May 2023
Alison Alexander
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Alison Alexander
Director, Strategy & Delivery, Service Transformation
Alison Alexander is the Director of Strategy and Delivery for the Service Transformation organization at Charter Communications. Alison has worked at Charter since 2007 where she started in IT and is now a part of Customer Operations. She is responsible for building and leading high–performing teams to deliver innovative and personalized customer experiences, Next Best Actions, and workflow automation to solve business problems and create brand loyalty. She enjoys the challenge of solving complex business problems through fact-based analysis and design thinking. Alison lives in Charlotte, NC, and is married with 4 children and 2 dogs. She is originally from upstate NY and moved to Charlotte when she was 10 years old and has lived there ever since. People kid that she is “almost a native Carolinian”. Alison volunteers at church and at the local public school where her son attends. Alison also loves running, hiking and gardening in her free time.
Stephanie Andiario
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Stephanie Andiario
Sr. Product Manager, Access Solutions
Stephanie Andiario currently serves as the Access Solutions Product Manager for Comcast Business. In this role, Stephanie is responsible for internal product promotion, new product rollouts, and process optimization, as well as serving as subject matter expert for frontline teams. She works cross-functionally to grow sales and ensure a positive customer experience.
Previously, Stephanie held several roles within Comcast Finance spanning FP&A, data analytics, and strategic projects. Her responsibilities included creating business cases and financial analyses that supported decision making, presenting key insights and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership, and overall execution of scenario modeling. She also helped launch an internal ambassador program focused on fostering an inclusive, cohesive culture aligned with the organization’s mission.
Stephanie graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics and International Business, with minor certificates in Business Analytics and Classical Civilizations.
Originally from Western PA, Stephanie now resides in Philadelphia with her husband and enjoys traveling abroad, baking pizzelles, and cheering on her Pittsburgh and Villanova sports teams.
Amanda Angelico
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Amanda Angelico
Manager of Global Rights
Amanda is a Manager of Global Rights under Legal & Business Affairs at A+E Networks, operating under the Rights-Out division with a focus on rights management to support international sales exploitation. In this role, she facilitates legal deliverable review and ingest for all international productions, including format adaptations, co-productions, and any regionally produced content from A+E’s global channel partners. She regularly interfaces with members of International Programming, Global Content Sales, Risk and Finance, and she trains international production companies on clearance obligations and deliverable requirements to ensure they’re setup for success. Separate from her work under Rights-Out, Amanda keeps her licensing skills sharp by working with Marketing on commercial music clearances for History, A&E and Lifetime promos. She is passionate about streamlining processes and efficiencies and enjoys the collaboration of her exceptional colleagues at A+E.
Before joining A+E in 2020, Amanda worked as a Business Affairs Manager at the advertising agency, McCann NY. This role functioned under the Coca-Cola account, negotiating music licenses, talent agreements, and all other third-party contracts for Coke’s global advertising campaigns. Prior to her role at McCann, she worked as a Copyright Coordinator for Frontline RCA Records under Sony Music Entertainment, routinely confirming song splits with music publishers, and facilitating licensing requests for over 100+ rostered artists.
Amanda received her BM in Music Business from New York University with a minor in Film Producing under the Tisch School of the Arts, where she secured six internships at companies such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and NBCUniversal among others. She proudly participated in the WICT Mentoring Circle as a mentee in 2021, and she greatly enjoys attending the WICT Leadership Conference each year. Recreationally, Amanda is an avid thereminist and artist. She has strong interest in neuroscience and spends much of her free time listening to publicly available college lectures on the topic.
Lakshmi Arunkumar
CommScope
CommScope
Lakshmi Arunkumar
Senior Director of Software Engineering
Lakshmi Arunkumar is a Senior Director with CommScope, leading a global team of professionals to build scalable software solutions. She has over 26 years of professional experience across technical, managerial and leadership roles. In her current role, Lakshmi leads and delivers strategic programs for CommScope’s Home Network Business which includes cable modems, gateways, mesh products, mobile applications and cloud solutions.
Lakshmi started her career with “Indian Space Research Organization” as a Scientist designing systems for mission critical satellite communication. From there, she moved to “Philips” where she architected solutions for consumer electronics products. She then joined “Motorola” (presently CommScope by virtue of several M&A’s) and quickly moved through the organization from an Engineering Manager to holding Leadership positions.
Lakshmi has held several additional responsibilities which helped shape her into a strong technologist and a compassionate leader. These include leading the “Technology Council” for innovative product ideas, Presiding Officer for “Prevention of Sexual Harassment Committee”, Leader of “Diversity & Inclusion Business Network”. Lakshmi is an active volunteer in “Corporate Social Responsibility” initiatives to empower underprivileged communities. She has counselled several children to pursue careers in STEM.
Lakshmi is a firm believer in embracing and driving change in all walks of life.
Lakshmi holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering She also holds professional certifications from Project Management Institute and Scrum Alliance .
Lakshmi has 13 Patent Grants to her credit and is recognized with “Lifetime Patent Award” from CommScope.
Lakshmi lives in India. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family (husband and son)!
Lakshmi Balaji
Comcast
Comcast
Lakshmi Balaji
Director of Business Engagement
Ms. Lakshmi Balaji has nearly 15 years of experience in technology having worked in different functions including program management, change management and release management. Her most recent role as Director of Business Engagement focuses on creating and improving training strategy and learning experiences for employee tools at Comcast. She holds a bachelor’s in English from UMBC and a master’s degree in Communications from Villanova University. Prior to working at Comcast, Lakshmi worked for other large technology companies including Computer Sciences Corporation (now DXC) and eBay Enterprise. In addition to her day job, she volunteers as a Big Sister with the nonprofit Big Brother Big Sisters and recently served as the Programming Chair for NAMIC Philadelphia from February 2021 to February 2023. She has been highly recognized for being a culture creator, relationship builder and diversity champion. As a servant leader, she constantly strives to support the growth, development and success of others around her. Outside of work and professional hobbies, Lakshmi enjoys spending time with her wonderful family, amazing partner, all of her besties, and fur baby as well as exploring new places in her travels and trying new restaurants and cuisines. Her guilty pleasures include binge watching Law & Order (the original and SVU) and binge eating desserts and other miscellaneous sweet treats.
Victoria Bizzotto
Comcast
Comcast
Victoria Bizzotto
Senior Human Resources Manager
Victoria’s been rockin’ the telecommunications field in Human Resources (HR) for eight years at Comcast. As an accomplished and dedicated HR leader with over 15 years of experience, she brings an inquisitive, collaborative, and strategic approach to solving complex, multi-faceted business challenges with a people-orientated mindset. Peers and business partners will share that her gifts include change management, excellent follow-through, intuition, courage, ability to drive initiatives and results forward, proactive thinking, project management, high collaboration, a ferocious curiosity to understand the business, the ability to relate and create trust quickly with cross-functional partners and being an ally to employees and leaders. Disarming people by always smiling, being prepared and humorous, and genuinely listening to needs above her own, she connects with and influences both the easy-going and most challenging personalities. During her tenure, she progressed in her career and supported various residential/commercial sales and operations teams. She has two human children (Carmela, 5 and Leo, 7) and two fur-children (Meatball-dog, Cannoli-cat) and resides in Minnesota with her partner, Kirk. She values time with family and friends, enjoys reading (1-2 books per week), crafting, fishing, camping, cooking, traveling, and working out.
Brittany Bradley
Effectv
Effectv
Brittany Bradley
Senior Manager of Finance Partnerships
Brittany Bradley currently holds a position in Strategic Finance focusing on partnerships support for both internal and external relationships at Effectv, a Comcast Corporation. She began her career at Comcast almost 15 years ago in Accounting and pivoted through different areas of the of the Finance organization including Finance Operations, Data Governance, and most recently Strategic Finance. This new opportunity has allowed Brittany to build upon her current partnerships, expand her network externally by working directly with Comcast’s Cable Affiliate Partners, and enhance her core Financial Planning knowledge. More recently, she has been focused on re-building the infrastructure which is used for Affiliate reporting, running strategic analysis for future agreements and negotiations, and evolving the current landscape of how it supports the business.
Brittany was born and raised in South Philadelphia, and she continues to reside there today with her husband, son, and daughter. She is a graduate of Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In her free time, she most cherishes time spent with her family, long beach days at the Jersey Shore, and yearly trips to Walt Disney World.
Evin Brown
Effectv
Effectv
Evin Brown
Senior Manager Solution Architect
Evin Brown, Senior Manager Solution Architect for Comcast Effectv, is a dedicated and passionate problem solver and facilitative servant leader with a broad technical background. During her 16 years with Comcast, she has gained a breadth and depth of knowledge in telecommunication systems, development lifecycles, and product development. She has a passion for helping other women in technology, and currently sits on the TECHWomen Board of Comcast, Philadelphia chapter.
She received a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in Biology. Her studies allowed her to expand her skills in understanding and breaking down complex biological systems and build her passion in environmental conservancy. Shortly after graduation, she started working for Comcast as a Quality Assurance Test Engineer, using her qualitative analytical skills in technology.
After shifting to a leadership role for Comcast’s digital streaming Content Management team, she obtained her Master of Science in Software Engineering from Villanova University.
For the past five years, she has been working at Effectv, Comcast Advertising where she gained knowledge and confidence in her leadership skills as an Engineering Manager. Three years ago, she extended those skills into Product Management. There she was able to create products by combining her technology awareness, collaborative nature, and problem-solving skills enabling Effectv’s operational support of the Ad Technology transition to IP and addressable audience functionality. She is now strengthening and broadening her skills within the Solution Architecture Team. She lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband and two children.
Darla Cigainero
Cable One (Sparklight Advertising)
Cable One (Sparklight Advertising)
Darla Cigainero
Director of Advertising Sales
Darla Cigainero is the Director of Advertising Sales for Cable One (Sparklight Advertising). As Director of Sales, she oversees the entire division with regions across the United States. In this role she is leading the division through a full digital transformation known as Ad Sales 2.0. Prior to her current role she served as Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast Texas/Southwest Oklahoma markets. She has over thirty-nine years of sales and sales leadership experience and is skilled in design and execution of effective programs.
Darla serves actively in her community as a volunteer. She served on the Kiwanis Club of Texarkana board of directors for over nine years and during that time she held the titles of Vice President and President. Outside of Kiwanis she served on Texarkana Resources for the Disabled, Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas. She volunteers for Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Texarkana, Operation Christmas Child, Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept Community Outreach, and Texarkana Baptist Children’s Home.
Darla attends Arizona State University where she is studying Digital Audiences from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Being a life-long learner, she is an avid reader of personal and professional development books. She has attended many sales training and leadership courses such as: Dale Carnegie Effective Communications and Sales Advantage, Leadership Texarkana, and Center for Creative Leadership.
Shenny Clisset
Spectrum Enterprise
Spectrum Enterprise
Shenny Clisset
Director of the Transformation Management Office
Shenny Clisset is the Director of the Transformation Management Office at Spectrum Enterprise, focused on driving successful adoption of business changes across the organization through a structured, proactive approach. She leads a team of change managers and communication specialists whose mission is to create an environment where everyone feels empowered, supported, and invested in their work, regardless of role or level within the organization.
Shenny started her career with Spectrum in 2017 and has leveraged her broad experience in business operations, program management, change management, knowledge management, and internal communications to build a program from the ground up that ensures employee’s success in an ever-changing environment.
Before joining Spectrum, Shenny spent 8 years with the furniture retailer based in San Francisco, Restoration Hardware (RH), starting as a frontline manager in the retail stores, then holding various positions in the company including Store Operations and Expansion and Supply Chain Project Management. As result of working her up through various roles, Shenny has a in incredible passion to drive company growth and client satisfaction through the employee’s lens, which sets the foundation for everything she does.
Shenny lives with her husband and “zoo” of animals in Charlotte, NC. When she’s not just relaxing at home, she loves trying out the newest restaurants in town.
Amy Conyers
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Amy Conyers
Senior Manager of Email and Direct Mail Marketing
Amy Conyers brings more than 18 years of experience in B2B and B2C Email and Direct Mail marketing in multichannel environments to her role as Sr. Manager of Email and Direct Mail Marketing for Comcast Business. In this role, Amy is responsible for strategy, execution and deployment of email and direct mail communications for both the SMB and Mid-Market/Enterprise segments, including lifecycle marketing, lead nurturing, automated nurture programs, special offers, upsell/cross sell and direct response. All to drive continued business opportunities and revenue for Comcast Business. She also manages and develops 2 direct reports who assists her in these efforts.
Prior to joining Comcast Business in 2017, Amy worked for Xerox and Toys R Us and has enjoyed the variety of brands she’s been able to work for, as each presented its own set of challenges to work through. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics from Skidmore College and an M.B.A. in Marketing from Howard University. When not at work, Amy enjoys playing tennis, traveling, concerts and spending time with family and friends.
Caroline Counter
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Caroline Counter
Director of Current Customer Marketing
Caroline Counter is a high-performing, dynamic marketing leader with more than 20 years of corporate and agency experience in global marketing communications and brand strategy.
Caroline is currently director of Current Customer Marketing at Cox Communications. In this role, she leads marketing strategy, campaign planning and targeted program development across three pillars of focus – the launch of Cox Mobile, all mover activity (including new customer relationship connects, seasonal and transferring customers), and driving revenue within the based (through upgrade, uptier, entertainment and ancillaries).
Additionally, Caroline led marketing strategy and advertising for Cox Homelife and was a key driver behind the brand repositioning where every customer interaction and communication was being reimagined to align with the new brand strategy.
Prior to joining Cox in 2018, Caroline spent 10 years at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) where she led global brand communications for IHG’s upscale brands – InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo.
Whether at work or at home, Caroline has a talent for bringing people together and managing complex programs with flexibility and efficiency along with a healthy dose of perspective and positive energy.
She spends her free time with her husband Jacob, two girls Ella (8) and Whitney (6) and their big ol’ white fully Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees rescue, Riggins (4). Originally from North Carolina by way of Botswana (Southern Africa), Caroline gets her fill of passport stamps by visiting family around the globe.
Kristine Cucurello
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Kristine Cucurello
Senior Manager of Direct Marketing
Hi, I’m Krissy Cucurello. I grew up in Orange, CT and went to college at Syracuse University. (Big Syracuse basketball fan!) As a Psychology and Advertising major, I was always curious as to what made people tick and what influenced human behavior.
Post college, I began my career in direct marketing at a small, privately owned media agency in Greenwich CT. Some of my clients were J. Crew, Birkenstock and Oriental Trading Company and the focus of my position was to sell mailing lists to these companies with the end goal in mind of getting new customers to respond to their catalog offerings.
My next career move was to Wine Enthusiast in Westchester, NY. This was a fun company to work for, (lots of wine tastings!) and it was here that I was able to begin work in digital marketing, primarily focusing on email marketing.
In my late 20s, I relocated to Delray Beach, FL where I worked for Levenger; focusing on both catalog and email marketing, as well as Office Depot corporate where I was responsible for all website personalization and A/B testing experiences to optimize engagement and sales. Living in South Florida for 6 years was a huge growth opportunity. I didn’t know anyone in the area when I relocated, and I built strong personal and professional relationships during my time there.
I moved back to the northeast 5 years ago and have been working with Charter Communications on managing process and optimizing their direct mail and email efforts in both the residential and small-medium business verticals. Here, I have really built up my presentation skills as preparing PowerPoint decks and speaking to people is something I really enjoy. I’m also motivated by my collaborative team and am finding it very rewarding to manage a direct report.
Deidre D’Asaro
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Deidre D’Asaro
Senior Manager of HR Portals & Knowledge
Deidre D’Asaro is a digital experience professional with more than twenty-six years in telecommunications and media industries. She is an expert in HR content and knowledge management, including the strategic and creative use of new technology to support self service and reduce transactions.
Deidre’s current role is Senior Manager HR Portals & Knowledge for Cox Communications. In this role she leads a team responsible for aligning, maintaining and growing knowledge/content tools in support of HR and Cox’s strategic objectives. In 2022 she launched HR’s chatbot/virtual assistant initiative, which uses conversational artificial intelligence to anticipate and understand the various ways people ask HR reference questions. For 10 years she has represented HR portals and communication on key projects and tool initiatives, including refreshes of PeopleSoft, ServiceNow and the recent launch of Workday. She spearheaded the analytics-driven approach of myHR, the most-used employee-facing content on Cox’s award-winning intranet, CoxOne, and provided core support during the recent move to SharePoint Modern.
Prior to joining Cox Communications, Deidre spent 10 years at Cox Media Group/AJC, and another six years before that at Tribune Media/South Florida Sun Sentinel. She has held multiple leadership roles in newsrooms overseeing design and graphics teams and special projects resulting in award-winning work for print and digital.
Deidre earned her Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Florida with a B.A in English. She resides in Dunwoody, GA, with her husband, collects old books and funny-looking plants, and enjoys numerous pets bequeathed by her son, now in college.
Jennifer Epstein
Comcast
Comcast
Jennifer Epstein
Director, Human Resources
Jen Epstein is currently a Human Resources Director at Comcast in the Technology, Product and Xperience (TPX) team. TPX is focused on designing, developing and supporting innovative products and services that bring internet, TV and voice to more than 33 million residential and business customers while ensuring the network speed and capacity that customers rely on to stay connected to what matters most.
In her current role, Jen and her team are responsible for partnering with business leaders on people strategies including identifying strategic priorities, culture, DEI, advancement opportunities and equity. Jen has been with Comcast for 11 years and prides herself on her positive attitude and company knowledge.
In her previous role, she worked at a transportation solutions company supporting technicians nationwide.
Jen lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her, husband and two dogs. Her son is a college student. Jen is an avid reader, a knitter and Peloton rider.
April Etchart
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
April Etchart
Director of HRBP
April Etchart is a Director, HR Business Partner supporting People Solutions and the broader HR Business Partnerships organization at Cox Communications. In this capacity, April provides HRBP support for the Chief People Officer and her organization, and coordinates process improvement, strategy and operations support across the HR Business Partnerships organization. April has almost 15 years of experience across various Human Resources functions, including HR Business Partnership, People Analytics, Talent and Succession Management, Career Development, Performance Management, Compliance, and Talent Acquisition, in addition to Process Improvement, Design Thinking and M&A experience across various teams. April has worked across several industries including Retail, Banking & Finance, Hospitality, Media and Telecommunications. April is also finishing her MBA through Capella University this April. When she isn’t working, she teaches at her church, volunteers at the Red Cross and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, James (8) and Riley (6), and her dog, Carter. She spent two years on the board of the Dolvin Foundation which focused on providing technology and resources for STEM education at Dolvin Elementary in Fulton County, GA. She has also acted in a few short films, one of which her husband received a “Best Cinematography” award for from a small film festival in 2018.
Alicia Gable
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Alicia Gable
Senior Manager of Contract Compliance – Enterprise Sales
As a Senior Contact Manager for Enterprise Sales at Comcast, Alicia is responsible for a team who provides legal advice and guidance to the sales organization and executives. She is also responsible for examining customer-requested revisions to service agreements, delivery schedules, terms and pricing to ensure completeness and accuracy, while managing the field sales organization regarding expectations for services. Further, she provides subject matter guidance to employees as required and develops processes and procedures to drive department efficiencies. She assists in development and meeting of, departmental budget, develops financial and operational objectives, and contributes to functional strategy development.
Prior to joining Comcast, she worked at Oracle America, Inc, for ten years providing contract management support to the engineering services business unit, as well as, providing operational support, training and assistance to the North America Consulting organization. She also provided Master the Consulting Deal training to various internal personnel.
In these roles, she has developed extensive experience in sales support, contract management and operational support. Additionally, she has been responsible for driving sales effectiveness and policy changes to improve customer and internal stakeholders’ expectations.
Alicia attended the University of Maryland at College Park where she obtained her B.A and Seton Hall University School of Law where she obtained her J.D. She is currently barred in New Jersey and New York.
In addition to her professional endeavors, she is also the Board of the Young Men’s Service League and serves as the VP of Philanthropy.
Xiaofei Gao
FreeWheel
FreeWheel
Xiaofei Gao
Manager of the Data Engineering Team
I am Xiaofei, currently serving as the manager of the data engineering team at FreeWheel. Over the past 8 years, I have developed a broad range of skills and expertise while working at FreeWheel, starting as a front-end engineer and later transitioning to back-end engineer, tech lead, and finally, an engineering manager. My journey from an engineer to a manager was driven by my desire to help others grow and reach their full potential, particularly women engineers.
As a leader, I believe in fostering an open, collaborative, and supportive work environment where my team members can thrive. With a remote team, I am committed to building an inclusive and comfortable team culture that encourages open communication and feedback. I believe in empowering my team to take ownership of their work and make meaningful contributions to our organization.
I am excited to join the Rising Leaders Program and learn from other talented women leaders. I believe that this program will provide me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills, and to connect with other individuals who share my passion for leadership and empowering women in the ad tech industry.
Sienna Green Puryear
Comcast
Comcast
Sienna Green Puryear
Director of Product for Customer & Digital Experience
Sienna Green Puryear entered the workforce to explore her passion for non-profit fundraising and development based on dedication to the community and the importance of giving back instilled in her by her mother. It was her 8-year tenure at the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey where she learned the significance of fostering and nurturing strong relationships; as well as truly caring about internal and external customer needs.
These foundational principles are what make Sienna the dynamic customer-centric leader that she is today. Currently serving as Director of Product for Customer & Digital Experience at Comcast Business, she is driven by sincere empathy even in challenging environments. She continues to put herself in the customer’s shoes no matter how big or small and takes pride in providing innovative products, best-in-class experiences, and bespoke scalable solutions that address the heart of the problem. Sienna develops and inspires teams to incorporate these same values and work ethic.
Her professional mantra is “find a need, fill a need” and she’s done that throughout her career in various industries from not-for-profit, to finance and now in telecommunications while always putting customers first and delivering service excellence no matter the complexity of the situation.
Tammina Hart
Comcast
Comcast
Tammina Hart
Senior Manager of Project Management – Big South
Tammina Hart is Senior Manager, Project Management in Comcast’s fastest growing region, the Big South. In this role, she is focused on growing the region’s footprint through Network Expansion and improving the performance of the organization through projects that are centered around Business Services, Video, and Growth and Operations. She has been with Comcast for 4 years supporting the region’s amazing work teams through project management, process improvements, and change management. Tammina serves in several Employee Resource Groups within her organization. She sits on the National Advisory Council for the Women’s Network and holds a leadership role in the OUT ERG. Tammina is also a member of the region’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She serves as Senior Director of Partnerships for The WICT Network Southeast Chapter. Tammina also serves as a mentor for rising leaders within Comcast.
Prior to her time at Comcast, Tammina held roles in Wireline Installation and Maintenance for Sprint and Level 3 Communications. She has also worked in the project management space with telecommunications clients at AT&T and T-Mobile.
