About the Fellowship
The Martha Soehren Veterans Fellowship is designed for high-potential veterans who are ready to strengthen their leadership skills and expand their professional network. This one-year fellowship offers immersive access to The WICT Network’s educational programs and expansive professional community—equipping participants with the tools, connections and confidence to grow as leaders.
The WICT Network provides the recipient with a one-year membership, as well as complimentary registration and travel stipends for the following programs:
- Executive Development Series (EDS) – One of the following EDS sessions:
- Executive Presence & Influence – May 13-14, 2026 (Washington, DC)
- The Adaptive & Authentic Leader – May 13-15, 2026 (Washington, DC)
- Leadership Conference – October 5-7, 2026 (New York, NY)
- Tech It Out – Date and location to be announced
The recipient of the fellowship is selected based in part on the applicant’s ability to describe how receiving the fellowship will positively impact their leadership skills to the benefit of their organization and the industry as a whole.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be a veteran – someone who served in the active military, naval or air service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Applicant must be currently employed in the industry.
***Applications for 2026 closed on February 13, 2026***
Questions? Contact Louise Martin at lmartin@wict.org.
Nicole Gagliano
Director, Data Strategy & Measurement
Comcast
Nicole Gagliano is Director of Data Strategy & Measurement at Comcast Advertising, where she leads enterprise-wide initiatives spanning attribution program development, first-party data strategy and cross-organizational collaboration between Comcast Advertising and NBCUniversal. Since stepping into the role, she has built and grown a team while navigating the intersection of privacy, legal and advanced measurement, translating complex, ambiguous problems into structured strategy and scalable programs.
Nicole’s path to media and technology has been anything but conventional. She is a veteran who served as a drone pilot in the US Army before transitioning into roles in the federal government and eventually into the media industry, where she joined Comcast as part of the Rotational Leadership Program. Each step has shaped a career defined by adaptability and a track record of leading through complexity.
Nicole serves as a mentor for emerging professionals through The WICT Network: Philadelphia Mentorship Program. She holds an MBA from Fordham University and a master’s degree from New York University and brings a deliberate, mission-oriented approach to both leadership and organizational change. She is based in Western New York and enjoys reading and hiking.
Stephanie Garcia
Senior Director, Strategic Planning
Comcast
Stephanie Garcia is a strategic leader and military veteran who serves as Senior Director of Technology & Product Strategic Planning at Comcast. In this role, she develops business growth strategy through data-driven analysis focused on scaling existing assets, enhancing organizational effectiveness, and leading critical cross-functional programs.
Stephanie served five years in the United States Army as an Engineer Officer. While in the military, she held a variety of roles from construction platoon leader to battalion logistics officer and executive officer. During her service, she developed valuable skills in leadership, project management, and adaptability that she applies in her career today.
Following her military service, Stephanie worked in contact center operations before joining Comcast through a two-year rotational leadership program and later advancing to her current role. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The United States Military Academy and an MBA from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and exploring all the fun things Philadelphia has to offer with her husband and two children.
Taylor Hartley, CISSP, CCSP, MBA
Network Security Solutions Architect
Ericsson
Taylor Hartley is a Network Security Solutions Architect for Network Product Solutions for Ericsson North America. Prior to joining Ericsson in 2022, Taylor served in the US Navy for 8 years specializing in military intelligence and wireless signals. Today, Taylor focuses on cybersecurity, US Government collaboration efforts, and emerging technologies, such as quantum, AI/ML, and 6G. Taylor represents Ericsson in a variety of working groups and committees including GSMA, CTIA, ATIS, IEEE, NIST, and CSCC.
Taylor is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and holds an MBA from the University of Colorado.
Michelle Williams
Senior Manager of Operations
Comcast Business
Michelle Williams is an ambitious, driven Senior Manager of Operations at Comcast Business. With a master’s degree in psychology and pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership, her goal is to help businesses reach their ambitions while empowering employees to live their best lives. Before joining Comcast, Michelle worked in the non-profit sector, real estate and owned her own realty management company. She has served eight years as a Communications/Navigation Systems Specialist in the Air Force Reserves, fixing radios and navigation systems on C-5 planes. Michelle is proud to be a mother of two adult children, one of which recently blessed her with a grandchild. Fun-loving and active, her favorite sports are football and basketball – she still actively plays basketball. Beyond sports, she loves music, movies and travel – all things that fuel her passion for life!
Martha Soehren, center, with the 2018 Veterans Fellowship recipients, Judy Alsip and Rose Roth, at the 2018 Leadership Conference.
Martha Soehren served from 2009-2018 on The WICT Network Global Board of Directors. Martha is the Chief Talent Development Officer and Senior Vice President at Comcast University and Comcast Cable. Her career encompasses 17 years in the telecommunications industry; 25 years in the defense industry; and 13 years as an adjunct professor and research/academic advisor.
Martha holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, as well as a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. A lifetime supporter of the military community, she is an honor graduate of the Army’s Management Engineering College and serves as an Executive Champion for the Comcast Veteran’s Affinity Group.
Dr. Soehren’s affiliations and honors include:
- Doctorate of Learning Advisor for the GSE/Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
- Learning Leader with the Elliott Masie Learning Consortium
- Selection Committee Member for the Association of Talent Development’s (ATD) Board of Directors
- Board of Directors Member of the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)
- Past Chair of the ATD Board of Directors (2014)
- Past Chapter Advisor of the WICT Greater Philadelphia Chapter
- WICT Greater Philadelphia Liberty Award Winner and Catalyst Award Winner
- Multichannel News Woman to Watch Award Winner
- Cablefax Most Powerful Woman in Cable Award Winner (multiple years)
- Learning 2012 Spotlight Award by The Masie Center
