thrive when they prioritize strong culture, meaningful connections, and broad access to opportunity.

Her advice for those building their careers is simple: keep learning. Whatever your niche may be, learn not only your craft but also how things work beyond it. And in true Carmen fashion, she often says, “always take the coffee.” Networking and new conversations open doors, expand your perspective, and build the connections that matter most in the long run.

Carmen also believes culture isn’t just set at the top; it’s built at every level. While her Spotify Wrapped is basically all Bad Bunny, what inspires her is more than his music. She admires his fierce love for Puerto Rico, sharp business instincts, and commitment to giving back. To her, he’s proof that one person can spark pride, connection, and change in a community, and she sees organizational culture the same way: it’s up to each of us, at every level, to shape it together.

Carmen joined REACH this year after being introduced by a colleague to Julia Townsend. She was immediately drawn to Julia’s energy, humor, and commitment to women’s advancement, and wanted to be part of that orbit. For Carmen, the most valuable part of REACH is the network itself - a community of smart, business-minded women working together to support one another and expand access. It’s a powerhouse of Triad women committed to lifting each other up, and she invites you to consider joining REACH or being an ally.