Tammina earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Louisiana State University – Shreveport and completed her bachelor’s studies from Kennesaw State University.
Tina Helms
INSP
INSP
Tina Helms
Media Relations Manager
Tina Helms holds the position of Media Relations Manager for general entertainment television network INSP and for Imagicomm Entertainment, a content distribution subsidiary of the network. Prior to her current role, she was the Director of Public Relations for a healthcare advocacy group in Roanoke, Virginia; a freelance writer for numerous publications, including LiveStrong; and the evening news anchor in her hometown of Martinsville, Virginia.
Tina is an active volunteer in her community, co-chairing the Ambassador program of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and spearheading the formation of the Chamber’s Young Professionals Committee. In January 2023, Tina was named the 2022 Ambassador of the Year at the organization’s annual soiree, a distinction awarded by her Chamber colleagues and peers. She is a graduate of Leadership Lancaster, a 9-month program designed to identify and equip up-and-coming leaders in Lancaster County SC.
As a member of the Charlotte Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, Tina was the 2022 Chair of the PRSA Queen City PR Awards and 2021 Co-Chair. In 2022, she served on the PRSA Charlotte Board of Directors as Director-at-Large. She also is a member of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC).
When not engaged in work and community activities, Tina enjoys hiking, painting, reading, travelling, and spending time with friends. She is an avid animal lover and is “mom” to an unlikely pair; a Pit Bull-Lab mix and precocious tabby cat.
Elizabeth Hoch
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Elizabeth Hoch
Supervisor of Content Operations
Elizabeth Hoch is the Supervisor for Content Operations at A+E Television Networks. Liz’s main responsibility is content preparation and readiness. She also serves as the main point of contact for internal departments across multiple functional areas. Liz acts as a liaison between a variety of internal and external teams and is often challenged to ensure projects and directives stay on task. At any moment, Liz is likely engaging with multiple teams in her organization to ensure content gets to where it needs to go and on-time, while prepping for the next deal.
Liz looks towards the future and building new, efficient, and effective workflows that benefit the enterprise.
In her previous role as an International Producer, Liz honed her skills with an eye on the global market. This skillset allowed for a seamless transition to supervising many aspects of global distribution for Content Operations.
Liz attended Rider University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences, with a concentration of Radio and Television.
Outside of work, Liz enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering, and reading.
Amber Kendall
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Amber Kendall
Senior Manager of Program Management
Amber Kendall is a Leader of Program/Portfolio Management, that supports the Communications Portfolio at Comcast Business. She is a servant leader that creates safe environments so that teams can be successful and deliver high quality work on time and within budget. She began her career in the financial industry where she gained a ton of experience in Commercial Lending, Regulatory and Compliance, and Systems Analysis and Design. After 11 years in the banking industry, she decided to take on a new challenge and moved into the Telecom industry at Comcast Business and has been there for the last 8 years. During her tenure with Comcast Business, she has driven large initiatives that deliver unmatched customer experiences.
In addition to her primary job functions Amber is a leader for the Indigenous Employee Resource Group at Comcast to advocate, educate and inspire Indigenous people and Ally’s. Additionally, she is a part of the Comcast HQ mentorship program and has provided mentorship to mentees at various levels for the last 3 years. Overall, Amber is a motivated individual that takes pride in helping others achieve their goals.
Rachel Leva
NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal
Rachel Leva
Senior Manager of Partner Marketing
Rachel Leva is a Senior Manager at NBCUniversal in the Content Distribution Marketing department. She is looking forward to the Rising Leaders Program to build her leadership skills while networking with other leaders across the industry.
Angela Lewinson
Paramount Global
Paramount Global
Angela Lewinson
Senior Director of Finance
A CPA and highly experienced Sr. Finance Director, Angela Lewinson, has over 20 years of media and entertainment industry experience with roles covering financial P&L reporting, cash flow analysis, short-term and long-term forecasting, and day-to-day financial operations. She has held various positions in the media industry, including Sr. Finance Director Marketing Finance at Paramount Global, Finance Director at Viacom International Media Networks, and Finance Manager at Home Box Office, Inc. Angela has a proven track record of success in developing content marketing media mix models, identifying cost savings opportunities, and creating key financial performance metrics. She has also been an instrumental contributor in the launch of new line of businesses, streamlining and standardizing ancillary & digital businesses financial reporting packages, and preparing comprehensive sales forecasts and trend analysis for global licensing senior executives. Angela is a highly motivated leader who has managed, mentored, and developed teams of 5-7 finance professionals. She is also an excellent communicator who has regularly discussed strategic business decisions with senior executives and external partners. Prior to her current roles, Angela worked as an Auditor at KPMG Assurance Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Donna Livingston
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Donna Livingston
Director of Federal Government Marketing Strategy
Donna is a results-driven marketing, business development and advertising executive with 20 years’ experience in creating and executing B2C, B2B and B2G campaigns on a regional, national and international level. Currently, Director of Fed Gov Marketing Strategy, Comcast Business where she is tasked with developing and executing the end-to-end marketing strategies for the new Federal Government business unit and driving awareness, demand gen and sales enablement. Donna also leads the Marketing organization’s Net Promoter System (NPS) team.
Previously, Donna was the Regional Marketing Director, Comcast Business where she led a team of GTM, sales enablement & business development professionals. Here she attended the Half the Sky Leadership Development Program (2017 Graduate), was awarded Comcast’s Passion, Ownership & Excellence Award (2016), recipient of Comcast Business’ Above & Beyond Award (2015) and was tasked with developing and managing a cross functional change management organization. Donna also held various additional marketing roles inside of Comcast & Xfinity business units.
Prior to joining Comcast, Donna was the Sr. Manager, Product Marketing for AOL Video & AOL Radio. Here, she led the launch of their first international campaign and was the lead marketer for their integrated software partner.
Donna also spent time at RCN as Manager, Marketing Communications where she led brand development and execution for their TV and online tactics and was product lead for their Hispanic Tier launch. She also led their corporate nationwide United Way campaign which donated $1M in PSA inventory.
Prior to RCN, Donna spent time at Discovery Networks as Account Manager, Central Region in the Affiliate Advertising Sales organization and helped affiliates position the Discovery brands to advertisers.
Donna got her start in the cable industry with EffecTV in their Advertising Sales marketing team where she was hired to creatively add revenue for advertisers, receiving numerous awards for her campaigns.
Donna graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Marketing. Originally from Johnstown, PA she now resides in Ashburn, VA with her husband and two daughters. She loves to volunteer with Capital Theater on Ice and travel around the country watching her daughter’s roller and ice figure skating competitions
Kim Long
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Kim Long
Manager of Partner Relationships and Operations
Always on the move, Kim has gained grit and determination from working in the fast-paced telecommunications industry for two decades and mothering an active family, including two very lively young ladies and a vocal dachshund. She is a native Virginian with a passion for glamping, outdoor sports, travel and the beach. Multifaceted and reliable, she’s a seasoned Telecommunications professional with international and domestic experience in the industry, striving for the best business experience by emphasizing partnerships and developing critical relationships across the industry.
Emily Madigan
Effectv
Effectv
Emily Madigan
Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives
Emily Madigan is a Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives within the Strategic Operations team at Effectv, a Comcast Company. In this role, she is responsible for scoping, planning and creating strategic initiative plans for key challenges and opportunities to Effectv’s business, ensuring effective, long-term revenue growth.
Ruchi Mahajan
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Ruchi Mahajan
Director of Product Management
Ruchi Mahajan is a business and technology leader at Cox Communications, currently leading product strategy and development for Fixed Wireless Access. Over the last 17 years at Cox, Ruchi has led multiple initiatives serving varied customer segments to drive business growth. She is passionate about creating meaningful, best in class experiences leveraging consumer insights and transforming them into growth opportunities.
Over the past 20+ years, Ruchi has carved a reputation for building creative solutions for complex problems. She is especially proud of the impact on unserved and underserved communities through creation of innovative business models and products. Ruchi is an empathetic leader and works to empower and nurture her team to build trust and skills that can drive change.
Ruchi champions education and diversity initiatives especially women empowerment, and gender inclusivity and volunteers her time teaching, supporting her local high school band program, and mentoring early career employees.
Christina Marino
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Christina Marino
Senior Manager of Social Analytics
Christina Marino, a Washington D.C. area native, made her way to New York in 2015 where she started her career in organic and paid social media analytics at Horizon Media Inc. On the Advertising side of the industry, she was exposed to the early boom of social marketing working across a variety of brands including; CPG, Entertainment, and Health brands. Leveraging her degree in Sociology she moved to the social listening side of the business where she evaluated cultural trends, brand awareness, and niche audience discovery through social conversation. In 2019 she transitioned from the agency side to the brand side joining A+E Networks where she currently serves as the Senior Manager of Social Analytics. In her current role she oversees reporting to support monetization across platforms like YouTube and Snapchat (her purview will soon expand to include TikTok). She keeps a pulse on macro cultural trends and “flash in the pan” moments on social media in support of helping stakeholders understand the broader cultural zeitgeist. Additionally, she uses psychographic and demographic analysis to identify unique audience spaces in and outside of the business.
Christina is passionate about research personally and professionally. She enjoys reading for pleasure, her current favorite book is The Fourth Turning, and running – she is hoping to qualify for the New York half-marathon next year! She is a stepmother to a smart 10-year-old and resides just outside of Manhattan.
Linda Martin
AudienceXpress
AudienceXpress
Linda Martin
Director of Advanced TV Sales
I am currently the Director of Advanced TV Sales at AudienceXpress (a Comcast Company). At AudienceXpress we deliver ads wherever viewers watch, across every screen and format, nationwide. I am responsible for generating ad sales revenue for the company and take a consultative approach in helping my clients achieve their marketing strategies. I have a proven ability to enhance growth, increase revenue, and attract and retain clients, consistently meeting and exceeding sales and budget goals. I have been working in the advertising business for over 20 years having begun my career on the agency side and then moved over to sales. I have successfully helped clients plan and implement media strategies by utilizing data and analytics to help guide their decision making through my various roles at Initiative, A&E Networks, Metro Networks, Cadent and currently at AudienceXpress. I have experience in Cable/Broadcast, Data-Driven Linear, Unwired and CTV/OTT. I build, motivate, and lead high-performance teams that consistently exceed revenue targets and goals. I am eager to continuously learn and keep up to date in this ever-evolving advertising industry.
Meghan Martin Kern
Comcast
Comcast
Meghan Martin Kern
Director of Business and Market Development
Meghan is passionate about asking the right questions and connecting the dots that others cannot see to remove barriers and supercharge innovation while building trust and practicing an inclusive and transparent leadership style. Meghan has held several leadership positions in her 20+ year career. In her current role as the Central Division Business and Market Development Director she is focused on operational excellence, revenue growth acceleration and enhancing the internal and external customer experiences for teams supporting network expansion.
Early in her career in the Western Michigan market, she established effective acquisition, competitive, and retention marketing strategies and later developed workforce management strategies to support technical operations with a 54-person fulfillment team.
In the Heartland Region, she planned and executed customer experience and field operations projects. In residential sales operations Meghan managed projects to drive revenue and subscriber growth, optimized processes, and change management strategies, and established the small property sales team.
Meghan received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Purdue University and her master’s degree in organizational leadership and project Management from University of Arizona Global Campus. She is a long-time member in The WICT Network and several Comcast employee resource groups.
In 2022 Meghan completed the Half The Sky leadership program, in 2017 she received The WICT Network Great Lakes Chapter Edye Bonno Emerging Leader Award, and she is an alum of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Leadership Seminar.
Outside of work, Meghan is actively involved in addressing food insecurity with children in her community. Her happy place is spending time outdoors, on her yoga mat and reading. Meghan and her husband, Richard, live in Grand Rapids, MI with daughters Paige, Mikey, and Leona.
Tanya McKee
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Tanya McKee
Senior Account Executive
Tanya is a Senior Account Executive in the Media & Entertainment business unit at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she works with both public and commercial media organizations. She leads a dedicated Account Team to help customers achieve their vision for Broadcast, Content Creation, Media Supply Chain, Direct-to-Consumer, and Data Science and Analytics.
Tanya’s decade of IT sales experience has equipped her with the leadership skills, focus, and deep understanding of customers’ business needs to deliver strong results. She is passionate about helping companies innovate and accelerate their digital transformation journeys. Her industry and business acumen, coupled with her drive, enable the success of her customers and business partners.
Tanya’s leadership extends beyond her career, as she is an active mentor and volunteer contributor to strategic partnerships for local non-profits. She is passionate about advancing women into new opportunities and is committed to empowering others through organizations such as Girls Inc DC, Built by Girls, the University of Florida Alumni Association, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the United Way.
Throughout her career, Tanya has built and led high-impact sales teams. She has spoken at global events, highlighting her teams’ accomplishments and serving as a passionate advocate for her customers. Her dedication to customer satisfaction and transparent approach makes her a valuable asset to any project.
Holly McLean
Paramount Global
Paramount Global
Holly McLean
Senior Director of Deal Finance Strategy
Holly McLean Lim is a Senior Director of Deal Finance Strategy within Paramount Global’s U.S. Networks Distribution team. Holly is responsible for facilitating the economics of content distribution to maximize revenue for Paramount and for supporting company-wide strategic initiatives.
Prior to Paramount, Holly served as a Manager at AMC Networks in strategic finance where she was responsible for the financial analyses of distribution deals across MVPD, vMVPD, SVOD and AVOD partners, while also working on AMC’s streaming strategy. She started her career in investment banking at Deutsche Bank, supporting the execution of over $3 billion in aggregate transactions.
Holly holds a B.A. in Public Policy with a certificate in Markets & Management and a minor in English from Duke University. She is on the Junior Advisory Board for the Cornelia Connelly Center, an all-girls school in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Holly lives in Manhattan with her husband and enjoys music and traveling in her spare time.
Amelia Merritt
Freewheel
Freewheel
Amelia Merritt
US Customer Success Team Lead at Beeswax
Amelia currently leads the US Customer Success Team for Beeswax at Freewheel. Beeswax is a Demand Side Platform that works with digital advertisers to run programmatic campaigns. She has been at Freewheel for two years and prior to that, worked at Beeswax (Beeswax was acquired by Freewheel in 2021). Before Beeswax, Amelia worked with publishers as a Client Services Manager at TripleLift, a programmatic native exchange. Amelia is currently based in New York City and lives for the thrill of competitive cooking shows. She is currently learning to play the cello and has just about nailed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Izabelle Milicia
STARZ
STARZ
Izabelle Milicia
Manager of Distribution
I’m an MBA graduate and an international media professional with over 15 years of industry experience having worked at: Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount, and now STARZ. I’m a Southern California native; my alma mater is the University of Southern California (USC), where I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication. Shortly after, I was admitted to an International MBA program at the University of Westminster in London, UK that allowed me to study in both London and in Bremen, Germany. Upon receiving my master’s degree, I started my international media career at Warner Bros Discovery in London. Fast forward 15 years, I’m now based in New York City working in Affiliate Marketing at STARZ. In 2020, I became a mother, I navigated through new motherhood whilst maintaining a career during the height of the pandemic in NYC. I’ve learned to value family and work life balance, and at the same time continue to strive for career progression and my own personal growth.
It’s an absolute honor to have been chosen to participate in the 2023 WICT Rising Leaders Program. I look forward to connecting with the other emerging women leaders in my group. I’m ready to learn, to be inspired, and to come back a better, stronger version of myself to the workplace.
Claire Nobles
Comcast
Comcast
Claire Nobles
Program Manager 5
Claire Nobles has experience in the Cable and Telecommunications, finance, and education industries. She started as Customer Service Representative and then became an MIS Coordinator. Transitioning to a new career path, she moved into Software Quality Assurance and Test, then moved into Project Management and Program Management. She is currently a Program Manager in the cyber security organization at Comcast. While at Comcast, she has been involved in the Calvary and Theft of Service programs and is currently engaged in efforts related to fraud prevention. A graduate of Regis University, she earned a B.S. in Business Administration. Claire and her husband moved to Wyoming in the middle of 2021. Their high-energy 17-month-old Belgian Malinois lab mix keeps them busy by exploring the area.
Alena Panin
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Alena Panin
Director of Program Research
Alena Panin is the Director of Program Research for the Lifetime Network at A+E Networks, home of A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime, LMN, FYI, and VICE. In her role, Alena leverages audience data and transforms it into actionable insights to inform business decisions and strategies for multiple divisions across the company. She works closely with various teams including Programming, Strategy, Marketing, PR, Finance and International to help steer the network and company towards growth. Additionally, Alena is a mentor in the You, Me & A+E mentoring program, a member of Women at A+E ERG, and a graduate of A+E Networks’ Betsy Magness based leadership mentoring program, SPARK.
Alena has built a strong research background throughout her 10+ year career in the industry. Prior to joining A+E Networks in 2017, Alena worked at broadcast networks FOX and ABC, and got her career start in media research with an internship at Nielsen. She holds a BBA and MBA from Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business where she worked as a Graduate Research Assistant during her MBA studies.
Alena resides in Long Island, NY with her husband and rescue dog, Loki. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, and teaching Zumba classes.
Lisa Peck Webster
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Lisa Peck Webster
Director of Marketing, Unified Customer Communications
Lisa is Director of Unified Customer Communications (UCC) for Cox Communications. She is an enterprise-wide program lead, overseeing the development of clear and impactful 1:1 customer marketing and operational communications strategies that support brand, customer experience and business goals.
Lisa joined Cox in 1996, serving in various Field Operations and Marketing roles leading regional product launches, state-wide pricing and bundling strategies, and designing sales incentives. In 2012, Lisa shifted her focus to national Customer Lifecycle Strategy, building customer onboarding, education, and upgrade marketing campaigns to drive revenue and reduce churn.
Her passion for customer-centric communications led to her current role in 2019. She developed Cox’s first company-wide Communications Governance Model to improve transparency and collaboration across strategy teams and stood up a new communications standards playbook to drive best-in-class communications. She also leads communications “reimagining” initiatives across high-impact use cases to reduce customer friction and drive business value.
Lisa received her undergraduate degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix. Over the last two decades, she has dedicated much of her time to formal and informal mentoring relationships with Cox colleagues and local college students – championing continuous learning in and outside of work. Lisa is also an active member Cox’s Women’s ERG (EmpowHER) where she also serves as Mentoring Circle Leader. Lisa recently relocated to Atlanta after living up and down the West coast her entire life. She loves to travel and now has the entire Southeast to explore!
Rekha Peruvemba
Paramount+
Paramount+
Rekha Peruvemba
Director of Product
I am a Software Product Development professional with more than twenty years experience designing, developing, and implementing software products. I got my start as an engineer and while I have worked in several industries, I found early on that the fast-paced, highly technical Media & Entertainment industry was the best fit for me. After leading a team of software engineers at NBC Universal, I discovered my passion for all things product: streamlining workflows, enabling teams to scale to great heights, and using emerging technology to stay ahead of the curve. My core philosophy is centered around delivering products that empower users to do great work. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work at Sony, CAA and Crackle, and each role has taught me a new facet of the industry. My specialty is in Rights, Asset and Metadata Management, and today I lead a Product team at Paramount+ focused on consolidating toolsets and standardizing processes, which will in turn facilitate our operational teams to support ever-expanding streaming needs.
Danielle Piazza
Spectrum Reach
Spectrum Reach
Danielle Piazza
Director, Learning Solutions
Danielle Piazza is the Director of Learning Solutions for Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales division of Charter Communications. Ms. Piazza leads a team responsible for developing and delivering core training initiatives for all employees, including onboarding, sales training for a team of 1,600, all product launches and enhancements, technical/operational infrastructure implementations, and skills development for all levels of staff. Under her leadership, the organization receives optimized learning solutions, leveraging a variety of different modalities to engage adult learners while meeting the priority demands of a given initiative.
Before joining Charter, she represented Key Bank’s education portfolio to Universities and Colleges in the Midwest. She joined our industry in 2012, serving as an Account Executive in the Cleveland/Akron market, supporting advertisers and agencies on multi-media solutions to meet their business goals. In 2017, Ms. Piazza transitioned from Sales into Human Resources, earning her role as a Senior Media Sales Trainer with the Spectrum Reach Learning team.
Ms. Piazza holds ATD Master Trainer Designation, DDI Facilitator Certification, PSS Facilitator Certification, IAB Digital Media Sales Certification and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Dayton.
Jennifer Pittenger
Comcast Advertising
Comcast Advertising
Jennifer Pittenger
Sales Director of Advanced Media
Jennifer Pittenger serves as a Sales Director at Comcast Advertising. She is a 15-year veteran in the media advertising space with expertise as a sales leader. She holds a wealth of knowledge across CTV, programmatic, linear television, digital video, mobile, native, custom content, and social. Valued by past and present colleagues as a strategic thinker and strong team player, who thrives in environments where people work together to push the limits.
In her current role, Jennifer builds deep relationships across brands and agencies with her ability to create long term relationships that drive business results. Jennifer’s focus in recent years has been Xumo, a free ad-supported streaming service (FAST), where she became a subject matter expert in CTV. She develops Xumo’s sales strategy and has exceeded sales goals through creating products, establishing agency partnerships, and solving client’s needs.
Prior to Xumo and Comcast Advertising, Jennifer spent several years on the publisher side, where she held client service and sales roles, working with brands across multiple industry verticals. She sold predominately large custom content sponsorship and programmatic digital video. Jennifer began her career at an agency, Horizon Media, where she was a strong negotiator who worked to secure multi-million-dollar media plans.
Jennifer lives in Long Island with her husband and identical twin girls. She loves the beach and to surround herself with family and friends.
Pawan Randhawa
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Pawan Randhawa
Director of Integrated Technologies
Pawan Randhawa is the Director of Integration Technologies at Charter Communications. In her role, she is responsible for strategic direction, vision, growth and performance of software testing and platform support teams. She is continuously recognized for reliably delivering projects through building high performance teams and ensuring that business objectives are fulfilled.
She started her career as an engineer at Time Warner Cable in 2008. As she gained technical expertise, she went on to lead projects like Remote DVR, Caller ID, Video on Demand across various markets. In 2015, she took her first position in a leadership role as a Sr. manager, extending the scope of her expertise to encompass both technical and strategic areas. She brings a wide array of technical expertise in various cable technologies spanning across video and networking platforms.
Pawan holds a Master’s degree in Industrial technology from California State University, Fresno and a Bachelor’s of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Monica Rivera
Hallmark Media
Hallmark Media
Monica Rivera
Account Executive
Monica Rivera is a New York based Account Executive at Hallmark Media, representing Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, and their digital and social platforms. She is a top preforming sales executive among her peers, bringing over eighteen years of advertising experience. Throughout her career she has developed and maintained strong relationships centered on trust with her agencies and clients, which has led to her successfully driving $65M+ worth of annual revenue for Hallmark Media.
Prior to Hallmark, Monica has been fortunate to have worked for some amazing companies (Active International, Oxygen, ESPN, Nickelodeon, and Reelz), terrific sales teams, and incredible leaders to which she attributes much of her success. She offers a wide range of knowledge including buying, linear and digital sales (both in-language and Hispanic), and new business experience. As a seasoned sales executive, she prides herself on selling every demographic from men, women, kids, Hispanics, and African Americans (a new offering at Hallmark Media). Her experience and in-depth knowledge of the industry has made her a strong leader, valuable resource, and mentor to younger professionals.
Monica is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a double major in Forensic Science and Psychology. A fun fact about Monica, is that prior to working in media, she was a Forensic Scientist at the Westchester Crime Lab. She currently lives in Westchester County with her with daughter Isabella and husband Dan. When she is not working, she enjoys traveling, baking, staying active and home renovation projects.
Treslyn Roberts
Comcast
Comcast
Treslyn Roberts
Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis
Treslyn Roberts is a Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Comcast. In her current role, she supports the Enterprise and operations segments of Comcast Business. She leads a team of four and the team is responsible for forecasting and budgeting subscribers as well full P&L management of the business unit. Her favorite aspect of her job is empowering the leaders she supports with the ability to manage their budgets. This includes helping operational stakeholders identify areas of efficiency and creating analysis to prove out payback on the initiative.
Treslyn graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business administration with a concentration in Corporate Finance in 2011. She started at Comcast in 2012 and has had several roles spanning her tenure with experience in revenue, business operations, and Financial Planning and Analysis.
Treslyn resides in Colorado and enjoys the 300 days of sunshine each year. Outside of work, Treslyn enjoys skiing, running, playing golf, and spending time with her husband and one-year old son.
Tiffany Robles
Comcast
Comcast
Tiffany Robles
Senior Manager of Strategy & Operations Support
Early in January I celebrated my 10 year anniversary here at Comcast. I started as a retention agent in the Spanish Language of Excellence and then I was recruited to be part of a four person pilot program. Being the only woman on the team, it fueled me to do more and strive for more. Within a year’s time due to the pilot program’s success, it became a permanent department and I was promoted to lead and grow the team. From there I was promoted to manage the Quality program for the newly launched Xfinity Mobile product (cellphones). I was responsible to maintain the quality program aligned with the rest of the enterprise for specialized groups for voice, chat and SMS. I supported a total of 3,000 frontline agents and 200 leaders across internal and partner sites. Today as Senior Manager for National Strategy and Operations support, I manage employee engagement, reporting and insights, NPS ecosystem, coaching culture and strategic initiatives for 1170+. I am co-lead in Marketing and Communication for our Employee Resource Group Young Professional Network for 2+yrs. I am involved in Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Belonging (DE&IB) initiatives across the enterprise. My goal is to build trust with the people I lead and work with to embrace change and adopt a growth mindset. I help support event planning on our internal program focused on having an inclusive mindset and host events centered around DE&IB. Born and raised in Miami, Florida with Guatemalan heritage has given me the opportunity to be exposed to many different cultures. It has molded me into the person I am today, always having people first and an ally for the underrepresented. My family consists of my two beautiful children, Giuliana (6), Giovanni (3) and my husband Jorge Luis. My faith is a big part of my life which I volunteer my time on a weekly basis. I also served a full time mission in Panama, Panama from 2011-2012.
Stacy Ruskin
Spectrum Reach
Spectrum Reach
Stacy Ruskin
Senior Director of Finance
Stacy Ruskin is a Senior Director of Finance for Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales department of Charter Communications. Stacy has been employed by Charter Communications for 23 years and has been a part of the advertising sales department for 17 of those years. In her current role, she is responsible for directing and coordinating quarterly forecasts and the annual budget process for the sales divisions and non-sales departments within Spectrum Reach. She and her team are responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and consolidating monthly financial results and providing senior leaders with consolidated analysis of P&L impacts in order for them to make informed business decisions. She leverages her years of experience to foster relationships among other corporate departments to build and maintain relationships and encourage knowledge-sharing ideas.
She values the importance of what mentors can bring to a career and is involved in the Spectrum Reach mentoring program and currently serves as a mentor in the organization. Stacy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and also an Executive MBA from the University of Denver in Colorado.
Five years ago, she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, from Denver, Colorado, due to the Charter, Time Warner, and Brighthouse merger. She enjoys spending time exploring the various wineries and beaches in North Carolina, traveling internationally, and visiting her family back in Colorado.
Hannah Scott
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Hannah Scott
Manager of Customer Care
Hannah Scott has over 10 years of experience in the communications industry and is currently a manager for Cox Communications in Customer Experience Operations. Throughout her career, she has led teams in account services, sales, quality assurance, and technical support. Additionally, she led initiatives regarding professional development, employee enhancements, and recruiting across multiple regions. She has helped establish partnerships with local universities, increased engagement activities regarding inclusion, diversity, and equity, led multiple upskilling initiatives for both front-line employees and leaders, and helped streamline and modify processes across departments. Extremely driven and passionate, she strives to help people see their potential while building their confidence in their skillsets so that they can take actions towards achieving their goals.
Hannah has a passion for health and wellness and has found ways to incorporate it in every part of her life. She helps lead a Health Empowerment Principles channel to inspire wellness, bring awareness to company benefits, and encourage conversation, focus, and engagement. Helping others make healthy choices is an innovative way to serve and love others, ensuring that we all show up as our best selves for our company, communities, and families. As a wife and mother of 2 young daughters, she understands how much mindset and wellness can impact all parts of one’s life and those around us.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Management from Grand Canyon University that she received in June 2020, and she completed the Service Process and Innovation Certificate Program through Arizona State University in April 2021. Prior to Cox, she worked at Asurion, AAA, and Insight Global. She currently resides in Phoenix, AZ.
Nuo Sheng
Comcast
Comcast
Nuo Sheng
Director of Business Analytics
Nuo joined Comcast in June 2019, after previously served on General Electric’s Marketing team as a Market Insight & Analytics manager. She had started her career as a R&D engineer but soon found passion in business operations and data analytics. She currently leads a team of ten talented professionals who are passionate about delivering action-oriented insights and driving business process changes through advanced data analytics. In her free time, Nuo enjoys hiking, reading, making crafts with her two primary school aged daughters, and creative story writing.
Alyse Stemm
Effectv
Effectv
Alyse Stemm
Director of Sales
Alyse Stemm is the Director of Sales at Effectv. She is a result driven sale leader with over 14 years of experience growing revenue through coaching and developing people, creating strategic solutions for internal and external business partners, and building a collaborative and inclusive culture.
Alyse has held many titles throughout her career at Effectv, starting as an Account Executive, then moving into a Sales Manager, followed by Automotive Sales Manager, prior to her current role as Director of Sales. She has spent a majority of her career consulting with business owners, marketing executives, and ad agencies on developing targeted video advertising campaigns that drive results.
She is a firm believer in leading by example and believes that the best way to successfully grow and innovate in business is to consistently approach challenges with a beginner’s mindset, collaborate with people who think differently then you, and set realistic yet aggressive goals that focus on when goal will be achieved rather than if.
Alyse studied business and marketing at Eastern Michigan University. She has been married for over ten years to her husband Nick and together they have two daughters (Madelyn & Charlotte). In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and traveling.
Julianne Taft
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Julianne Taft
AVP, Execution & Operations, Market Expansion
Julianne Taft is AVP of Market Expansion Execution at Cox Communications. The Market Expansion Team was recently created to help bridge the digital divide and enable broadband for communities that are un/underserved. Julianne’s team is responsible for E2E seamless execution through continuous evolvement of an agile delivery model, data insights, and compliance. Julianne’s career has spanned multiple industries (non-profit support, telecommunications, insurance, and financial services) and organization verticals (Operations, Process, Technology, Training, and EPMO). She is an ambitious and capable leader who thrives on leading and energizing teams.
Julianne dedicates time as the Board Chair for Synchronicity Theater, a local non-profit in Atlanta that produces smart, gutsy and bold theatre to spark community connections and uplift the voices of women and girls. She also volunteers regularly in her community and with Women in Technology as the co-chair for the Women of the Year Awards. She currently resides in Roswell, Georgia with her husband, Ricky, and two boys- Parker (7) and Caleb (4). In her spare time, she loves to cook, dance, enjoy good wine, and spending quality time with family & friends.
Becky Thurlow
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Becky Thurlow
Senior Manager of Content
After earning my bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from the University of Delaware and realizing my true passions were rooted in writing rather than interviewing, I turned my sights to copywriting and haven’t looked back. My career started in the print industry with a focus on producing and editing marketing content for medical professionals; in the 15 years since, it has spanned areas from ecommerce retail to email strategy and everything in between.
Today, Comcast Business is my Professional Home. I manage a small-but-mighty team of incredibly talented UX copywriters who create the digital self-service experiences for Comcast Business customers—both small business and enterprise alike. My role is to help develop and refine the content strategy that makes our products simple to use and understand. I love diving into the technical weeds of what makes our digital portals work; translating complex scenarios into digestible, user-friendly solutions; and bringing different teams across the organization together to create the best possible customer experience. My superpower is my positivity, and I strive each day to lead with kindness.
When I’m not in my Center City Philadelphia office, I’m likely at home in Wilmington, DE wrangling a highly opinionated kindergartner and highly energetic dog. My favorite things are cooking, gardening, talking to strangers, online shopping, and trying to figure out where I can score that next pair of new shoes.
Samantha Tucker
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Samantha Tucker
Supervisor of Digital Scheduling
Samantha Tucker is the Supervisor of Digital Scheduling at A+E Networks. She manages the team responsible for creating and managing workorders to fulfill A+E’s non-linear and international distribution deals. Additionally, Samantha partners across multiple functional areas and acts as a liaison between internal teams to ensure workflows and projects execute and deliver on time. She enjoys identifying collaborative opportunities across A+E business units to drive fulfillment for current and future sales deals.
Samantha attended the University of Rhode Island where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a minor in Film Media.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling to new places. She recently moved to Austin, Texas with her fiancé and has enjoyed exploring the city and all the great food and music it has to offer.
Pauline van Rossum
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Pauline van Rossum
Director of Procurement Corporate Services
Pauline has over 20 years of experience in the Travel and Consulting industry, managing strategic
accounts in various businesses. For the past 7 years she has been with Liberty Global, in the
telecommunications industry, as a performance driven and strategically focused Procurement
professional. She currently manages the categories of Fleet, Facilities, Travel and Events and recently
took on the responsibility of leading the entire Fleet Program, from operations to strategy, to
support Liberty Global’s growth while prioritizing a greener, safer and cleaner fleet. Previously she
managed Supply Chain and Corporate offices at Liberty Global.
As a Procurement leader, Pauline manages a team of Procurement Managers and a Data Analyst,
working towards driving operational efficiencies, cost optimization programs, and value initiatives to
meet customer needs. She focuses on building relationships across functions and bringing together
people, processes, and technology to achieve results. Pauline demonstrates leadership with a “can do” mentality, showing a willingness to go above and beyond the get the job done.
Pauline and her team take an entrepreneurial and consultative approach, utilizing industry
benchmarks, domain insights, and new ways of working to create fit-to-purpose sourcing strategies
that result in compelling business cases, including clearly defined account plans to ensure successful
delivery.
Engaging and connecting with business leaders, suppliers and customers and helping others grow is
what makes her feel happy and energized!
Christy Vastola
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Christy Vastola
Senior Manager of Cyber Defense Engineering
Christy Vastola has spent her career at Cox Communications building strong relationships and improving operational support models. She has been engaged in many work streams that have been pivotal for large process improvement efforts. Her biggest career accomplishment thus far was participating in the development of the support model and the eventual stand up of the Cox Business National Support Center. She currently holds a position supporting a significant portion of the infrastructure that the Security organization utilizes.
In addition to her professional successes during her ongoing twenty-five year career at Cox Communications, she has earned her BS degree, became a primary caretaker for her ailing family member and volunteered at many events for foster children, animals and senior citizens. She has a passion for helping the underdog and enabling technology in the lives of people who could benefit from the tools.
Christy is always looking for opportunities to grow her technical and interpersonal skills. She strives to empower those that report to her to grow their skill sets as well. Success in her mind is a team that supports each other, goes above and beyond because they want to all while having fun and enjoying the work.
Erin Veltkamp
CSG International
CSG International
Erin Veltkamp
Senior Product Marketing Specialist
Erin Veltkamp is currently a Senior Product Marketing Specialist for CSG. Her role involves leading and developing strategic product marketing programs designed to advance CSG’s competitive market position and brand reputation as a customer experience leader.
Prior to joining CSG, Erin managed consulting efforts at Sterling-Rice Group, a strategic growth consultancy that works across a broad portfolio of practice areas— insights, innovation, design, branding, and advertising. There she was responsible for growing some of the world’s biggest consumer brands through repositioning, innovation, and business strategy work.
As Erin has transitioned into the world of technology, she’s passionate about bringing her customer-centric mindset to the ever-changing market landscape through bold and inventive go-to-market strategies.
Erin is a Colorado native and enjoys spending her free time trying a new restaurant, exploring a new hiking trail, or traveling to a new country.
Stacy Venanzi
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Stacy Venanzi
Senior Manager of Product Development
Stacy Venanzi is currently a Senior Manager of Product Development for Spectrum Enterprise, part of Charter Communications. In this role, her focus is on driving development of key initiatives to enhance the Enterprise Voice and Unified Communications product offerings. This includes leading the discovery and documentation of requirements and ensuring alignment across development, operations, vendors, and internal partners. She managed the requirements and development of a solution to ensure compliance with RAY BAUM’s Act, and most recently, oversaw the end-end development of a key strategic new Unified Communications product.
Before joining Charter Communications, Stacy worked for Crossfire Consulting as a consultant and Senior IT Project Manager assisting both large Fortune 100 companies as well as several smaller companies. With Crossfire, she held roles at Verizon, Medco, and North American Power, where she led the scrum transformation efforts, including coordinating large Agile multi-system projects.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University and a Master of Business Administration from New York University Stern School of Business.
She enjoys time volunteering, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. She currently resides in Connecticut with her husband, two daughters, a rescued Lab mix, and a mischievous cat
Kasey White
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Kasey White
Senior Director of OSS Technology
Kasey White is a Sr. Director in OSS Technology for Cox Communications. A privately owned company and the third largest telecommunications provider specializing in digital cable, data and home automation services. In her role, Kasey serves as a strategic leader driving the resources, planning, execution and delivery of programs, projects and platforms representing multi-millions of financial investment. Her biggest focus area is managing the IT delivery for syndicated products and services across Cox – entertainment, broadband, pano wifi, home automation, voice, email and identity management.
Since beginning her Cox journey as a contractor in 2009, Kasey has served in several roles which have prepared her for continued success. Kasey feels equipped and energized to continue to help lead Cox into the future. In addition to her daily responsibilities, she enjoys mentoring and advocating for other future female leaders within technology and beyond.
Kasey is a graduate of Georgia State University, having completed a dual degree program in Business Administration and Marketing. She also earned her MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. Kasey is a member of NAMIC and WICT Southeast Chapter where she previously served as a board member for 2 years.
Having been identified as a high potential leader at Cox, Kasey has had the honor of being selected to participate in the annual NAMIC leadership conference and recently nominated to participate in the 2023 WICT Rising Leaders Program.
Kasey is a native of Atlanta, GA, wife, and proud mother of a five-year old daughter.
Christine Williams
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Christine Williams
Senior Manager of Marketing Operations
Christine Williams currently serves as Sr. Manager of Marketing Operations as Comcast Business. In this role, she creates and executes strategic programs for SMB and Mid-Market offers, Market Development initiatives and Competitive Intelligence. Prior to joining Comcast, Christine held various marketing positions with increasing responsibilities in brand strategy, experiential marketing, customer experience and product marketing at Cox Automotive (Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Flexdrive), ADT, and King County Metro.
Christine is passionate about optimizing programs, effective leadership, and coaching. She a WICT SE 2023 Student Mentor and is co-lead for Big South Region Women’s Network. Christine earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in International Business from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. She lives in Midtown Atlanta with her husband Steven and enjoys traveling, cooking, live music and dining al fresco.
June 2023
Kousalya Alapati
Comcast
Comcast
Kousalya Alapati
Senior Manager of Solutions Architecture
Kousalya is a Senior Manager of Solutions Architecture at Comcast with an overall experience of 17 years in Telecom industry. She’s a servant leader that believes in giving back to the community with a proven track record of designing, architecting, and delivering highly reliable and scalable enterprise solutions in the cable and advertising divisions. She comes with an expertise in managing applications, projects, programs, cross-functional initiatives, and global teams in the technology and business sectors.
She joined Comcast Cable as a Software Engineer, worked on building enterprise services for Comcast Residential Customer Service. Evolved into a people leader in 2014. She was instrumental in migrating monolith services from on-prem to cloud as micro services. Successfully transitioned the team to dev-ops using the 4DX methodology. As a Senior Manager, she expanded her portfolio into Comcast Ordering systems, successfully partnered with the business and delivered Xfinity Mobile Self Install Kit Ordering, a new line of business for Comcast.
Before the pandemic began, she joined Comcast Effectv as a Senior Product Manager. She was responsible for the strategic product roadmap vision and delivery of the Comcast Ad platform migration from legacy to strategic IP platform. As a solutions architect, she enjoys taking in a set of requirements, turning them into full-fledged architecture and design for Comcast Effectv.
She lives in the beautiful suburbs of Philadelphia with her family. As a proud mom of a 13 and 10 year old boy and girl respectively, she enjoys the outdoors, loves to run, and train taekwondo with family.
Kristine Andres
Comcast
Comcast
Kristine Andres
Senior Analyst
Kristine Andres is currently working in Total Rewards at Comcast as a Senior Analyst. She has been charged with using data to capture the return on value of organizational benefit offerings across multiple domains, such as health equity and cost effectiveness. In this position, Kristine has stood up the process of applying Evaluation principles typically used in the public health space to employer-provided benefits and contributes to guiding strategy for benefits programs that cover 100,000+ employees globally.
Kristine is a two-time University of Delaware graduate, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science in 2015 followed by a Master’s in Business Administration in 2019. Kristine joined Comcast in late 2021, where she draws upon previous experience from across the healthcare industry. She began at ChristianaCare in a patient-facing role before transitioning into the administrative space, completing a master’s degree, and moving on to Strategy and Business Development at Nemours Children’s Health. Kristine has also spent the last 8 years volunteering for a small non-profit, Velo Amis, managing social media and promoting running and cycling events for charity.
In her spare time, Kristine enjoys reading, traveling, watching sports, and exercise in all forms. She also finds a way to integrate data into her daily life (just ask her about her Peloton spreadsheet). Kristine lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner, but somehow manages to be a New York Giants fan all the same.
Rini Bandela
Comcast
Comcast
Rini Bandela
Director of Software Architecture
Rini is a highly innovative, strategic, technical, results-oriented, and influential leader, with product mindset, organizational leadership experience, and a passion for excellence in Solution Design and Architecture. Expertise in breaking down complex problems into simple issues that can be easily addressed.
Rini’s current role includes listening, solutioning, and delivering products that transform the customer experience. She works every day to make a positive impact through innovation in the pursuit of building amazing products that are enjoyable, easy to use and accessible across all platforms. For her, acquiring knowledge is key to discovering “what next”.
Originally from Hyderabad, India, Rini lives in Warrington, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU University, and a master’s degree in computer science from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. She is married and has two children.
Rini enjoys watching her sons play basketball and soccer.
Sheraline Barthelmy
Cox Edge
Cox Edge
Sheraline Barthelmy
Head of Product, Marketing, and Customer Success
I am the Head of Product, Marketing, and Customer Success at Cox Edge. Cox Edge provides low latency compute and storage platforms for the rapidly growing edge-cloud market. Cox Edge provides Enterprise IT, financial services, retail, IoT developers, Media & Entertainment, and online gaming sectors with low latency Cloud storage.
My role ensures that Cox continuously develops customer-centric products throughout the entire lifecycle and customer journey. I’m adept at the strategic direction of function that is aligned with execution. Value delivery and optimization have been two key points in my current role. Additionally, I run all marketing campaigns, prospect engagement, and thought leadership.
Prior to Cox Edge, I was VP of Technology Strategy & Product Delivery at FLEETCOR. FLEETCOR is a financial services company that provides secure, digital payments to suppliers and their employees. I developed the $200M NA Fuels Technology budget as well as identified and mitigated risks to deliver innovative products.
I also worked at Cox Automotive Inc. where I rose from Senior Manager in the Technology Finance sector to Senior Director of Global PMO and Finance. I created the strategic vision for her respective functional areas in finance and HR, and I was instrumental in the M&A activities for Cox Automotive for DealerTrack.
Jacqueline Bendig
Comcast
Comcast
Jacqueline Bendig
Director of Corporate Controllership
Jacqueline (Jae) Bendig is a Director of Corporate Controllership for Comcast in Philadelphia. In this role, she partners with divisions to manage accounting changes and evaluate reporting matters. Since joining Comcast in 2018, Jae has been a member of the company’s Corporate Accounting & Reporting team and has been involved with consolidations and controllership for various divisions. Prior to joining Comcast, Jae worked at Deloitte & Touche, LLP in the audit and assurance practice also in Philadelphia.
Jae is a graduate of University of Maryland where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Santa Brito
ESPN
ESPN
Santa Brito
Associate Director of Consumer Marketing
LaTasha Brown
Spectrum Reach
Spectrum Reach
LaTasha Brown
Senior Field Marketing Manager
LaTasha Brown is a Sr. Field Marketing Manager with Spectrum Reach in the Carolinas region. She partners with sales leaders to develop strategic plans that will aid in the acquisition, retention and revenue growth of key/target accounts. In the span of her career, there’s been a common thread, which is the belief that you can’t market what you don’t know and the customers you keep are just as valuable as the ones you get. For businesses to be successful it all comes down to truly understanding who your customers are.
LaTasha most enjoys collaboration and being a key contributor in the creation of integrated campaigns that blend traditional media with new digital/interactive platforms in order to drive demand and audience engagement. She’s developed promotional campaigns that have ranged from working with small/medium sized businesses to nonprofits, in need of building a brand, increasing web/in-store traffic or establishing an online presence.
LaTasha holds a BS in Business Administration from East Carolina University and an MBA from Meredith College. She resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two sons. Outside of work, you may find her spending time with family or researching and exploring popular travel destinations.
Jean Burns
Comcast
Comcast
Jean Burns
Manager of Consumer Growth
Jean Burns is a Manager of Consumer Growth Insights at Comcast who leverages marketing data and the consumer voice to inform new initiatives and business strategies.
Through nearly two decades of corporate experience, Jean holds a diverse knowledge of business through her work in the areas of telecom strategy, information technology governance, analytical sales forecasting, six sigma project management, and leadership of a Human Resources department. As a result of her robust career, she believes diversity of thought is powerful as great ideas often come from collaboration between people with seemingly disparate backgrounds and experiences.
She was awarded the Enterprise Business Intelligence Excellence Award for her approach to delivering value to her business partners and was recently recognized by Comcast with the XGIE CENTER Star Award for her significant contributions to the business.
Jean obtained a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University, School of Engineering, and her Masters of Business Administration in International Business from Temple University via the Fox School of Business and École nationale des ponts et chaussées.
Jean is currently based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she resides with her husband and two children. She loves traveling and hopes to raise their children to be global citizens. In her personal time, Jean also enjoys learning new languages, trying new foods, reading, and solving critical thinking puzzles.
Michele Cabay
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Michele Cabay
Senior Manager of Business Planning Network Operations
Michele was hired in 2016 soon after Charter Communication’s acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House as Manager of Business Planning Network Operations – Inside Plant. In this role she was responsible for supporting the Capital and Operating expense needs of the Headends for two regions. In 2021 Michele was promoted to her current position, Sr. Manager of Business Planning for Network Operations. In this role, she’s responsible for all Operating expense budgeting, forecasting, month end close processes and variance analysis for the Inside Plant Division of Network Operations. She manages a team of four that are responsible for five regions supporting the Capital and Operating expense approval and requisition processes to ensure the needs of the Headends are met in a timely manner. Michele has an expertise in Capital Labor reporting and analysis and created a model that provides the rate / volume variance that Sr. Management requires. Prior to joining Charter Communications, she worked at Thomson Reuters Corporation for 17 years where she held various Finance Management roles at the corporate office and two operating companies. Michele holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and History from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL. History and preservation are a passion of hers so when she’s not working or spending time with her family, she volunteers at the Lockwood Matthews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, CT.
Sarah Cheatham
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Sarah Cheatham
Director of Digital Marketing & Communications
Sarah Cheatham has served as Digital Marketing & Communications Director at Cox Communications Inc since 2022. She provides strategic leadership for the Digital Ad Operations group of the Campaign Fulfillment Center to ensure Cox Media meets the needs of their digital clients across internal and external platforms.
Sarah started her cable career in TV Commercial Operations at the then Scripps Networks Interactive. Next, she held a variety of roles with the brand marketing teams of HGTV, Food Network, DIY, Great American Country, and Travel Channel. Her background in commercial operations and marketing then led her to a role at Discovery in Digital Ad Operations.
Sarah is very involved in her community and has served as a member of the Salvation Army of Knoxville Advisory Board. Additionally, she and her family enjoy delivering meals to senior citizens for the Friends of Mobile Meals organization. She’s particularly passionate about empowering women in the workplace and has been a WICT member since 2009. In 2015-2018, she served as the Director and Senior Director of Membership for WICT Southeast. In 2019, Sarah was awarded the Red Letter Award: Rising Star for Emerging Leader, recognizing her for establishing competence and success in her area of expertise and for being an influential leader within her industry. She’s recently rejoined the board and is currently the Senior Director of Mentoring for WICT Southeast.
Sarah lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband and two young boys who love water sports and keeping her busy! In her (limited) spare time, she loves baking new recipes, Peloton classes, volunteering and event planning for her family and friends.
Hyun Chin
Comcast
Comcast
Hyun Chin
Manager of Sales, Technology & Experience
My name is Hyun Chin. Over the past 20 years of my career, I have worked in Banking transactions, Retail, Consulting and Telecommunication industries. I have specifically focused as a business liaison acting as a consultant between Business and IT teams. Primary expertise in holistic problem solving and strategy planning. I currently manage technology deployments into Comcast retail stores for over 5000+ employees. I work closely with many cross functional teams to ensure the most efficient process when deploying any of my projects. Although I have accomplished many things in my career. I truly believe my greatest and most important accomplishment was becoming a mother to my two boys because they are my pride and joy. During my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband and boys by playing outdoors and taking long walks as a family. I enjoy exploring, traveling, eating different delicious food and savoring these memories with my family.
Fran Crowly
Comcast
Comcast
Fran Crowly
Senior Manager of Accounting, Advertising
Fran Crowly is currently a Senior Manager of Accounting within the Advertising Accounting team at Comcast with a focus on Effectv’s revenue and related expenses. It has been a rewarding and challenging 15+ year journey for Fran throughout various roles, acquiring a wide range of skills and knowledge within Accounting & Finance on both the cable and advertising sides of the business. Fran has a passion for advocacy and recognizing others, which led her to become a member of Comcast Culture Ambassadors’ rewards and recognition subcommittee.
Outside of work, Fran and her husband Kevin enjoy cheering on their favorite Philadelphia sports teams, especially the Eagles. She loves entertaining and spending time with her family, especially her beloved dog, Skeeter. Ocean City, New Jersey is a favorite summer destination for her where she enjoys sunny beach days and barbecues.
Karla Cruz
ESPN
ESPN
Karla Cruz
Senior Managing Producer
Karla Cruz is a Mexican journalist whose passion for Sports Media drove her to work at the World Wide leader in sports, ESPN, almost 20 years ago. Born and raised in Mexico City, Karla started her career 24 years ago. She has worked in various roles for different networks in Mexico under the umbrella of Argos Media, which is now considered one of the most important production companies in Latin America and especially, Mexico.
She moved to the United States in 2011, where she began working on the International Assignment Desk; this position offered her the opportunity to work and contribute to the coverage of some of the biggest and most important sporting events in the industry, including four World Cups, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, the Pacquiao vs. Marquez rivalry, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fights, Tennis Grand Slams and other ATP, WTA tour events, PGA, Basketball, MLB in addition to many others.
Multicultural and bilingual, Karla manages the International Assignment desk, where she has the opportunity to strategize, coordinate and execute the sports coverage for all global sporting events year-round. Karla won an Emmy award last year for her contributions and collaboration to the SportsCenter show for ESPN Deportes, which is the first Spanish Sports show in the United States; she also won 3 Telly Awards: Bronze for Entre Copas and Futbol Picante, and Silver for Fuera de Juego in 2021.
Ashley Cushman
ESPN
ESPN
Ashley Cushman
Associate Director, Stats & Information Group
Ashley Cushman is an Associate Director in the Stats & Information Group at ESPN. She is a skilled storyteller and team leader with more than 20 years of experience in sports media, communications, and management.
At ESPN, Ashley leads SIG’s business operations and content integration teams. She has oversight of the department’s development efforts, internal and external communications, and numerous business initiatives. Ashley is also responsible for integrating SIG’s differentiating content into various tools and resources to help maximize storytelling potential across all company platforms.
From 2014-2021, Ashley was a Manager in SIG’s content department and responsible for day-to-day oversight of BottomLine – the 24/7 news and scores ticker on more than a dozen ESPN networks.
Prior to joining ESPN in 2014, Ashley worked in media relations for The University of Texas and University of Florida athletic departments as well as the Ladies Professional Golf Association. She began her career in sports media at her alma mater, Western Illinois University, while earning a BA in Television Broadcasting and an MS in Kinesiology (Sport Management).
Ashley resides in southeastern Illinois with her husband, Jay, and their boys Luke (4) and Leo (1).
Susan Della Rocca
Comcast
Comcast
Susan Della Rocca
Senior Manager of Employee Communications
After several years working in the Hospitality industry, Susie started her career with Comcast through an MBA Internship on the Xfinity Retail Sales team, helping Xfinity stores to improve their customer experience through focus on the Net Promoter Score. After some time as a Contractor, Susie settled into a full time role as an Operational Employee Communications Manager for Comcast Business. During her time in this role, Susie established communications channels and strategies for Enterprise employee groups, giving employees access to the information they need to perform in their roles. As Susie’s business and operational knowledge deepened, she began to increase the breadth and scope of her work, ultimately landing her in the Senior Manager role she’s in today.
Outside of her career, Susie hails from South Philadelphia’s East Passyunk neighborhood, where she loves to check out all of the neighborhood restaurants and bars and walk her dogs Frankie (a Cavapoo) and Cooper (a Cardigan Corgi) at the Columbus Square Dog Park. Susie also got engaged to her fiancé Cody in Lake Como, Italy in September 2022, and is looking forward to getting married in December of this year and honeymooning in Paris shortly thereafter!
Cheryl DiCarlo
ESPN
ESPN
Cheryl DiCarlo
Creative Director of Grande & Leonard Creative, ESPN Marketing
Cheryl DiCarlo is a Director in Grande & Leonard Creative, ESPN’s in-house creative agency focused on connecting fans with brands through storytelling and innovation. A 25-year television industry veteran, DiCarlo has been with the company since 2000, when she began as a writer/producer.
In her current role, DiCarlo leads a creative production team of writers, editors, and producers and oversees marketing campaigns for three college networks (ACC Network, SCC Network, Longhorn Network). DiCarlo has been a key contributor in the planning and execution of the NCAA Women’s Basketball promotions, having represented ESPN at the annual ESPN/NCAA women’s basketball committee meetings since 2018. She has also been a critical contributor to the company’s WNBA draft, regular season, and playoff campaigns.
DiCarlo is an active mentor and has represented espnW as a panelist at Campus Conversation events that connect successful women in leadership positions as ESPN with college female student-athletes. She is an active member of the Change Igniters- a group representing ESPN Marketing’s commitment to driving actionable change in the area of Diversity and Inclusion.
Internally, DiCarlo has led numerous collaborations with Production, espnW, and Programming. She has developed Marketing campaigns that span the entire ESPN family of networks and platforms including tv, radio, social, print and digital. DiCarlo led the creation of an internal post-production team determining both technology and personnel needs.
During her ESPN career, DiCarlo has served as the creative lead on numerous image and topical promo campaigns, including NBA, NFL, MLB, ESPN Films, Grand Slam Tennis, Golf, NCAA Women’s Basketball, NCAA Men’s College Basketball, Heisman Trophy Presentation, Little League World Series, College Gameday – Football and Basketball, WCWS, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
DiCarlo has won an EMMY Award, ESPN Visionary Award (three times), ESPN Leadership Award, ESPN Standing Ovation Award, and ESPN 20-year Service Award. In 2019, DiCarlo was inducted into the Roselle Park (N.J.) High School Athletics Hall of Fame, having graduated the school as its all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
DiCarlo holds a bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communication from Southern Connecticut State University, where she was a member of the women’s basketball team.
Laura Escobar
Comcast
Comcast
Laura Escobar
Director of Engineering Operations, TPX RST Operations
Rosie Fernandez
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Rosie Fernandez
Manager of Community and Public Relations
Rosie Fernandez is a compassionate leader with 20 years of experience in Community Relations including board development, volunteerism, grant giving, event planning & management, and sponsorships. She is a fierce advocate for community investing her time with organizations advancing educational opportunity for young people.
Rosie leads the company’s community impact programs as the manager of Community Relations for Cox Communications – East. In this role, she collaborates with colleagues across the business, community leaders, and business partners to empower and uplift our communities through various impact programs.
Outside of work and her commitment to community, Rosie is the proud mom of two teenage girls, has a deep love for her family and is an avid sports fan. Rosie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island.
Sarah Finkelstein
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast NBCUniversal
Sarah Finkelstein
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Sarah Finkelstein is the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Impact & Inclusion at Comcast NBCUniversal. Through this role, Sarah develops programs and partnerships that advance Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities, by working with nonprofit partners to improve the quality of digital skills training, build equitable pathways to careers in media and tech, and investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs. When Sarah joined Comcast in 2017, she led Comcast’s Impact & Inclusion’s philanthropic event contribution portfolio.
Prior to Comcast, Sarah was the Division Manager of Family & Housing Services at Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a human services agency serving low-income neighborhoods in North Philadelphia. Sarah has also worked for PYXERA Global, a global engagement nonprofit in Washington, D.C. where she managed MBAs Without Borders and international corporate volunteerism programs in emerging markets around the world.
Sarah was a member of The WICT Network Emerging Leaders Board, graduated from The WICT Network of Greater Philadelphia’s Mentoring Circle Program, has served as the Events Chair for the Spruce Foundation, held a general board seat for the Pan American Academy Charter School, and was an advisory board member for Camp Kesem. After receiving her bachelor’s in International Development and Latin American Studies from the George Washington University, Sarah spent a year backpacking and working throughout Latin America.
Sarah loves baking, getting outside, and traveling to old favorites and new places. Sarah lives with her husband, baby, and dog in South Philadelphia.
Ericka Gallagher
ESPN
ESPN
Ericka Gallagher
Senior Manager of Creative Studio
Ericka Gallagher is a Senior Manager in Creative Studio at ESPN. A member of the Creative Editorial senior leadership team, she oversees more than 140 editors, visual effects artists, sound designers, colorists, and producers spanning facilities in Bristol, Charlotte, and Los Angeles. Leveraging Ericka’s passion for the craft and large-scale experience in storytelling, she was charged with shaping the multitalented Post division, a team of industry leading creatives driving ESPN’s robust marketing, documentary, tease, and feature portfolios. Ericka’s people-first style of leadership, strong production partnerships, and deep investment in team and culture has positioned her Post unit as the go-to creative team for ESPN’s highest level, priority content.
A twenty-five-year veteran of ESPN, Ericka began her career as a Studio Tech I in Production Operations as a tape-to-tape video editor who supported content for ABC News One, ESPN, and ESPN2 studio shows. As one of the first women at the company to break into non-linear editing, she quickly rose to become a standout in the longform storytelling space within SportsCenter and Outside the Lines. Over the course of Ericka’s career, her role as a lead feature editor and eventual Post Production Supervisor was recognized with an Edward R. Murrow, Clio, and four Emmys in the Sports Documentary, Outstanding Short, Long Feature, and Edited Series categories. Proud of the work that intersected humans and sports, Ericka will always be an editor at heart who was fortunate to tell those special stories.
Ericka received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Marywood University specializing in Radio and Television Production. A native New Yorker, she now resides in Farmington, Connecticut with her husband, Brian, and three children, Kyla (21), Caden (18) and Beckham (91 = dog years).
Jennifer Gode
ESPN
ESPN
Jennifer Gode
Associate Director, Stats & Information Group
In February 2022, Jennifer was promoted to Associate Director in the Stats & Information Group (SIG) at ESPN. In this role, she is responsible for the day-to-day data management, staffing and newsroom operations. She directly oversees of all collegiate sports, including being responsible for increasing coverage for women’s college softball (2022) and women’s college basketball (2020). While supporting and managing a newsroom of 100, she has seven direct reports at various full-time levels, including management. Jennifer, along with other senior leaders, is responsible for the strategic direction, long-term planning and mission of SIG.
She joined Stats & Analysis (under the SIG umbrella) in August 2007 as an entry-level employee focused on data entry and production. She continued to grow within in the department and in 2011 was tasked with recruiting, hiring and training new part-time employees (approximately 20 a year). In November 2013, Jennifer was promoted to management and has since been focused on staff development, resource allocation and overall data quality. Throughout her time in Stats & Analysis, she supervised and directly managed part-time employees and full-time employees with coaching and career conversations, focused growth and development, as well as long-term goal setting.
In 2021, Jennifer was elected Co-Chair for ESPN Women (Business Employee Resource Group), where she focused on creating content and programming to support internal employees’ growth, development and sense of community. She continues her role as Co-Chair for the newly rebranded Women@ESPN BERG and recently joined the Women@Disney BERG Leadership Team focused on strategic development.
Stephanie Grant
ESPN
ESPN
Stephanie Grant
Director of Events and Basketball Operations
Stephanie Grant joined ESPN in December 1998, and currently serves as a Director of Events and Basketball Operations of ESPN Events. In her role, she has oversight and management of the owned and operated college basketball events, which includes multi-team tournaments and neutral site doubleheaders across the country. She is charged with establishing, developing, and growing relationships with key stakeholders – conferences, participating teams, school administrators and sponsors. She is also responsible for overseeing the overall annual operating budgets for all basketball events. Stephanie also collaborates with her team to set the strategic vision of the event including branding, ticket and marketing strategies and helps guide her team in developing the overall comprehensive event and operational plans – all with the goal and vision of providing everyone involved with a memorable event experience.
While at ESPN, Stephanie has been highly active in the companies Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. She is currently a leader on the Programming Department DEI committee and is a co-lead specifically on the Education and Training team overseeing a small group of employees who ideate and create awareness and learning opportunities for the overall department. She is also a member of the leadership development team responsible for the Black Sports Business Symposium. She led a group of ESPN colleagues in the day-to-day planning and contributed to the infrastructure and content development for the 2022 inaugural event.
Prior to joining ESPN, Grant spent six years at PCA International as a junior accountant.
She is a graduate of Pfeiffer University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She also attended the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Her hobbies include interior design, and social event planning.
Stacey Kang
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Stacey Kang
Channel Marketing Director
Stacey is a skilled professional and dynamic leader. Since 2015, she has served as Channel Marketing Director for Cox Communications. Her responsibilities span national internal product education for all Cox employees as well as GTM, pricing and product launch execution for all sales channels. She is also responsible for product engagement for Sales, Care and Field channels nation-wide.
Stacey has been with Cox and recently celebrated 25 years of service. She has been with the company to launch Cox High Speed Internet, Cox Digital Telephone and Cox Digital Video services, starting in 1997 in Orange County, California. She has served in various product marketing, competitive strategy, and national retention strategy roles.
In her free time, Stacey likes to travel, spend time with her family, and walk her micro goldendoodle, “Kobe.” She is currently pursuing her Master of Art in Strategic Communication and Digital Strategy at the University of Oklahoma and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Pepperdine University.
Elena Katz
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Elena Katz
Senior Manager of Sales Performance Management & Analytics
Elena Katz is a results-oriented, forward-thinking leader with over 20 years of business intelligence and analytics experience. Currently a Senior Manager in Sales Strategy at Cox Communications in Atlanta, Georgia, Elena is responsible for the design and effectiveness of the residential sales scorecard program. In the past year she has expanded her team and responsibilities to include sales analytics where she established a new data framework for delivering quick deep-dive insights into performance.
Prior to her Sales Strategy role, Elena was a Senior Manager in Sales Operations at Cox Communications, leading a highly visible enterprise reporting and analytics team providing operational business intelligence across the organization. Prior to Cox, Elena was a stay-at-home mom for 11 years raising her two boys. During this time, she designed and developed proprietary health and financial related Apple iOS mobile applications reaching Top 10 status in both “Grossing” and “Paid” for Healthcare and Finance.
Elena obtained an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University and an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, 2 sons and 2 dogs. In her free time, Elena enjoys traveling, dining, volunteering, organizing, and spending time with her family.
Bridget Kennedy
Hallmark Media
Hallmark Media
Bridget Kennedy
Manager of Corporate Strategy
Bridget Kennedy is a Corporate Strategy manager at Hallmark Media where she works on a variety of projects that span nearly all facets of the business. Often working as something of an internal consultant, Bridget champions cross-functional projects and teams across the organization to drive change. One of her favorite aspects of the job is using data to build strategies that influence the future of our business. She also works with the Employee Resource Council to support women-focused initiatives at the company, something she is extremely passionate about. Bridget joined Hallmark after completing her Masters of Business Administration at the USC’s Marshall School of Business. Prior to getting her MBA, she worked for the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which is where she first fell in love with the fast-paced energy of television.
Bridget lives in Los Angeles and usually can’t be found because she is out camping or hiking with her dog. When she’s not out in the backcountry, she loves playing bar trivia with her friends, seeing stand up comedy, musical theater, and tending to her vast collection of houseplants.
Cristin Kist
Comcast
Comcast
Cristin Kist
Manager of Sales Support, Strategic Contracts
Cristin Kist is a skilled communicator who studied English at Penn State as an undergrad. She obtained a JD from the Villanova University School of Law and received notice that she had passed the Bar Exam in October of 2006. Cristin worked in the legal department for Comcast Cable as a Contract Specialist for almost 8 years. In the legal department, Cristin engaged in negotiating and drafting contracts for the procurement team, handled sponsorship agreements and wrote sweepstakes rules, and managed all Non-Disclosure Agreements for the Cable Legal team. She then took a role as a Manager, and was quickly promoted to Senior Manager, for the team that negotiates high-profile, national and strategic customer agreements for Comcast Business. In this role, Cristin works with the Comcast Business team to negotiate contracts with national accounts. She trains her team to learn the necessary skills to compromise and communicate in order to close complicated deals. Cristin’s team has successfully completed hundreds of agreements with household name brands. Cristin also works on process improvements, contract form development, building tools to manage request from sales and keep track of workload, and successfully manages a team of 5-6 people. Cristin still enjoys contracts negotiation and drafting, but is now most inspired by her role as a people leader and she is excited to increase her skills in this area. Cristin has also participated in NAMIC leadership training and has completed the Half the Sky Leadership program in Philadelphia in the Summer of 2019.
Alison Levin
Comcast
Comcast
Alison Levin
Director of External Reporting
Alison Levin is currently Director of External Reporting for Comcast’s Corporate Accounting and Reporting team. In this role, she leads the preparation of Comcast’s financial statements for filing with the SEC (primarily the Form 10-Ks and 10-Qs). Since joining Comcast in 2016, Alison has worked on the Corporate Controllership team with a focus on the Sky business and the Corporate Accounting Research and Policy team. Prior to joining Comcast, she worked as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers, beginning in 2012, for both public and private clients with a focus on Entertainment, Media and Communications and Health Industry companies in the New York and Philadelphia offices. Alison earned a bachelor of science in accounting from Bucknell University and is a certified public accountant. Alison has volunteered with Comcast’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA).
Rita Liao
Comcast
Comcast
Rita Liao
Director of Device Program Management
Yuhan (Rita) is an energetic and forward-thinking leader who has spent her career working with technology. Professionally Yuhan is a Director for Device Program Management at Comcast. She is known as being passionate, self-motivated, and comfortable with ambiguity. Yuhan also thrives at managing complex programs and leading cross-functional and results-oriented teams, by delivering products that empower people to live better lives.
Prior to joining Comcast, Yuhan worked for the Asia based Compal Broadband Networks (CBN), the subsidiary company of one of the world’s largest electronic manufacturers. She specialized in business account and project management and worked to build-up confidence and knowledge of managing subordinates. Yuhan had achieved annual revenue goal of $130M and successfully onboarded new operators globally, leading to the opportunity of driving first DOCSIS 3.0 wireless gateway program for CBN’s potential client Comcast. Working as an expatriate in Philadelphia, Yuhan built robust relationships within Comcast. This hard work and perseverance led to an invitation to join the company in 2017.
Yuhan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Finance from National Cheng-Chi University from Taipei, Taiwan. While being passionate in creating the future, Yuhan’s real love is also music where she plays various instruments for two toddler boys. In her free time, Yuhan enjoys playing tennis, traveling, cooking, grocery shopping and going on movie dates and EDM concerts with her husband.
Monica Lucas
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast NBCUniversal
Monica Lucas
Program Manager, Manager 2
Monica Lucas is a senior program manager who’s been supporting Comcast’s Experience Design organization since 2016. She’s currently focused on the company’s growing portfolio of global entertainment products, aligning Design’s goals with those of the Product, Business, and Development teams quarterly, and creating plans that empower the people on her team to design for the best-case scenario, create a prototype, and test it in the real world to determine the best path forward.
Monica prides herself on transparent communication and quick problem-solving, strengths which have allowed her to drive results consistently through efficient and dynamic tracking. Her certifications for project management, scrum master, and advanced scrum master have helped her contribute to many teams and efforts at Comcast over the years, including Xfinity Home, the Advanced Product Group, and the successful entertainment product launches of Xfinity Flex and XClass TV.
Before her time at Comcast, Monica got a bachelor’s degree in communications from Pennsylvania State University and worked in radio, as a digital marketer for all four Philadelphia radio stations and as an assistant promotions director at 102.9 WMGK. A lifelong music fan, Monica is especially fond of tunes that the population at large might consider “guilty pleasures,” or even just plain “terrible.” She lives in Glenside, PA, and in her free time she restores classic cars, hangs out with her beloved pitbull-mix Zero, and travels extensively with her husband — they’ve visited 43 states and 12 countries so far, and plan to see them all!
Adora Williams Mack
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Adora Williams Mack
Manager of Data Analytics and Strategy
Adora Mack graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York College at Buffalo where she received her Bachelor of Arts, in Sociology.
She was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) as well as Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society.
Fluent in Spanish, she studied abroad, in her sophomore year, at Universidad Andres Bello in Santiago, Chile where she spent time examining the sociology of Chile’s school system in relation to societal standards and construction.
She received early acceptance to Sacred Heart University where she also graduated Magna Cum Laude in an accelerated program receiving her Master of Arts, in Communication and Media Studies.
At A+E Networks, she is active on the leadership committee of Black at A+E Networks (BAE), an employee resource group that aims to cultivate, encourage, and uplift Black employees within the organization, and co-chairs the Career Development Advisory Council.
Rama Mahajanam
Comcast
Comcast
Rama Mahajanam
Director of Machine Learning
My name is Rama Mahajanam and I have been at Comcast for about 3 years now. I have been leading the AI4CX team and came here from JP Morgan Chase. While here, I have had the chance to do interesting Reinforcement learning projects and driving AI/ML to improve customer experience. In my free time, I love watching Marvel movies with my sons and doing yoga.
Rebeca Mathew
Comcast
Comcast
Rebeca Mathew
Director of Product Management
Rebeca Mathew is a Director of Product Management with over 16 years of experience and having a diverse range of expertise in system analysis, solution designing, process improvement, program management & planning. In her current role as a Technical Product Owner, Rebeca supports quarterly planning to provide readout to the office of the CIO, coordinating a multitude of development asks for Enterprise tools & applications, working with business stakeholders and development teams to help build out program roadmaps, define quarterly deliverables and prioritize various initiatives.
Prior to her current role, Rebeca held different roles in supporting both Comcast Residential & Business initiatives. Rebeca started her career as a Test Engineer in Comcast supporting the provisioning & activation system for High Speed Internet and Comcast Digital Voice. Since then, she has been promoted to positions of increasing responsibilities, including as an analyst to identify areas that require technical enhancement to reduce system fallouts and thereafter as a Program Manager supporting the roll out of several new initiatives. Rebeca is skilled in process improvement, identifying inefficiencies in existing process and implementing changes to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency and drive productivity.
Rebeca graduated with a Master’s degree in Management Information System from Holy Family University, Philadelphia in 2007. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from India in Computer Science Engineering, graduated in 2003. She currently lives in Bucks County, PA with her husband and 2 sons. Rebeca enjoys doing home improvement projects and gardening in her free time.
Lauren McGrath
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Lauren McGrath
Supervisor of Content Processing and Delivery
Lauren McGrath is the Supervisor of Content Processing and Delivery within the Global Content Distribution Services department at A+E Networks. She manages a team of 8 individuals who process and distribute A+E Network’s non-linear content for Download-To-Own, TV Everywhere, Video-On-Demand, AVOD, FAST, OTT, SVOD and A+E’s owned and operated sites. While overseeing the distribution of assets, she collaborates closely with other teams within GCDS to capacity plan projects and ensure the team can be flexible to meet business needs.
Prior to joining A+E Networks in 2013 as a freelance Quality Control Technician, Lauren worked as a freelance Production Assistant and Media Manager for several different productions and local media companies. This experience helped shaped her interests and aspirations for what she was looking for in her career.
Lauren graduated Cum Laude from the University of Hartford in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She currently resides in Derby, CT and enjoys mountain biking and woodburning in her spare time.
Leeann V Mitchell
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Leeann V Mitchell
Technology Program Manager
Leeann Mitchell is a strategic leader with over 15 years’ successful leadership experience within large enterprises, offering a unique combination of technical expertise and business acumen, demonstrated proficiency in portfolio and program management, technology strategy, operational growth, and team building.
Currently a Technology Delivery Program Manager with Charter Communications, Leeann leads Connectivity programs that bring value to Charter business-class customers. Her knowledge of industry, business, and technology, along with exceptional communication skills is critical to the successful delivery of these products and services.
Prior to joining Charter, Leeann was instrumental to the success of other enterprise-scale corporations frequently seizing opportunities to achieve goals by performing financial analysis, making recommendations on capital investments, and chairing collaborative strategy and prioritization forums. She organized high performing matrixed teams to drive commitments and adoption rates, promote ROI realization, manage customer expectations, and ensure operational readiness.
Key accomplishments include:
- IPv6 architectural runway development, enabling legacy Charter customers to acquire Advanced Business WiFi and Spectrum Mobile Network Business products
- Visa Global Latin Regions First Spanish language ChatBOT with AI technology
- CenturyLink and Visa Europe Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform migrations and enhancements
- CenturyLink Outside Plant Facility Management Global Information System (GIS) data accuracy and security
Leeann holds a MS in Organizational Leadership, ERP specialization, a BS in Business Management, an AAS in Electronics Engineering Technology, and PMP and SAFe certifications. Memberships include The WICT Network, Spectrum Women, Project Management Institute, and Regis University Alumni Association.
A catalyst leader, Leeann mentors, influences, and guides people, seeking hidden potential to bring out the best in them. She enjoys time with family, motorcycling, sports as a participant and as a spectator, and her true love is singing.
Amanda Moore
Sparklight
Sparklight
Amanda Moore
Director of Operations & System General Manager
Amanda Moore is the Director of Operations and System General Manager both in the Panhandle of Texas and mid-western Oklahoma regions at Sparklight a Cable One company. She joined Cable One in 2011 as a Field Technician in Prescott, AZ and has since held roles such as Advance Technician– working the heavy line plant from 2017-18, Field Technician Supervisor– leading a technical team in southern Indiana from 2018-19, and Technical Training Manager– spearheading the development of an online training course for newly hired technicians and training the Senior Field Technicians in Phoenix, AZ from 2019–2022. In March of 2022, she was promoted to her current role as Director of Operations and System General Manager. Amanda is responsible for the overall health and wellness of the Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) system, customer experience, financial stability, government relations, and associate satisfaction in here areas. She is an HFC Master Technician, holds a Certification in Broadband Technology from Arapahoe Community College, and is attending Purdue University’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program. She aspires to have an MBA from Purdue University and will become a Senior Master Technician by the end of 2023. Amanda has been married to her best friend, Robbie for almost 24-years and they have three beautiful sons together. In her spare time, she loves to listen to podcasts about religion, finance, or leadership, travel to new places with her family, and volunteer her time in the community and Temple of her God.
Grace Moran
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Grace Moran
Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis
Grace Moran is currently a Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis (“FP&A”) within Comcast Business. In this role, she is responsible for the monthly forecasting, budgeting, and five-year long-range planning for various areas of the P&L and Subscriber metrics, including Comcast Business Mobile, Cell Backhaul, Carrier Ethernet, and Net Adds. In addition, she is an experienced people leader with a team of Senior Analysts and works cross-functionally with various internal stakeholders at multiple levels. Prior to her role in FP&A, Grace worked on the Reporting & Analysis team for her first four years at Comcast focusing on the monthly and quarterly close process for both internal and external reporting.
Prior to joining Comcast, Grace started her career in the Financial Analyst Program at Wells Fargo’s Southern NJ Regional Commercial Banking Office. In this role, she worked directly with relationship managers to assist with reviewing and analyzing multi-million-dollar loans to new and existing clients and assisted in evaluating creditworthiness of potential new clients.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from The College of New Jersey, as well as her MBA with a concentration in Strategic Management from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.
Grace resides in Philadelphia where she enjoys staying an engaged member of the TCNJ community through her role as the President of the TCNJ Greater Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, spending time with family and friends, taking a Cody Rigsby Peloton class, and catching up on all her favorite Bravo reality shows.
Audrey Morrison
Comcast
Comcast
Audrey Morrison
Senior Manager of TV Entertainment Editorial Programming & Partnerships
Getting to promote TV shows for a living is what every kid dreams about. But getting to do it for such a wonderful company and with the best peers in the business is what grownup dreams are made of…
What started as a 3-month contractor position, has blossomed into a thirteen-year career across web and cable at Comcast. From writing news headlines to constructing cross-platform editorial strategy, working at Comcast has been an education like none other.
I’ve had so many phenomenal leaders during my tenure and continually strive to be just that for my team – understanding, encouraging, motivational and curious.
Maritza Murillo
Paramount
Paramount
Maritza Murillo
Senior Manager of Data Strategy and Operations
Maritza is Senior Manager of Data Strategy and Operations under the Corporate Research group at Paramount. A researcher with over 13 years of experience in TV linear and digital/social measurement, Maritza began her career with legacy Viacom in 2015 in New York City where she worked on the International Research & Analytics team. Prior to working for Paramount, Maritza held positions at Disney/ABC Television and NBCUniversal. In 2017, Maritza moved back to Los Angeles where she was born and raised. In her current role, she’s responsible for managing all the digital and social research vendors Paramount works with. These partnerships ensure the digital research teams at Paramount have the proper data and analytics to report to senior management.
Maritza also serves as a co-chair of SOMOS, the Latinx/Hispanic Inclusion Network at Paramount. Maritza is a first generation Mexican-American, born to immigrant parents and is fluent in Spanish. She is very proud of her culture and heritage, and grateful to be given the opportunity to make an impact in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space at Paramount.
Kathleen Nickell
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Kathleen Nickell
eDiscovery Manager
Kathleen Nickell is an eDiscovery Manager for Charter Communications. In this role, she supports the Charter legal team by managing the collection and discovery of digital data for litigations. Kathleen has worked in the legal field for the past 14 years, with a focus on eDiscovery throughout that time.
Working in an industry with constantly evolving technology, software and data types, Kathleen perpetually strives to learn more and challenge herself. Her thirst for knowledge has earned her a number of certifications including: Certification in Discovery Practice from the Electronic Discovery Institute (EDI), Certified eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS), Certified Nuix Workstation Specialist, RelativityOne Certified Pro (RCP), and Relativity Certified Administrator (RCA). In addition, Kathleen holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Fontbonne University.
Kathleen resides in St. Louis, MO with her husband Scott and their 11 year-old daughter, Chloe. When she’s not working, Kathleen relishes spending time outdoors running, walking or hiking, reading books from a variety of genres, and traveling with her family.
Taylor Nolan
CSG
CSG
Taylor Nolan
Senior Customer Relationship Manager
Taylor Nolan is a Senior Customer Relationship Manager for CSG. She is responsible for the support and growth of the partnership between CSG and one of the world’s largest tier one cable/satellite TV service providers. In this role, Taylor manages, cultivates, and expands CSG’s solution adoption to drive extraordinary employee and customer experiences. Taylor leads many initiatives in partnership with customers focused on enhancing customer engagement and loyalty while supporting reliable billing system uptime. She currently works alongside the direct broadcast satellite (DBS), wireless, streaming, and in-home technician services customer lines of business to align business objectives and drive success for both organizations. Through this partnership, Taylor coordinates cross-functional support teams to deliver to one of CSG’s largest customer bases, while also inspiring those around her to challenge the status quo.
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and International Affairs with a minor in Spanish Language and Culture from Princeton University. During her time at Princeton, she was also a leader on the Varsity Field Hockey team. In her free time, Taylor enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and coaching youth field hockey.
Tracy Norris
Cable One
Cable One
Tracy Norris
Director of Digital Strategy
Tracy is a self-taught web design and development professional with over 18 years of experience. Ten of those years were spent in the cable industry. She manages three agile teams, Digital User Experience, Digital Product Management, and Web Development and is responsible for public-facing websites, ecommerce, chat, and customer self-service channels for four brands. Tracy and her husband of 23 years, Greg, have one daughter, Sophia. They love the outdoors and adventures, so they spend time hiking, traveling, and playing video games together.
Maria Palmieri Guerra
ESPN
ESPN
Maria Palmieri Guerra
Director of Production Management
Maria Palmieri Guerra is a Director of Production Management at ESPN, celebrating 30 exceptional years with the Walt Disney Company as of February 2023.
Maria’s career in the Media industry commenced with TV News and Radio Promotions which guided her to ESPN. Hired as an Executive Assistant in Programming, she transitioned to Event Production where she discovered her niche as Production Coordinator. She contributed to an array of compelling events and shows which led to the promotion of Production Manager. Properties include NBA, Global X Games, and Little League World Series, Special Olympics, ESPYs and more. Maria planned high level logistics, budgets, staffing and venue infrastructures.
In her current Director position, she oversees the Production Management team consisting of 45+ staff in various locations. This unit supports content leaders on 90+ domestic and international events. Maria oversees the College Sports Unit as well, identifying business directives, creating efficiencies and planning strategic assignments. She establishes critical professional relationships and empowers collaborative communication.
Maria plays a crucial role with the leadership team for ESPN Next program. This program is designed to grow and develop talented production assistants. She embraces diversity, forecasts projects and designs schedules, aligning business needs and individual goals.
Outside of the workplace, Maria has a deep passion for her family, puppy, travel and yoga. She also loves the simple things that bring us the most happiness. Maria believes regardless of tenure in your career, always put in the same effort as if it were your first day and enjoy the journey!
Elsona Papuli
Comcast
Comcast
Elsona Papuli
Director of Revenue
Karen Ramaika
Comcast
Comcast
Karen Ramaika
Director of Xfinity Mobile/Order Tech Data Management
In 2004, Karen Ramaika joined Comcast as a System Lead to build the new platform for Internet Services. Since then, she has successfully managed diverse technology teams to deliver infrastructure, platform and development solutions across Internet, Cable, Digital Voice and Mobile platforms. Karen currently leads the Big Data Development and DevOps team for Xfinity Mobile providing a highly available platform, promoting the growth to over 5 million customers.
Karen is an adaptable leader who works with cross functional teams to support new products and achieve established corporate objectives. Karen has extensive experience with data center management, DevOps, application development, database/network/systems administration, requirements analysis, security, operations, and training/development. Her broad experience and leadership qualities enabled her to successfully lead the following projects:
- Comcast Global Audit (CGA): Lead the audit for Xfinity Mobile Back Office in 2019 and 2022 by collaborating with Audit, Development and Security teams to harden and maintain a secure environment
- Comcast Privacy Program (CPP): Lead the Program for Xfinity Mobile Back Office to ensure all data is compliant with the California Privacy Acts Retention/Disposal policies by 01/01/2023, by working the development teams, Comcast Privacy Data Stewards, Legal and Solution Design teams to scan/identify all data, set the retention/disposal policies and support customer requests.
- Data Center Migration: Program led to migrate 550+ physical servers and 80+ applications out of 2 Philadelphia based Data Centers in 12 months (2011-2012), working with System Architects, Data Center Management, Application teams and Infrastructure teams to meet the aggressive project timeline and save $13 million
Karen has a BS in Computer Science from Villanova University and resides in the Philadelphia suburbs. She spent over 8 years early in her career as a technical instructor before starting her leadership journey. Karen enjoys learning new technologies as well as expanding her professional network through WICT, PA Conference for Women and Comcast TechWomen Groups.
On a personal note, Karen enjoys spending her down time at the Jersey Shore with her family and 2 Standard Schnauzers.
Jessica Rebholz
Comcast
Comcast
Jessica Rebholz
Senior Manager of Quality & Implementation, Technical Operations
Jessica Rebholz is Senior Manager of Quality & Implementation for the Technical Operations team in Comcast’s Keystone Region. As a 23-year cable veteran, Jessica is shattering the mold of traditional norms for women in tech.
As the only female leader in Keystone Technical Operations, Jessica always presents her authentic self, blending her high energy style with emotional intelligence and compassion for her team, her fellow leaders and the field personnel they support. She’s the 2022 Keystone Region finalist for a Circle of Success Award for Innovation in Employee Experience.
During her career, Jessica has moved intentionally through many functional teams. She led Sales Operations teams for five unique sales streams and Quality Control teams focused on internal processes improvement. Jessica started her telecom career in direct community and customer relations.
A strong believer in cross-functional collaboration, Jessica’s professional passions include investing in employee development, cultivating diverse teams, and creating opportunities for competitive advantage. Jessica is a promoter of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and an active board member with the MyAbilities ERG.
Outside of her career at Comcast, Jessica is a wife and mother and volunteers for several professional and community-based boards. She’s an enthusiastic volunteer with PEEL: Pittsburgh’s Elevated and Emerging Leaders, which builds relationships to support community investment initiatives for a multitude of non-profits in Southwestern PA. Jessica serves as their Director of Operations. Previously, she served WICT of Greater Pittsburgh as its sponsorship and community investments chairs.
Nicole Romino
Comcast
Comcast
Nicole Romino
Manager of Business Process Effectiveness
Nicole Romino recently started in the telecommunications industry. She started her career as a business analyst and program manager for Medicaid Waiver Programs across various states and has over 10 years’ experience launching large-scale programs. She obtained her Scrum Master Certification (PSMI) and was a Scrum Master for a data analytics team for internal and external reporting. In March of 2021, Nicole began working at Comcast as a Manager, Business Process Effectiveness.
In her current role at Comcast, she is acting as program manager for the Comcast Privacy Program. She collaborates with multiple stakeholders across the organization to enhance the Privacy experience that was expanded and launched for CA, CO, and VA in December of 2022. Within her first year at Comcast, she has driven multiple strategic initiatives, developed more enhanced and detailed reporting, and created operating standards for internal teams.
Nicole is a West Virginia University Alumni and holds a BA in English with a concentration in professional writing and editing and a minor in Communications. She resides outside of Morgantown, WV with her husband, daughter, and dog. In her free time, Nicole loves crafting, wood working, and spending time with her family and friends.
Christina Ryan
ESPN
ESPN
Christina Ryan
Associate Director of Sports Marketing
Christina Ryan is an Associate Director of Sports Marketing at ESPN with nearly 10 years of experience in marketing and advertising. At ESPN, Ryan has worked on marketing efforts for a wide portfolio of live sports including the NBA, MLB, Little League World Series, Wimbledon and the US Open. In 2020, Ryan took a leadership role for WNBA marketing with a focus on driving League affinity, awareness, and viewership of live games.
Ryan has played a pivotal role in content initiatives that spanned The Walt Disney Company, including Fifty/50, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. As part of Fifty/50, Ryan led awareness and content marketing, with a specific focus on female audience engagement.
Before ESPN, Ryan worked as an account manager at Louisville, KY based creative agency, Doe -Anderson, where she began her career in marketing.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Ryan graduated from the University of Richmond with a business administration degree, concentrating in marketing, and a minor in English. Ryan was also a Division 1 student-athlete on Richmond’s Field Hockey team.
Shoshana Salmon
CBS Sports
CBS Sports
Shoshana Salmon
Director of Traffic Operations
Shoshana Salmon transitioned into the Director of Traffic Operations role for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network in 2018 with over 11 years of experience in the live sports media industry. Shoshana works to integrate scheduled Sports inventory with playout and Master Control systems while also managing CBS Sports Network’s Traffic team. Formatting all live sporting events on CBS Sports from Professional Bull Riding to Super Bowls also falls under this unique umbrella.
Shoshana, 2020 SBJ Game Changer, 2021 Cynopsis Top Women in Media and 4-time Emmy Awardwinner, joined CBS Sports as a commercial logger in 2011. With an AAS from Middlesex College, Shoshana decided to officially change paths from Elementary Education and teaching Kindergarten to media in 2012 joining CBS Sports as an Administrative Assistant.
With increased interest in Sports media and operations, Shoshana continues to search for ways to stay involved and within game.
Morgan Schatzman
Xfinity
Xfinity
Morgan Schatzman
Manager of Product Experience & Advocacy
Morgan Schatzman works as a Manager on the Xfinity Product Experience team within Comcast’s TPX Group. In her role, she brings Xfinity products to life for Comcast and NBCU employees through managing Comcast’s much-loved employee discount program, Xfinity Promoter Experience. Since beginning in this position in 2021, Morgan has worked to rebrand the program, drive operational efficiency, and enhance the employee experience through launching a new Xfinity Mobile device offer. Morgan started at Comcast in 2018 through a graduate school internship while pursuing her MBA at George Washington School of Business with a focus on Digital Marketing & Communications. She started full time after graduating, supporting Billing Communications on the Lifecycle Marketing team. In this role, she led customer research and strategy to increase transparency and accessibility in billing related emails, marketing, and support sites.
When Covid-19 hit, Morgan managed the communications strategy and execution for the Keep America Connected initiative that ensured Comcast customers struggling to pay their bills would retain internet services. For this work, Morgan received a Circle of Success award for Innovation in Customer Experience. Prior to joining Comcast, Morgan worked as the Assistant General Manager of a Barnes & Noble store and as an Account Manager at a start-up, women and minority focused marketing agency, Ringlet. Both of these positions contributed to Morgan’s entrepreneurial and growth mindset, as well as her passion for storytelling and creative problem solving. Throughout each of her roles, Morgan has thrived in ambiguity with her process orientation and excellent communication skills. Morgan resides in Philadelphia and enjoys its lively music and arts and scene.
Jessica Shultz-Sibley
Comcast
Comcast
Jessica Shultz-Sibley
Manager of Government & Regulatory Affairs
Jessica is the Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Comcast, working specifically in Delaware, Chester, and New Castle Counties. Jessica is responsible for franchise negotiations and outreach to all municipal, county, state, and federal officials in her footprint.
Jessica is a 2010 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she majored in Communications Studies. Before accepting her role in Government Affairs, Jessica worked for four years in the Marketing Communications department, also within Comcast.
Internally, Jessica is involved with the Regional DE&I council, is the Co-Lead for the Veteran’s Network, and has served on the National DE&I Advisory Board, Sustainability Council, and as the Communications Lead for the Young Professionals Network.
Jessica has been honored as a Philly Ad Club Rising Star, Chester County Futures Volunteer of the Year, and is a member of Comcast’s Circle of Success.
Jessica is a member of the government affairs committee for the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. She holds advisory board and committee positions with The Delaware County Veteran’s Memorial and Chester County Futures, respectively. Outside of work, Jessica volunteers with The Children’s Tumor Foundation and is actively involved with St. Joseph Church and Education Center.
Jessica resides in Coatesville, Pennsylvania with her husband (Adam) and two sons (Liam and Emmett). Her lifelong love of animals has drawn her to curate her own personal zoo where she enjoys the company of a sweet Bernese Mountain Dog, two spunky Goldendoodles, and a crazy cat.
Rashmi Singh
FreeWheel
FreeWheel
Rashmi Singh
Senior Product Manager
I’m excited to be a part of the WICT Rising Leaders Program. I’m currently working as a Senior Product Manager at FreeWheel, a Comcast Company. I have been working in the AdTech industry for almost 6 years now, working on data management platform, campaign management, ad servers and various other product types. Prior to getting into the AdTech I did my master’s in business administration (MBA) from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Going to business school helped me transition from working as a software engineer to more business focused roles. In the role of software engineering, I was working with Tata Consultancy Services in India. There I worked with various multinational clients from across the world- EU broadcasters, US media & entertainment, Asian textile company and many more.
I currently live in Jersey City, NJ very close to Hudson River. So, on nice warm days I like to go out for runs around the waterfront. Otherwise in my free time, I love to read, try new recipes or watch Korean dramas.
Tiffany Smink
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Tiffany Smink
Vice President and In-House Counsel
Tiffany West Smink is currently a vice president and in-house counsel working on telephone regulatory matters at Charter Communications in Greenwood Village, Colorado. She advises on legislative and regulatory matters that impact Charter’s voice services including universal service programs and 9-1-1 requirements. She previously worked at Qwest/CenturyLink/Lumen as a state and then federal regulatory attorney. She started her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Nathaniel R. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been a litigation associate at Williams & Connolly in Washington, DC and Holland & Hart in Denver, Colorado, and has been an Assistant Attorney General in the State Services Section of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Yale Law School. She was born and raised in Washington, DC, but has spent the last twenty-five years in Denver. She is married and the proud mom of two college-age children.
Jody Smith
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Jody Smith
Director of Mobile Product
Jody Smith is a Director of Mobile Product for Charter Communications in Denver, CO. She is a product management leader responsible for new products launches for Spectrum Mobile rate plans and services. She and her team drive the product strategy, customer experience and business requirements that support all sales channels, customer service, development, and testing teams. Her accomplishments include highly strategic product launches such as 5G, Apple Watch, Spam ID, an Unlimited Plus rate plan and the $29.99 Unlimited promotion for Spectrum Mobile customers.
Prior to Charter, Jody worked at Sprint leading eCommerce and self-service initiatives within the digital marketing department that oversaw sprint.com. When Sprint partnered with Spotify to offer free Spotify Premium service, she managed a team of 50+ individuals to design the entire online experience – inbound marketing, SEO, updating purchase flows, personalized targeting, API integration with Spotify and self-service management of the customer’s Spotify service on sprint.com.
Other roles at Sprint included planning, coordinating and executing the launch of new marketing promotions and devices across multiple sales and customer care departments.
Originally from Kansas City, MO, Jody received her B.S. degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia, and a Master’s in Business degree from Webster University. She has served on the board of directors for Kansas City Women in Technology. She was a program director for Coding & Cupcakes, a STEM program designed to expose young girls to coding by building their own cupcake websites. And she has volunteered with local animal rescue organizations.
Haley Stauch
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Haley Stauch
Senior Manager of Enterprise Sales
Haley Stauch is celebrating 10 years of telecommunications experience in 2023, and is currently a Sr. Manager of Enterprise Sales at Comcast Business. She has had much success so far in her career in Direct Sales, Sales Engineering, and Sales Management business-to-business roles across major cities along the East Coast, specifically while working for AT&T and Comcast. An inherently driven, competitive and inspirational leader, Haley strives to continue molding her skills through networking and leadership opportunities inside and outside of work. Haley is located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she lives with her fiancé and Bernese Mountain Dog, Moose. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, coaching lacrosse, hiking and traveling.
Mallika Subramanyam
CommScope
CommScope
Mallika Subramanyam
Distinguished Software Engineer
Mallika Subramanyam is a Distinguished Software Engineer within the Home Networks business unit at CommScope. In this role, she provides technical leadership for the global RDK software development team and enables OTT providers to integrate and scale their video offerings with MVPDs’ entertainment platform. She has extensive experience in all phases of software development lifecycle in the consumer electronics and telecommunications industry. She is known as a trusted partner and collaborator who builds relationships with customers and development partners to maximize collective performance.
Mallika started her career with CommScope in 2006 (erstwhile: Motorola/Arris) as a software engineer. She held several internal and customer facing engineering roles in the United States and India working on video CPE devices and projects. Prior to CommScope, she was with Sanyo LSI Technology India Private Limited working on Linux device driver development.
Mallika has a master’s degree in Information Technology and Management from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication from R.V. College of Engineering, India. She resides in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband, son, and daughter. She enjoys travelling, gardening, and volunteering in various local community organizations.
Emily Thomas
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Emily Thomas
Supervisor of Content Publishing
Emily joined A+E Networks five years ago as an Associate Producer for the Broadband team under Content Distribution Services. Within a year she was promoted to Supervisor of the same team, whose core responsibilities include the publishing of all video content to A+E Networks’ owned and operated TVE and SVOD sites and apps, as well as 10+ FAST channels. Since then, she has overseen transitions of team members, team name (now Content Publishing) and team responsibilities as A+E continues to evolve with the industry and technology. One of her favorite things about her time at A+E has been being able to sit front-and-center, watching and participating in the technological and cultural evolution of streaming content.
Prior to her time at A+E Networks, Emily served as Production Manager at an independent commercial production company, located in her home state of Connecticut, which allowed her to travel often for business and work with a diverse mix of freelance crews and clients. A proud graduate of Champlain College’s Digital Filmmaking Program in Burlington, VT, Emily is forever thankful she was provided the education and opportunity to turn her arts degree into a career at a company she believes in. In her free time she enjoys reading, drawing, and spending time with her cat, Dr. Beverly Crusher.
Susan Tremewen
Cox Media
Cox Media
Susan Tremewen
Director of Inventory & Pricing
Susan Tremewen is a results-driven executive with 20 years of experience leading teams through transformations, turnarounds, and accelerated growth within telecommunications, cable, and media companies.
Passionate about data driven decision-making, Susan has dedicated her career to providing financial management and business intelligence solutions across multi-functional areas including Marketing, IT, Operations, Engineering, Regulatory and Finance. She currently holds the position of Director, Inventory & Pricing, at Cox Media, where she is setting the strategic path for Yield Management. Implementing unique and innovative approaches to pricing and inventory practices has become an important aspect of this role, as well as aligning business needs with future growth.
Her most notable accomplishments include orchestrating the financial integration of an acquired offshore telecommunications company, as well as delivering business unit consolidation, productivity, and sales initiatives producing $100 million in revenue, expense, and capital benefits.
Prior to entering the workforce, Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics at the University of Delaware. Later in her career, she earned an Executive MBA degree from Georgia State University where she was honored for academic achievement.
Advancing through a series of financial and strategic roles, Susan has been a trusted advisor throughout her career, fostering creativity, inclusivity, and ingenuity. She lives by her favorite proverb “Where there is a will, there’s a way.” Susan is active in Cox’s community service programs as well as an advocate for the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, participating in their annual 5k event.
Monica Weems
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Monica Weems
Technical Program Manager
Monica Weems, Technical Program Manager with Cox Communications in Atlanta, GA. Her focus is on Supply Chain technology solutions where she manages a team of directs reports and third-party resources. Monica specializes in leadership, communication, and managing third-party vendor resources and individuals on her team.
Monica started out with Cox Communication in Macon, GA as a Supply Chain Supervisor where she managed a high performing team of individuals. During her tenure in Macon, she was recognized by Macon Magazine as a leader in the local community and also completed the Macon Chamber of Commerce Leadership program (Class of 2017).
Monica holds a B.S. degree in Information Technology with a minor in Software Engineering and a MBA in Project Management and wealth of additional training pertaining to her work. She currently brings ten-plus years of managerial experience.
In her spare time, Monica enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. She participates in a variety of activities that contribute to her leadership development by providing different perspectives, understanding, and empathy of individuals.
Monica has a special interest in mentoring. She has mentored women at her company, facilitating their development and or transition into leadership roles. She is also a program advisor in the MentorUP reverse mentoring program. Additionally, Monica is currently volunteering with a non-profit organization “Girls of Excellence” where she is mentoring young girls that aspire to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Kristy Yucis
Comcast Cable
Comcast Cable
Kristy Yucis
Director of Environment, Occupational Health and Safety
Kristy is the Director of Occupational Health and Safety at Comcast Cable in the Corporate Environment, Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Center of Expertise. Kristy has over 20 years of experience in the Environment, Health, and Safety field. She is a certified Safety Management Specialist and a certified ISO14001 lead auditor. Her expertise lies in program management, safety culture, incident management, auditing, and risk identification and mitigation.
In her current role, Kristy focuses on the ownership and management of enterprise initiatives such as health and safety policies and procedures, driver and fleet safety, incident management and EHS data and metrics. Kristy led the implementation and is the owner of the EHS information management system, Intelex. This system houses all EHS information and data for Comcast Cable and is used by over 2,000 employees daily.
During her career, Kristy has created and managed near miss and behavior-based safety programs, managed and maintained site EHS certifications, and acted as a lead EHS auditor for various facilities and industries. She has broad EHS experience including pharmaceutical, healthcare and telecommunications companies. Throughout her tenure, Kristy led site EHS operations and managed staff, contractors, and partners. She also implemented initiatives that significantly reduced workplace injuries and illnesses.
Kristy enjoys reading, biking, and kayaking as well as volunteering for local mental health and youth advocacy groups. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband, two sons and two dogs.
November 2023
Keisha Barber
Spectrum Reach
Spectrum Reach
Keisha Barber
Manager of Media Marketing
As a Manager of Media Marketing for Spectrum Reach, the Advertising Sales division of Charter Communications, Keisha facilitates enterprise-wide Brand Marketing and Strategy initiatives through omnichannel media campaigns to build the Spectrum Reach brand and drive business growth.
Keisha’s areas of expertise include media strategy, campaign development and execution, vendor management, media performance measurement, analysis and optimization, and financial management.
As a personal passion point, Keisha serves as the content operations lead for the Spectrum Disability Business Resource Group. As the content leader for the Spectrum Disability BRG, she leads the charge in developing and sharing insightful and inspiring content that is designed to empower members of all abilities to grow and succeed. Her work with this BRG is an important part of the Diversity and Inclusion efforts at Charter.
Keisha’s passion for accessibility began while she was in her undergraduate program at the University of North Florida where she received her Bachelors of Science in Communications and minored in American Sign Language and Deaf studies.
Keisha is equally dedicated to developing her leadership skills, and was proud to have been selected by the Spectrum Reach executive team to attend the 2022 WICT Leadership Conference in NYC.
In addition to her work responsibilities, Keisha is pursuing her Masters of Science in Marketing Research and Analytics from Southern New Hampshire University. Above all else, she enjoys spending time on the Florida coast with her husband and their two daughters.
Laney Beaver
Comcast Cable Corporation
Comcast Cable Corporation
Laney Beaver
Director of Revenue Analytics
After getting her degree from Daniels College of Business, Laney headed to the telecommunications industry. Laney has worked on data teams at both Dish Network and Comcast. In her current role at Comcast, Laney leads a data and analytics team in finance.
In her free time, Laney teaches coding at Daniels, where she received her degree.
Genevieve Bochanty
A+E Networks
A+E Networks
Genevieve Bochanty
Manager of Learning & Development
Genevieve Bochanty has honed her love of people development using dynamic educational experiences throughout her career. Currently a Manager, Learning & Development with A+E Networks®, she leads numerous programs aimed at increasing the productivity and wellbeing of their employees. She prides herself in helping people thrive in their careers with thoughtful curation of learning programs that are engaging and fun!
Prior to joining A+E Networks®, Genevieve served as the Director of Learning & Development for The Art of Shaving, a Procter and Gamble brand. There, she led their Learning & Development efforts in addition to their Customer Service Department. Additionally, she functioned as a brand spokesperson interviewing with several prominent publications such as The New York Times, Men’s Health, and Essence Magazine. Genevieve started her career in commercial, music video, and documentary production at Little Minx and Cylo in Los Angeles, CA.
Genevieve has a B.A. in Mass Communications from Menlo College in Atherton, CA. She resides in Brooklyn, NY where she enjoys museums, Broadway shows, volunteering, traveling, and exploring nature any chance she gets.
Trishna Bogetic
Comcast
Comcast
Trishna Bogetic
Director, Growth Management Office, Cox2M
Trishna Bogetic currently serves as a Director of the Growth Management Office for Cox2M, a new business line within Cox Communications focused on IoT asset tracking. In her fourth year with the company, Trishna is responsible for key workstreams that allow Cox2M to thrive in a very competitive market; Trishna manages vendors, strategy, financials, new concept exploration, as well as team culture.
Trishna also serves in a dual role as a Director of the Cox Connected Environments Collaboratory at Arizona State University. Through Trishna’s leadership, the Collaboratory engages with students, staff, and research faculty at ASU to drive innovation to solve real world problems experienced by universities, cities, and regions.
Previously, Trishna worked at League of Change Institute, a non-profit organization where she led the development of two key initiatives focused on growing social impact enterprises and empowering young women and girls to have the confidence to voice their value.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada and a master’s in Green Business Management from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Canada.
Trishna has a colorful and diverse background. Of Indian descent, she was born in Kenya and grew up in Canada. Trishna currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband of 9 years and her two boys, Teddy and Rory. In her free time, Trishna enjoys traveling, surfing, and scuba diving. When schedule allows it, Trishna loves spending time designing and renovating properties.
Marissa Brooks
CBS Studios
CBS Studios
Marissa Brooks
Director of Drama Development
Marissa began her career as an intern at The Arlook Group before landing a Production Assistant gig for court tv at Entertainment Studios, which evolved into a Production Associate position. She was able to gain experience in casting, development, office and on set production. A year later, Marissa transitioned into freelance casting at 495 productions, working on reenactment segments. Once the casting season ended, she entered the agency world working at MSA Agency, which specializes in dance and choreography, followed by Innovative Artists working as an agent’s assistant in talent. Although she enjoyed working with talent, her heart was set on working in creative at a studio or network. She took everything she learned and her experiences to CBS Studios where she’s worked for six years, rising from an assistant to a Director in Drama Development. She’s developed FIRE COUNTRY (CBS), SO HELP ME TODD (CBS), THE GAME (Paramount Plus) and more. Marissa’s driven by authenticity and representation on screen and behind the camera, understanding the importance to people of all backgrounds.
Marissa was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and earned a dual degree in Television, Radio and Film from S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications, and Information Management from the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. She’s currently on the Hollywood Radio Television Society Associates board, the CBS Studios Culture and Inclusion Council, and serves as a mentor to Syracuse alumni, JHRTS members, Group Effort Initiative, and others needing the support she once needed when starting her career.
Haixi Chu
Comcast
Comcast
Haixi Chu
Senior Manager of Software Development & Engineering
Born and raised in Asia, Haixi immigrated to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities. With a passion for technology and a love for problem-solving, she trained as a computer programmer and worked her way up the ranks. Despite facing language barriers and cultural differences, Haixi never lost her drive to succeed. Her hard work and dedication eventually paid off as she was promoted to a management role in a mid-sized development team. In her current position, Haixi leads and mentors a diverse group of developers, encouraging them to reach their full potential. Under her guidance, the team has successfully delivered product features and infrastructure for the Xfinity video platform.
She is proud of her two adult children, who are both pursuing their own careers in STEM fields. Haixi is grateful for the opportunities she has had in the US and is passionate about giving back to her community. She is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and works tirelessly to support the next generation of Asian American leaders in STEM.
Amanda Cisko
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Amanda Cisko
Senior Manager of Enterprise Analysis
Amanda is an accomplished Finance leader with a successful track record of developing talent with a drive toward performance excellence. She is an innovative, ambitious, highly disciplined, and versatile business partner focused on influencing the business through collaboration and creative thinking to move the business forward. Recognized for excellent interpersonal, leadership and presentation skills to drive results through a matrix environment.
As Senior Manager of Enterprise Analysis at Cox Communications, Amanda is currently responsible for driving financial decision to Make the Plan and ensure the health of the enterprise through delivering financial analysis, modeling, and reporting to Senior Leadership. Amanda presents financial results and influences decisions within the Senior Leadership team through strategic analysis and compelling storytelling. Amanda has held other roles in Finance supporting our Capital portfolios and Sales Organization. In those roles she was responsible for providing financial insights and economic decision-making support aligned with the financial and strategic goals of the business.
Prior to joining Cox, Amanda worked as a consultant with Cohnreznick providing transaction advisory and financial modeling for Renewable Energy tax credit investments. Amanda is a graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama holding a B.A. in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and MIS. Amanda has a two-year-old daughter, Blakely, who takes up most of her time, but when she does have free time, she enjoys spending it with her golden retriever, Cooper.
Lynnette Clark
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Lynnette Clark
Director of Field Operations and Outside Plant Maintenance, Northern Virginia
As a director of field operations and outside plant maintenance for Cox Communications, Lynnette Clark is responsible for the team of technicians ensuring customers stay connected with affordable reliable internet in Northern Virginia.
She began her career at Cox more than 20 years ago as a technical support representative for customer care. After holding positions of increasing responsibility including Field Service Technician and Business Operations Manager, she was named director of field operations in 2019.
Clark believes everyone has a unique story and different set of experiences that shape them. As co-chair of the Virginia Region Inclusion Diversity & Equity Council, she helped lead the group of employee volunteers during the pandemic ensuring they felt heard and supported by the company.
Clark is a native Marylander and was a Division I Women’s Basketball Player at George Mason University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. She holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix and holds a Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification.
Active in the community, Clark has been a member of WICT since 2007, National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) and is a former president of Toastmasters International. When she’s not playing on a nationally ranked flag football team and enjoying the outdoors, Clark volunteers at local food banks and mentors youth girls basketball players.
She currently lives in Maryland with her family.
Kristin Duesterhoeft
Midco
Midco
Kristin Duesterhoeft
Growth Marketing Manager
Kristin Duesterhoeft, Growth Marketing Manager at Midco, leads the team that is focused on creating marketing strategies that drive revenue for the company. This includes developing strategies that drive new customer acquisition as well as upgrading current customers for the residential, business, properties, advertising, and sport network business lines.
Prior to joining Midco, Kristin worked at a Sioux Falls, SD advertising agency where she was a consumer insights strategist. Here she worked closely with clients to conduct research that allowed them to better understand their target audience and create stronger marketing strategies. During this time, Kristin received her Master of Science in Applied Anthropology from the University of North Texas. This background gave her the skills to look holistically at challenges and to ensure the audience is always at the center of her strategies.
In addition to her M.S. degree, Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Anthropology and Scandinavian Studies. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and two young children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, spending time outside and taking adventures with her family.
Lauren Gallagher
Effectv
Effectv
Lauren Gallagher
Director of Sales Development
Lauren Gallagher is the Director of Sales Development in the Atlantic Region at Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast. Based in Towson, MD, Lauren leads a team of media experts who partner with local and regional sales teams to deliver data-driven advertising solutions to thousands of clients in her territory. Prior to this role, Lauren served as the first Sr. Manager of Sales Development in the Northeast Region and was instrumental in Effectv’s transformation into the newly formed Sales Development model.
With 13+ years’ experience in advertising and media, Lauren sharpened her industry knowledge by holding different roles in the organization including Sales, Finance and Client Development. In her leadership journey, Lauren practices change management and coaches teams through industry and organizational change. She is experienced in building and scaling best practices across the enterprise, developing best-in-class workflows and leading large-scale projects and initiatives. She holds a Master of Science in Technology Management from University of Maryland Global Campus, MBA in Marketing Management and Master of Management degrees from Goldey-Beacom College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Towson University. Lauren is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and infuses project management best practices into her role as a leader every day.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys traveling, frequenting Universal Orlando Resort and is new to the growing sport of pickleball!
Sangeeta Gehani
Comcast
Comcast
Sangeeta Gehani
Senior Manager of Software Development and Engineering
Warren Buffett’s quote “The most important investment you can make is in yourself” is the guiding principle behind my career and driving force behind my recent completion of my MS degree in information technology management at the Kelley School of Business.
During my early education in India, I displayed a strong aptitude for Finance and Economics and earned an undergraduate degree in Commerce from Jai Hind College. Over the next several years, I gained valuable content knowledge, business experience and client management skills, and continued to leverage opportunities to augment my credentials through professional certifications and leadership training. In 2006, life intervened with the birth of my son and I had to take a hiatus from my career to care for him. During the recession, I had to make a career change and invested in computer programming and IT quality assurance methods. My efforts were not in vain. I have experienced considerable success at Comcast as a woman in a male-dominated profession, having received several excellence awards and promotions.
Given that Comcast was on digital transformation mission it became increasingly clear to me that I would need to upgrade my skills, knowledge, and expertise to gain necessary credibility to succeed. Kelley’s program in Information Technology Management proved ideal for me in this quest and I am confident that this investment in myself will yield the highest dividends.
Lauren Gibel
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Lauren Gibel
Director of the Growth Management Office
Lauren Gibel is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the Telecom Industry, where she has excelled in business operations, strategic initiative management, and product management. With a proven track record of managing complex projects, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and leading cross-functional teams, Lauren is a go-to leader for navigating challenging situations and finding creative solutions to complex roadblocks.
Currently serving as Chief of Staff to the General Manager of Cox Edge, one of Cox’s latest ventures, Lauren is at the forefront of helping Cox define and execute its vision for the future. In this capacity, Lauren leads the Growth Management Office for Cox Edge, and is focused on establishing and scaling new business concepts that will drive the company’s success in the years to come.
Before joining Cox Communications in 2018, Lauren spent six years at AT&T, where she held a range of key roles, including Lead Product Development Manager, Senior Product Marketing Manager for att.net and uverse.com, and Account Executive for the Premier Client Group. Additionally, Lauren completed the AT&T Business Sales Leadership Development Program, allowing her to begin her career with extensive knowledge of the Telecom industry.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she honed her skills in finance, technology, and business operations. When she’s not busy charting Cox’s course to success, Lauren enjoys indulging her passion for good food, whether it’s cooking up a storm in the kitchen or sampling the latest culinary offerings. Lauren resides in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and their six-month-old daughter Scarlett, who keep her grounded and inspired in equal measure.
Julie Griffiths
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Julie Griffiths
Director of Revenue & Subscriber Forecasting
Julie Griffiths is the Director of Revenue & Subscriber Forecasting in the Marketing Analytics Organization at Charter Communications. She has been with Charter for eight years and manages the subscriber forecast for Residential and Small Business Cable and Mobile Operations. Prior to Charter, Julie spent seven years in Revenue Management within the Hospitality Industry. Julie has brought dedication and positive results to the companies she has worked for through her passion for marketing and business statistics.
When not working, Julie loves spending time with her family and bringing her home reno Pinterest boards to life. She also volunteers on the Board of Directors of the Community Nursery School of Wilton. Julie lives in Wilton, Connecticut with her husband and four daughters.
Kasandra Gunter Robinson
TV One
TV One
Kasandra Gunter Robinson
Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Content Distribution & Marketing
Kasandra Gunter Robinson is the Director of Marketing & Partnerships on the Content Distribution and Marketing Team at TV One. She develops campaign strategy, creative executions, and manages the implementation of network initiatives and activations in collaboration with affiliate partners. She is proud to have worked on the launch of the all-new CLEO TV network. Her passion for diversity, specifically, women and the AA market, are what drives her interest in the industry.
Before joining TV One, Kasandra served as the Division Chief, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. She is a certified MBA Career Coach and merged her passion for business and social impact as Associate Director, MBA Career Coaching at the University of Maryland, RH Smith School of Business. Prior to this, she worked at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C. as the Senior Director of Marketing/PR where she implemented initiatives that elevated the brand, increased awareness, donations, and corporate sponsorships.
Kasandra also had roles at GM in New Product Research and Brand Management at Cadillac where her work impacted several new car launches. She started her professional career in pharmaceutical sales at Abbott Laboratories having achieved top regional ranking. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.
In her personal time, she enjoys reading, music, travel, design, tennis, golf and serving on the board of several local organizations. Kasandra resides in Maryland with her husband and 16-year-old son.
Megan Happ
Paramount+
Paramount+
Megan Happ
Director of Program and Originals Marketing
Megan Happ is a Director of Program and Originals Marketing at Paramount+. In this role, Megan is responsible for launching the 360 marketing campaigns for Paramount+ Drama and Comedy series, ranging from titles including 1923 and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies to Beavis and Butt-Head.
Prior to this role, Megan spent several years in the linear business. She started at ESPN as a Media Coordinator, working on media plans that supported sporting tentpoles including the NBA Finals, Wimbledon and College Football. She then transitioned to Comedy Central, where she launched marketing campaigns for series including The Daily Show, Broad City and South Park. She later took on these same responsibilities for series and tentpole events on MTV and VH1, including the VMAs and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
During her tenure at Paramount Global, Megan has been recognized for her work in the industry. In 2020, she received the Cynopsis Rising Star award. In 2021, she led the development of the Awkwafina is Nora from Queens campaign, winning awards for the media plans and 7-Train Takeover from AdWeek, Promax, Digiday, OAAA and the Clios. In 2023, Megan led the charge on breaking the Guinness World Record for World’s Largest Serving of Nachos in celebration of the return of Beavis and Butt-Head.
Megan holds a Bachelor of Communications from Boston University and was a member of the Swimming & Diving team for four years there.
When she is not working on launching your next favorite TV show, she spends her time swimming and being active, cross-stitching and enjoying all things New York. She is a native of Royersford, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in New York, New York.
Patti Hewitt
iconectiv
iconectiv
Patti Hewitt
Senior Manager of Global Events and Association Memberships
Patti Hewitt, Sr. Manager Global Events and Association Memberships , at iconectiv, oversees all corporate and business events including virtual experiences. As a trusted business leader, she has an established history of working in the telecommunications industry. Hewitt started her career at Witter Publishing, where she managed and organized trade shows for several niche publications before taking on several marketing roles with German-based telecommunication systems integrator, Controlware, GmbH. An engaged member of many industry associations, she serves as a member of the Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) Event Committee, hosted a GSMA Fraud and Security Group (FASG & SEGF) conference and works closely with members of the Communications Fraud Control Association (CFCA) , Professional Association for Customer Engagement (PACE), Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA) to educate the industry on trusted communications. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rider University.
Katie Holliday
Hallmark Media
Hallmark Media
Katie Holliday
Account Executive
Katie Holliday is an Account Executive in the NY office of Hallmark Media, where she represents both the Hallmark Media linear networks (Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama) as well as the Hallmark Media digital and social properties.
Prior to joining Hallmark Media, Katie was an Account Executive within NBC Universal’s Ad Sales division and held responsibility for selling over $100mm+ annually of linear, digital, streaming, data, and events for NBCU’s OnePlatform. In her 20-year career at NBC Universal, Katie also held various media sales roles within NBC News and NBC Primetime.
Katie has extensive experience in media sales for Fortune 500 companies worldwide, and prides herself on a strong agency and client focus with a long-term and consultative approach. Katie’s deep knowledge of the media landscape, her thorough and diligent approach to client service, her integrity, and her exceptionally high standards help her stand out as a trusted client advisor. She has particular focus on large-scale partnership sales and project management, including E*TRADE & CNBC’s Closing Bell, IBM & NBCU’s Hybrid Cloud campaign, and Chex & Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas partnership.
Katie lives in NYC with her husband and two daughters. Her hobbies include fitness, reading, and volunteering. She actively mentors female media professionals both informally and via formal programs like SheRunsIt. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.
Liz Irwin
GCI Communications
GCI Communications
Liz Irwin
Program Manager of Distributed Workforce
Bridget Jackson
Peacock TV
Peacock TV
Bridget Jackson
Marketing Partnerships Manager
Fueled by relationship building and the media industry, Bridget Jackson is a Marketing Partnerships Manager at Peacock TV, NBCUniversal’s streaming service. In this role, Bridget oversees marketing relationships with Peacock’s MVPD partners owning strategic planning and execution. In this role, Bridget has managed full scale partner launches and daily partner management, operationalizing processes to reach strategic business goals while crafting tailored partner approaches. Her expertise lies in go to market strategy, storytelling and big picture thinking — while mastering execution and connecting dots.
Prior to Peacock, Bridget worked at Chief, a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. After graduating from SUNY Oswego, Bridget began her career in the NBCUniversal Page Program — the premier early career rotational program for media, working for 1 year across the company for shows such as Saturday Night Live and the TODAY Show. Bridget’s personal passions include supporting female education and mental health advocacy. In 2019, she ran the New York City Marathon to raise funds for NAMI NYC, an organization that helps individuals and families affected by mental illness build better lives. Her interests include consumer technology, psychology, traveling – and of course, the media industry.
Cheryl Joynt
FreeWheel
FreeWheel
Cheryl Joynt
Manager of Account Management
Cheryl Joynt is the Manager of Account Management at FreeWheel. Cheryl grew up in south central Virginia and attended Virginia Tech University obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Business Education. She currently resides in Richmond, VA enjoying hiking, reading and travel.
Cheryl has been at FreeWheel for 16 years and worked with agency clients building strong relationships over the years. As manager of a client facing team, she is responsible for keeping the team motivated and informed. Cheryl leads weekly team meetings focusing on relevant topics, including lively discussions on current projects or obstacles to success.
In the last year, Cheryl worked to launch a successful new product, Campaign Manager. To implement the new tool within our political agencies, she collaborated with sales, and product teams, to build processes and add structure. The project included establishing workflows and building out Wikis to keep the project team informed. She also worked with the FreeWheel Women’s ERG, transitioning from FreeWheel Women to Women in Advertising and Media, co-leading the group to a more inclusive structure across FreeWheel, Effectv and Comcast Advertising.
Jill Juran
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Jill Juran
Training Solutions Consultant
Jill Juran is a trusted advisor in co-creating innovative development solutions, mapping out the journey, and executing the plan to deliver results for her client groups at Cox Communications. In her 20 plus year career at Cox Communications Jill has had the privilege and honor to lead the development and implementation of pivotal award-winning leadership programs at regional and national levels. Jill holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation through the International Coach Federation; coaching teams and individuals as they strive to achieve their goals and dreams.
Jill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Minnesota, Moorhead. After college, Jill traded the distinct four seasons of Minnesota for less distinct seasons of sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. Jill enjoys hiking and golfing with family and friends as well as volunteering at her local blood bank, Vitalant.
Monica Lee
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast NBCUniversal
Monica Lee
Senior Manager of Global Benefits
Monica Lee is a Senior Manager of Global Benefits at Comcast NBCUniversal. Throughout her 16-year tenure at Comcast, Monica has supported the Total Rewards team with healthcare strategy, RFPs, program implementations, communications, project management and program/vendor management with a focus on supporting the overall physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of Comcast employees and their families.
Monica received a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and a Human Resources Management Certification through UCLA Extension. She is Scrum Master Certified and has a background in advertising and graphic design.
Monica resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, two daughters and their dog, Ollie. On the weekends you can find Monica cheering for her kids on the soccer field, exploring hole-in-the-wall restaurants in and around LA, or binge-listening to her favorite true-crime podcasts.
Susan Louangaphay
CommScope
CommScope
Susan Louangaphay
Global Procurement Leader
A procurement leader with an extensive knowledge in driving cost savings through process improvement, effective negotiations, and optimizing supply channels. Results-oriented with more than 15 years of global experience in sourcing consumer products, memory chips and managing supply base across the US, EMEA, and APAC regions. Successfully managed and directed purchasing teams in various industries: Cable & Telecommunications, Chemical and Healthcare-Retail.
I live in Pennsylvania with my husband and two teen-aged children. I enjoy family gatherings; love traveling and appreciate yoga!
Tiffany Markus
Cox Business
Cox Business
Tiffany Markus
Director of Sales
As the Director of Sales for Cox Business, Tiffany Markus serves as a key member of San Diego market leadership team, developing sales and revenue growth strategies for the Enterprise segment. Tiffany is a change leadership expert, known for taking a creative approach to strategy and implementation for numerous transformation initiatives. She has been recognized multiple times within Cox Business for her sales performance and was a member of San Diego Metro Magazines 40 under 40 List in 2018. Prior to joining Cox Business, Tiffany held sales and leadership positions with both Comcast Business and Time Warner Cable Business Class, now Spectrum Enterprise. Spending her entire career working on the business side of major cable providers, has given her a unique perspective and distinct advantage.
Kara Marrujo
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Kara Marrujo
Senior Manager of Publicity
Kara Marrujo currently serves as the Senior Manager of Publicity for Lifetime Television and has been with the company since 2007. Based in Los Angeles, Marrujo is responsible for managing and spearheading the overall publicity campaigns for many Lifetime movies and series.
In her current role, she oversees the publicity efforts for the network’s holiday programming stunt It’s a Wonderful Lifetime, runs point on publicity campaigns for films such as ratings winners – Reba McEntire’s The Hammer and hip hop biopic Salt-N-Pepa, holiday favorites – Feliz NaviDad and Steppin’ Into the Holiday and has worked on popular nonfiction series such as Little Women: LA and Married at First Sight.
Prior to working in publicity, Marrujo spent many years as the department Coordinator and then Manager of Nonfiction Programming at Lifetime. During that time she focused on the creative for current programs such as Project Runway and The Houstons: On Our Own.
A graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Marrujo earned a BA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and reading new books.
Lena Masterson
Comcast
Comcast
Lena Masterson
Director of Software Development & Engineering
Lena Masterson is an award-winning technologist and leader with over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. She started her career as an Interior Communications Electrician in the US Navy and went on to work for industry leaders such as, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Andrew Corporation.
In her current role as Director, Software Development & Engineering at Comcast, she is responsible for overseeing and driving the successful execution of highly complex projects that deliver the development, integration, and operating capabilities for the Order and Marketing domains.
Lena is a committed advocate for the creation of career growth and learning opportunities; with an emphasis on those wanting to transition from non-technical into a technical role. She is passionate about “getting others there before she did”, which she spoke about in her keynote speech at the 2022 Women in Tech Global Awards.
Lena holds a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from University of Maryland, University College, an executive leadership certification from Cornell University and multiple professional certifications.
Three words to describe her: Altruistic, Collaborative, and Outcome Focused.
Kim McLain
Comcast
Comcast
Kim McLain
Senior Human Resources Manager
My name is Kim McLain, and my current role is a Senior Human Resources Manager supporting time away and timekeeping activities for 5,000+ employees across multiple client groups. Prior to my current position, I held people leader roles supporting operational business needs for call centers in a variety of functions: quality, workforce, implementation, and help desk. I have been a Comcast employee for over 15 years and have been leading people for 22 plus years. I am passionate about leading others, managing projects, and change management.
During my employment at Comcast, I completed my bachelor’s degree in business administration (2011) and my master’s degree in business management (2013). I am an advocate of higher education and connect interested employees to resources at Comcast to help them achieve their educational goals. I am my best when learning, which is why I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the 2023 Rising Leaders Program and learning along side with everyone in my cohort.
I live and work virtually from Hillsboro, Oregon. In my free time, I am a softball coach at the high school I graduated from. I enjoy connecting with others and giving back to the community in this manner as I love the sport and played throughout my childhood. Softball taught me a lot about supporting others, being a team player, and hard works pays off. It also created strong friendships I still have today.
Courtney McLellan
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Courtney McLellan
Senior Manager of Programming Accounting
Courtney McLellan is the Senior Manager of Programming Accounting at Charter Communications. Her department is responsible for recording expense, and ultimately paying, for our individual cable programmers according to their specific contract terms. She specializes in contract compliance for premium, retransmission, and regional sports channels, while indirectly managing a team of up to 10 accountants in a shared resource model. In this role, Courtney manages the programming audit process between our programmers and a third-party vendor by providing all necessary data, facilitating all follow up correspondence between Charter, the auditors, and our programming vendors. She then works closely with the legal and programming compliance teams to determine validity of the audit deliverables and facilitate settlement agreements.
Courtney helped integrate Time Warner Cable and Bright House Network’s 10 million+ subscribers into Charter’s existing subscriber footprint for payment and reporting requirements in 2016 after Charter’s acquisition of TWC. She helped her department implement several critical tools to ensure accurate reporting including a new multi-layer database (Nestor) that calculates programming expense and an internal program (ADS) that ensures Charter’s subscribers are accurately categorized, allowing automation of many of our calculations.
Prior to Courtney joining Charter in 2008, she received her degree in Finance from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA and her M.B.A. from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, MO. She is also a graduate of WICT’s Premier Management Development Series and attended several WICT Leadership Conferences.
Mattie Meachum
Comcast
Comcast
Mattie Meachum
Senior Manager of Sourcing and Governance
I have been with Comcast since 2011 and started my career as a frontline agent in the Collections Center of Excellence. My career journey took off from there as I shortly became promoted to a New Hire Training Lead, a Trainer, a Supervisor, a Training Supervisor, a Comcast Business Supervisor, a Residential Manager, and started my current role as a Sr. Manager of Sourcing and governance in 2021. I love working for Comcast for the past 12 years and the most exciting thing about my current role is being able to travel to different countries to visit the call centers that I support. I currently support sites in Alexandria Egypt and Johannesburg South Africa, and have supported sited in Montego Bay Jamaica and Davao Philippines in the past .When I’m not working you can find me eating dinner at my mom’s house every Sunday, hanging with family and friends, taking my corgi Stella on walks and to the dog park, and playing video games if I have the time.
Kim Messimer
Comcast Cloud Organization
Comcast Cloud Organization
Kim Messimer
Director of Kubernetes Engineering, Cloud Organization
I grew up in Northern Virginia but have been in Denver, CO for 15 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from Virginia Tech and a Masters Degree in Computer Information Systems from Denver University
I started my career working for Northrop Grumman with most of my time spent working on the Missile Defense Program at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs. I started my career at Comcast in 2013 as a contractor with VIPER and was later hired as a FTE in 2014. My early days at VIPER were spent supporting and maintaining deployments for many of their products including AltCon, Big Data, and Player. I was also part of the initial team that deployed the first Kubernetes cluster for VIPER in 2015 that supported the in-house built cDVR product, RIO. This Kubernetes platform (and all of its underlying network, infrastructure and hardware) grew over the years and was named RDEI (Rapidly Deployed Elastic Infrastructure). It is a private cloud platform that is now deployed into over 50 data centers with 90+ clusters across the US, Canada and Europe, supporting many applications. While with VIPER I also spent a very rewarding time managing the incredibly talented Rio Storage team.
About two years ago I was given the opportunity to move over to the Cloud Organization and manage the Kubernetes Engineering Team. Today this team manages and operates multiple Kubernetes platforms including RDEI, CaaS and CTS.
Elise Milnes Chester
Comcast
Comcast
Elise Milnes Chester
Director of Employee Communications
I am an award-winning strategic communications professional with more than 18 years of experience across a diverse set of industries including hospitality, higher education and most recently media and technology at Comcast. Leveraging my strengths of creativity, compassion and collaboration—I love to bring a company’s strategic mission and vision to life. I am extremely passionate about creating diverse, equitable and inclusive work environments and have spent the last three years leading communications as an active member of Comcast’s West Division DE&I Council. As a proud first-generation graduate holding a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration, I believe in the power of education. When not writing, I am chasing around three young children or cycling and hiking through Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Jessica Morris
Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery
Jessica Morris
Director of Marketing Strategy
Jessica (Jess) Morris is the Director of Marketing Strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery, responsible for driving tune-in and strategic brand development for Magnolia Network. In this role, she leads brand campaigns and daily operations for the network including ideation, strategy, and implementation across multiple distribution platforms. Jess works cross-departmentally to develop integrated marketing campaigns for on-air media, print, digital and paid social to build awareness and drive viewership for Magnolia Network.
In her previous role, Jess was on the Home Promotions team where she collaborated on all facets of multi-platform sponsorships and strategy for three home giveaways each year.
Jess is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and lives just outside of Knoxville, TN with her husband, two children and two shelter pups. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and tackling home renovation projects.
Lea Anne Nelson
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Lea Anne Nelson
Manager of Learning Operations and Education
My professional and personal passion is transforming people and organizations from “settling for what they have” into excelling and reaching the goals they have set for themselves and their business.
Career highlights to date include: Creating a highly successful Leadership Development Program for high potential performers that broke down organization barriers and equipped the next generation of leaders; Establishing onboarding programs that resulted in improved employee retention; Implementing award-winning learning program evaluation practices that link learning to performance and impact on business results; Creating learning pathways and development programs that lifted employees into new positions and different lines of business within the organization; Creating technology exchange programs and employee engagement opportunities through ERGs and other organization culture enrichment initiatives; Establishing a nationwide team that manages learning operations for development and delivery of training programs for 18,000 people across 17 states.
Throughout my career in learning and development, I have created solutions that align professional development of individuals with the strategic goals of the organization and implemented evaluation practices that build visibility into the impact of learning on employee retention, performance, and business results.
When I’m not strategizing and creating with work colleagues, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our new adventures as “empty nesters”. We visit our sons at Virginia Tech and attend football games, head to our little place at Lake Gaston, or enjoy time at the beach. We are currently taking golf lessons and learning to play pickleball, so far, so good!
Tracy Nguyen
Comcast
Comcast
Tracy Nguyen
Director of Data and Analytics
Tracy Nguyen started her career as a teacher in downtown Los Angeles, CA after graduating with a Bachelors in Mathematics and Masters in Education from UCLA. She transitioned to the corporate world after getting her second Masters in Statistics from Columbia University. She worked as a business intelligence analyst for artnet (an art analytics company) before coming to Freewheel, a Comcast Company as a Data Scientist to research and prototype new analytical solutions and statistical algorithms to address various advertising applications. In her current role as a Director of Data and Analytics, Tracy focuses on bringing advanced data driven capabilities to existing and future products to add value and align the company’s strategy and goals with that of its clients. This includes taking on a leadership role and working in close coordination with product managers, engineering staff, commercialization, and external clients to ensure complex data science concepts and work streams are clearly communicated to build innovative data-driven analytical solutions. Tracy embodies a “Get it done” attitude and leads strategic cross functional projects creating new value-add solutions to complex problems within the advertising industry. Outside the office, Tracy is an avid snowboarder, hiker and scuba driver residing in NYC.
Carrie Nichols
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Carrie Nichols
Enterprise Sales Director
Carrie Nichols joined the telecommunications and technology industry over 26 years ago. In that time, she has held positions in both sales executive and leadership roles. She has been a fierce and bold competitor in each position. Carrie is currently Enterprise Sales Director for Comcast Business, where she has responsibility for sales teams across three states in the Mountain West Region.
Carrie prides herself on being a servant leader and is steadfast in her commitment to the personal development of the people in her organization. She believes the most effective teams have a culture of collaboration, creativity and authenticity. Carrie also believes in the value of embracing being comfortable getting uncomfortable. This means learning from mistakes, and is where real growth happens. Creating this kind of culture is what enables her to build high performing sales teams who consistently deliver best in class results. Carrie is recognized for her ability to inspire people to win and feel accountability to themselves, the team, and the company. She is forward thinking and a change agent. Carrie also believes you must love your job, and have fun doing it.
Carrie resides in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. When not working, you will find her enjoying all the amazing activities Colorado has to offer. She loves to be outside as much as possible so she is typically golfing, paddle boarding, hiking, skiing or watching a baseball game. She cherishes time spent with family and friends and is always up for a concert and some dancing.
Carrie is honored to be part of the WICT Rising Leaders Program and is looking forward to being surrounded by many extraordinary women in the telecommunications industry.
Paige Payne
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Paige Payne
Director of Marketing Analytics
A career analytics professional, Paige is the Director of Marketing Analytics for Comcast Business focused on the small and medium businesses. In her role she leverages her skills in advanced analytics and storytelling to transform data into comprehensive and impactful insights for partners across Comcast. Along with her team, they play a key role in identifying new growth and positioning opportunities for Comcast Business in the marketplace.
Prior to her current role, Paige led Sales and Marketing Analytics for Comcast’s Central Division where she specialized in sales channel performance, offer analytics, and product launch performance including Xfinity xFi Complete. Before her time with Comcast, she spent 5 years with Kohl’s Department Stores providing analytics support for their Marketing Channels, Offer Strategy and Loyalty Programs.
Paige’s enthusiasm for analytics stems from her education from University of Wisconsin when she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science – Psychology. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband and loves spending time discovering new restaurants, cooking new dishes with her cookbook club, and watching the latest hit drama series.
Sarah Peterson
Xfinity Mobile
Xfinity Mobile
Sarah Peterson
Senior Product Manager
Sarah currently serves as a Senior Product Manager for Xfinity Mobile focusing on product portfolio strategy and execution. She is responsible for aligning with senior leadership cross-functionally to ensure on-time delivery of planned Xfinity Mobile product releases, as well as understanding and effectively communicating changes in the wireless industry landscape to steer the product portfolio toward features to increase revenue and a better customer experience. Sarah joined Comcast as a Manager in May 2021, where she originally helped to lead XM’s go-to-market strategy, specifically for plans and services.
Before Comcast, Sarah spent five years at KPMG as a management consultant, focusing on strategy and change management for the telecommunications and healthcare industries. Notable clients include AT&T, CVS Health, and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Sarah received a dual B.A. degree in Journalism and International Relations from Penn State University. She currently resides in Philadelphia with her boyfriend. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts and is a dedicated Phillies season ticket holder.
Debbie Radcliffe
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Debbie Radcliffe
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
Debbie Radcliffe is Director of Financial Planning & Analysis for Cox Communications. In this role, she is the strategic leader for the financial client support team supporting New Business Ventures. Debbie is responsible for leading consultative services and strategic financial analyses to proactively influence operating decisions to ensure shared business goals are achieved today and in the future.
In her 18 years at Cox Communications, she has held various roles throughout the CFO organization. Prior to her current role, Debbie was Senior Business Manager for Cox Business, Florida Georgia focusing on collaborative partnerships to drive positive results versus key business objectives. She is a versatile finance leader with extensive background in client support complimented by diverse talents in data storytelling, financial planning, operational support, and process optimization.
Prior to joining Cox Communications, Debbie had a progressive 18-year career with Eckerd Drug Corporation with roles in Finance and Merchandising departments. Her last position with Eckerd was Director of Pricing and Ad Management. She was responsible for leading the strategic direction and operational maintenance for front-end pricing of more than 18K items in 2,800 stores in 23 states.
Debbie, a Certified Public Accountant, received her BA, Accounting Information Systems, from University of West Florida. During her personal time, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, and fishing.
Mabel Ramirez Garcia
XUMO
XUMO
Mabel Ramirez Garcia
Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis
Mabel holds a position as a Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis for XUMO (Effectv) at Comcast. She leads the advertising finance group for XUMO Play, an ad-supported streaming service, and a newly formed Joined Venture between Comcast and Charter. She is responsible for developing budgets and forecasts for the business, reporting financial results and key metrics to leadership, and maintaining relationships with partners and vendors. Prior to holding this position, she worked as an internal auditor in Comcast, and external auditor in PwC for their Asset Management practice in New York City. She is a Certified Public Accountant, and has successfully completed certifications in Cornell University in Hotel Revenue Management, as well the Emerging Leaders Program at the London School of Economics.
Mabel was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she also completed her bachelor’s degree in Accounting in University of Puerto Rico. Eager to learn more about the world, she took on the adventure of studying abroad in Portugal for a semester, where she met her (now) husband, another adventurer from Poland. They now live in Philadelphia and enjoy travelling back home to Puerto Rico and Poland to visit family, as well as exploring new places around the world.
Stacy Renfrow
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Stacy Renfrow
Senior Manager, Software Development and Information Technology Department
Stacy is honored to have been selected for the WICT Rising Leaders Program. She has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 25 years, gaining a wealth of business/industry knowledge from extremely talented individuals and amazing leaders. Every job held has been a learning experience that has continued to both inspire and challenge her daily. Stacy has experience in international and domestic Customer Service, Business Planning, Project Management and Manufacturing; leading teams in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Canada, and various locations within the States. For the past 8 years, Stacy has been a Sr. Manager in the Software Development and Information Technology (SDIT) Department at Charter Communications. She leads a team of application administrators and software developers supporting telemetry tools that provide insights into server infrastructure, applications, and networks/network devices. Stacy holds Master’s degrees in Professional Counseling, Business Administration, Information Technology Management and is currently pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity.
The most rewarding moments in her career include participating with the Charter Communications, Rebuilding Together and Red Cross partnerships in St. Louis, MO area communities making home repairs and installing home safety features. Stacy has volunteered in fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish Foundation, served as a member of the Consumer Electronics Association Customer Care Council, attended NAMIC Leadership Training and is an active member of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m Possible’.” – Audrey Hepburn
Sonia Reynolds
Comcast
Comcast
Sonia Reynolds
Senior Manager of Comcast Corporate IT Support
I am Sonia Reynolds, Sr. Manager of Comcast Corporate IT Support. I am originally from Arizona and moved to Colorado 12 years ago to start a new path with my husband and children. I decided at age 39 to go back to college to obtain a degree in IT to further my education in field of technology. Joining Comcast as a Manager 5 years ago has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader. I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my family. You can always find me rooting for my favorite college team the Arizona Wildcats any time they are playing.
Stephanie Rose
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Stephanie Rose
Senior Publicity Manager
Based in New York, Stephanie Rose is a Senior Publicity Manager for Lifetime Television and has been with the company since 2013. In her current role, she is responsible for managing and leading publicity campaigns for various Lifetime original and acquired movies and series.
Stephanie was part of the A&E PR team for 5 years before moving over to the sister bran, working on projects such as Bates Motel and Critics’ Choice Awards. She started as an assistant and worked her way up to her current title, where she oversees publicity efforst for the network’s holiday stunt, It’s a Wonderful Lifetime, which includes Lifetime’s first ever holiday trilogy, Merry Little Christmas, starring and executive produced by Kelly Rowland. She also oversees Ripped from the Headlines films, Book to Screen adaptions and the current season of the hit nonfiction series, Married at First Sight. She also led publicity efforts for Lifetime’s Original Miniseries Flowers in the Attic: The Origin, the successful prequel to Flowers in the Attic.
Prior to joining A+E Networks, Stephanie interned at Entertainment Tonight, where she learned many skills, including how to manage a red carpet and interact with high level talent. Her experience there was instrumental to her success in her current role.
Stephanie graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Communication and Rhetorical Studies. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and watching TV and reading.
Leah Scholz
GCI
GCI
Leah Scholz
Director of Mobile Product Marketing
Mandy Schultz
Comcast
Comcast
Mandy Schultz
Senior Manager of TS COE
Mandy Schultz serves as the Sr. Manager of TS COE for Comcast. Additionally, she serves as the Program Manager for CareerAdvance, the Care progression program, for the West Division. Comcast is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. In her role, she is responsible for building a healthy Organizational Health culture and ensuring all employees “Do the Right Thing.”
Before joining Comcast, Mandy served as the Operations Manager for a woman-owned recruiting firm in Texas.
In 2020 Mandy received the partner of the year award for the Onboarding Center of Excellence. In 2012, she was presented with the Comcast Houston Leadership Award and in 2016 was selected to participate in the company’s esteemed Fundamentals of Leadership program.
Mandy is an active member of Society of Human Resource Management and Women in Cable Telecommunications.
A native of Texas, Mandy earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Capella University.
Jennifer Setchel
Cox Communications
Cox Communications
Jennifer Setchel
Senior Manager of Finance Business Operations
Jennifer Setchel is a Senior Finance Manager at Cox Communications supporting the Company’s technology organization. She provides finance client support to Cox’s Chief Technology Officer and Finance Leadership. She has held various Finance and Accounting roles at Cox within the past ten years including Financial Reporting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Audit Support, and Client Support. These roles have been held at Cox Enterprises, Cox Media Group, and Cox Communications. Before Cox, she was an audit associate at Ernst & Young within the financial services group. What Jennifer enjoys most in her current role is bringing people together to tackle complex issues, while continuing to learn about Cox’s strategic initiatives. She is a firm believer that people are a company’s greatest asset and values building connections and strong working relationships. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Accountancy degree from Vanderbilt University’s Graduate School of Management. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. Outside of work, Jennifer is engaged in volunteer and fundraising activities at her children’s school. She enjoys traveling and creating family memories with her husband and two daughters.
Shimul Shah
Comcast
Comcast
Shimul Shah
Senior Director of Enterprise Solutions
Shimul Shah serves as a Senior Director within the Enterprise Solutions team at Comcast. In this role, she partners with various internal teams to provide strategic technology enablement to drive business initiatives.
Shimul is a leader in Enterprise Technologies and has spent the last 25 years of her career focused on strategic technology planning and transformation and partnering with business teams to enable their objectives. Her focus is currently in the areas of intelligent automation and robotics process automation, enterprise content management and secure file transfer, specialized financial applications, and global treasury technologies. Previously Shimul has also managed technology teams focused on other platforms including business intelligence, financial applications, CRM, ERP, and database.
Her strengths lie in building team structure and frameworks for successful demand management and delivery, managing day to day DevOps teams, and driving operational and process excellence for several large and complex organizations. She has led multiple business and IT transformations, related to modernizing organizational and operating models.
Shimul graduated from Boston University with a BSBA and later attended Drexel University’s LEAD program where she earned her MBA. She currently resides in New Hope, PA with her husband, son, and daughter.
Lindrea Spence
Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Lindrea Spence
Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition Operations
Swathi Srinivasan
Comcast Cable Communications
Comcast Cable Communications
Swathi Srinivasan
Senior Product Manager
Chandana Srirama
Comcast
Comcast
Chandana Srirama
Director
Hannah Denham
Comcast
Comcast
Hannah Denham
Senior Manager of Human Resources
Hannah is a Human Resources professional with over 12 years’ experience, four years within the telecom industry. She has a passion for organizational and teammate growth. She prides herself on execution excellence, building trusted relationships, and her personal leadership – empowering the right people and sharing knowledge.
Hannah joined Comcast as a Human Resources Business Partner in 2019 and continues to be fascinated with the ever-changing and fluid telecom environment. In her role, she partners alongside the business to focus on organizational strategy, employee engagement, leadership development, and change management. Most recently Hannah was asked to support an international acquisition. She has been leading teammates through integration initiatives, organizational change, and expanding her Philippines and United Kingdom employment knowledge.
Prior to Comcast, Hannah started her HR career in the railroad industry. She worked for BNSF Railway in several HR capacities including, HR Generalist, Manager, Sr. Manager, and Director, across the western two-thirds of the United States. She gained experience working through complex employee relations cases, employee development, mass hiring initiatives, HR training development and delivery, and supported unionized and non-unionized employees.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and Australian Shepard dog. Hannah and her husband have a busy 1.5-year-old daughter and are excited to welcome a second little girl in March. They love the outdoors, activities with their local church, and enjoy a good binge-worthy show.
Hannah is honored and excited to be part of WICT’s 2023 Rising Leaders Program!
Michelle Tesche
Comcast Cable
Comcast Cable
Michelle Tesche
Software Development & Engineering Director
Michelle Tesche is a Software Development & Engineering Director for Comcast Cable within the TPX organization, with over 12 years’ experience, with a focus in software development management for their employee and contractor experiences. Michelle grew up in Ridley Township, PA and holds a BS in Communication Disorders from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She prides herself on communication and transparency. Michelle is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to “be who they are and be that well,” to encourage them to continue grow and succeed. She approaches her personal life in a similar fashion, she will observe, listen, guide and mentor, all while keeping the goal/vision in the forefront. Michelle’s recent focus was the return to office program that allowed the employees within the Comcast enterprise footprint, to return to work in a safe and simple manner. She oversaw the Scanning and Contact tracing application that leverage technology, medical and employee engagement to track daily health screenings and covid cases. The RTO program awarded Michelle and her colleagues the 2022 Comcast employee engagement circle of success award. She is inspired daily by her husband and her 3 boys (18) and daughter (16). In her free time, Michelle enjoys working out, is an avid runner and loves spending time at the fields with her 4 kids watching them at their respective sports.
Adriana Tidwell
GCI Communications Corp
GCI Communications Corp
Adriana Tidwell
Manager, Business Technical Support
My name is Adriana Tidwell and I work for GCI Communications Corp as a Manager with Business Technical Support in our Service Management Center. GCI is Alaska’s most advanced network providing various services to many of our rural regions. Alaska being equal to one-third the size of the lower 48 states makes this a huge area to cover. My responsibilities include working directly with customers and our sales department ensuring our high-revenue business customer’s issues are addressed in this vast state. My career started at 19 years old, enlisting in the United States Navy and working as an Information’s Systems Technicians for four years. The military brought me many eye-opening experiences such as traveling the world on deployment, knowing what is necessary to survive, and how to take all these skills and turn them into something productive that I could utilize to get ahead. When I left the military to start a family, I kept those lessons close to heart. As I was still in my early 20s with two infants and a home to take care of, with no local support system, all while going to school at night, I continued my diligent work towards my bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems and three years later, I graduated. Immediately after obtaining my undergrad, I started working at GCI as an entry level Network Admin. I am now working on my master’s degree in IT Management and continue to set my goals high as I climb the ladder with GCI.
Kristine Tiongco
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television
Kristine Tiongco
Vice President of Publicity and CSR
Based in Los Angeles, Kristine Tiongco is Vice President of Publicity and Corporate Social Responsibility for Lifetime Television and has been with the company for over 15 years. In her current role, she wears many hats including promoting and publicizing movies and unscripted shows, organizing red carpet and premiere events and managing the publicity, public affairs, and social media budgets. This year, her role has expanded to include Corporate Social Responsibility and is serving a treasurer on her company’s DEI leadership team.
Kristine’s first foray in publicity began with a brief stint at Disney before eventually joining the Lifetime team. She began as a coordinator, learning and gaining knowledge from her peers about writing press releases, pitching story ideas, organizing press junkets, and wrangling talent on red carpets. Some of the projects she is most proud to have worked on include the Emmy nominated movie, Flint, shining a light on the water crisis in Michigan; the long-running series, Project Runway; and the critically acclaimed biopic, Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia.
Immigrating from the Philippines to Houston, Texas at a young age, she grew up with two brothers and received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
When not at work, Kristine enjoys traveling, watching cooking videos and recreating those dishes and baked treats to share with friends, family, and her co-workers.
Jennifer Tullar
Comcast
Comcast
Jennifer Tullar
National Sales Manager
A Georgia Native and avid Georgia Bulldogs fan, Jennifer Tullar earned a bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the Grady School of Communications at The University of Georgia (UGA). With nearly twenty years in the Atlanta Advertising Industry, Jennifer has worked at Terry Hines & Associates, WPP’s MindShare Agency, Meredith Broadcasting, Cox Reps, and Comcast Effectv. Jennifer has worn many different industry hats from Publicist Assistant and Media Buyer to Ad Sales Account Executive and Sales Manager. For more than ten years, she’s been an active member of the Atlanta Broadcast Advertising Club (ABAC), including a two-year term as Vice President and Events Chairperson. She is also an active ABAC Mentor, serving for nearly a decade as an advisor to graduating seniors enrolled in the advertising program at UGA. Jennifer has earned many accolades during her tenure including ABAC’s TV Salesperson of the Year, UGA’s James S. Fish Aid to Advertising Service Award and Comcast Effectv’s President’s Club. Jennifer also serves on the Hillside Elementary School PTA Board as the VP of Community Relations. In her spare time, she attends concerts and sporting events with her husband of 10 years, Aaron, and just recently participated in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. She also volunteers her time with Atlanta-based nonprofit, Songs for Kids Foundation. Aaron and Jennifer live just north of Atlanta and share two little girls (and future UGA hopefuls), Kate (8) and Claire (4) and an English cream golden retriever, Lucky.
Rachel Ullrich
ESPN
ESPN
Rachel Ullrich
Deputy Editor
Rachel is a deputy editor at ESPN, where she leads MLB coverage for ESPN.com. In 18 months in the job, she has managed a team of writers and editors on news, feature and event coverage through two MLB postseasons, an unprecedented labor battle and lockout, and a record-breaking free agency period.
In 12 years at ESPN, Rachel has split her time between the website and ESPN the Magazine, working on sports including college basketball, international soccer, baseball and the NFL. Over eight years at the magazine, she edited cover stories on Bryce Harper, Paul Pogba, Matthew Stafford, Russell Westbrook and Ronda Rousey. For two years, she led editorial for ESPN’s Body Issue, including the final issue in 2019, managing the print, digital, video and television rollout of a tentpole project for ESPN.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Rachel graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she majored in journalism and English and worked for the Daily Tar Heel for four years. When she’s not watching the Baltimore Orioles or Liverpool Football Club, she loves live music, travel, and looking for increasingly elaborate cakes to bake.
Jelinda Watts
ValuNet Fiber
ValuNet Fiber
Jelinda Watts
Director of Customer Care
Jelinda Watts is a Director of Customer Care for ValuNet Fiber, a member of the Cable One Inc family of brands based in Emporia, KS. In her current role she is responsible for the overall management of the ValuNet Fiber system including community and government relations, operations, maintenance and associate engagement and development. As well as all aspects of the deployment, growth and operations of fiber services and products for residential and business customers.
A 25-year veteran in the Telecom industry, Watts joined ValuNet Fiber, a private Fiber to the Home start-up company in 2012 serving the community of Emporia, KS as Director, Customer Care. During this time, she was responsible for the planning and execution of all new processes and procedures for Customer facing initiatives. Including Sales & Marketing, Customer Care, including the customization of the billing OSS, all call center activities including Tier 1 & 2 Technical Support, Inventory management as well as Workforce Management. In July 2020, ValuNet Fiber was acquired by Cable One, Inc.
Prior to joining ValuNet Fiber, she spent 14 years with Birch Communications and held a variety of positions including CSR, Manager of UNEP Service delivery and lastly promoted to Director of Customer Care.
Watts is a lifelong resident of the Emporia area growing up in Olpe, KS.
Kayla Weaver
Comcast
Comcast
Kayla Weaver
Senior Manager of Customer Service Strategy and Operations
Cheryl Whiting
Comcast Business
Comcast Business
Cheryl Whiting
Manager of Off-Net Quoting
Cheryl Whiting is a Manager of Off-Net Quoting at Comcast Business. Cheryl manages and supports quoting FedGov Opportunities and Large Deals. Cheryl was proud to be a part of the DISA CEG award, a $370M+ revenue award over a 10 yr. contract and helped negotiate $95M in additional cost savings. This was a huge win for Comcast. Cheryl also manages the Post-Sales Jeopardy/Assurance team, to address and resolve sold order issues quickly. She works to Retain Revenue by supporting and enabling Service Delivery to complete order installation. She supports Assurance for cost savings and order quality control. Cheryl negotiates pricing with vendors, to provide the best solution for sales to meet requirements and maximize the customer experience.
Cheryl partners with Key Stakeholders, collaborates and builds solid relationships with internal Cross-Functional teams and external vendors. Cheryl is very supportive, passionate, detailed, and a dedicated leader.
Cheryl has been in the telecom industry for over 15 years. As a result of her hard work throughout the business, she has earned several awards of recognition for her contributions and achievements. She received an Outstanding Recognition Award for Comcast Government Services in 2021 for DISA CEG and received the Comcast Business Champion Award in both 2015 & 2016.
Cheryl graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, with an emphasis in Management. Cheryl was born in Fullerton, California and loves the ocean and the beach! She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Charlotte Wilson
Paramount Global
Paramount Global
Charlotte Wilson
Director of Events & Marketing
Charlotte Wilson has over 12 years’ experience in the international TV & Film industry. She started her career in 2009 at CBS Studios Intl in London and worked her way up through the organization, holding various roles from Operations Manager to Sales & Marketing Manager to her current role as Director, Events & Marketing based in the Netherlands.
Paramount Global Content Distribution is the leading distributor of premium content across multiple media platforms throughout the global marketplace. The division’s portfolio is comprised of some of the world’s most recognized brands, including feature films and television programs from Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS Studios, Showtime, Nickelodeon, and MTV Entertainment.
Charlotte has specialized and focused on events for the Paramount Global Content Distribution team for the past 7 years, now overseeing production and planning all events that the distribution team are involved with. This includes the tentpole LA Screenings event, held in Hollywood every May attended by approximately 1000 international buyers, followed by locally targeted screenings in London, Munich, Madrid, Rome, Budapest & Amsterdam. This also includes planning and overseeing the company’s involvements in large-scale industry trade shows held around the world such as MIPCOM & MIPTV in Cannes, NATPE in Miami & Budapest, ATF in Singapore, and more.
In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys travelling to new places, practicing yoga, stand-up paddle boarding (in the Amsterdam canals!) and watching as much TV and film content as possible.
International 2023
Kat Bishop
Accenture
Accenture
Kat Bishop
Senior Strategy and Consulting Manager
Kat is a senior Strategy & Consulting manager with extensive experience in the Telco, Media, Entertainment & Technology sectors. She has a proven track record of delivering large-scale transformation programmes within FTSE 100 organisations, enabling cost consolidation without impacting delivery & outputs. Kat has a strong track-record of building & leading high-performing delivery teams. She is known for her ability to successfully navigate challenging client relationships and for re-setting perceptions by delivering innovative solutions that support business visions.
Kat’s specific experience includes:
- Leading large & multi-skilled international teams to deliver a strategic Order Management function, whilst enabling the launch of a new Consumer brand (UK Telco)
- Delivery of large-scale people, process & technology transformation at a UK Networks business
- Building a commercial Client Services team to support the delivery of ambitious revenue targets at a UK Theatre business
- Leading & implementing the programme framework for a cross territory anti-piracy strategy (European Media business)
- Setting & delivering the 5-year business vision for a live events B2C e-commerce business (backed by a European Media Business)
More broadly, Kat is held up as a leader who can navigate her team through adversity whilst ensuring morale remains steady & there’s continued focus on everyone’s development. She sponsors the People agenda within her Practice at Accenture, managing multiple initiatives that feed into the broader People strategy. She also won a UKI-wide ‘People Champion’ award due to these efforts.
Esther Bolster
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Esther Bolster
Director Consumer Strategy
Kristy Bright
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Kristy Bright
Director of Mobile Core Network Strategy
Kirsty has worked in the Telecommunications and Technology industry for 20 years leading transformational strategic and business change, delivering cutting edge innovative solutions and managing enterprise customer operations.
Kirsty’s current role is Director of Mobile Core Network Strategy at Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband and communications companies. Kirsty is responsible for defining and aligning the Mobile Core Network strategy, architecture and roadmap across the Liberty Global operating companies and Joint Ventures in Europe. Kirsty’s previous roles included leading network innovation and transformation at Virgin Media O2; leading the development of Vodafone’s global transformational Tech2025 strategy; leading cognitive/ AI and robotics programmes within Vodafone, deploying their first cognitive solution; and operational, delivery and leadership roles within T-Systems UK, part of a global organisation delivering IT and technology solutions and services. Throughout her career, Kirsty has been passionate about leading change through challenging situations, recognising the importance that employee engagement and culture has on improving business performance.
Kirsty has a diverse background combining two music degrees and an MBA. She uses her combination of creative and business skills along with the experience gained in the Telecommunications and Tech industry to adapt in the ever-changing world of technology and business today.
Kirsty is based in London, has a 14 year old son and two older step children. She loves to spend time with her family, friends and her two cats; she enjoys being outdoors running or walking, and making music playing the viola in an orchestra.
Frederique Ferron
CommScope
CommScope
Frederique Ferron
Head of EMEA Marketing, RUCKUS
Frédérique (Fred) Ferron is Senior Marketing Manager, EMEA for CommScope’s Networking, Intelligent Cellular Networks & Security Solutions business segment. Based out of France, Fred is responsible for generating successful brand awareness, Lead Generation and Partner marketing programs to drive revenue growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Fred has +25 years of IT industry experience in Channel & Field Marketing. She joined CommScope via RUCKUS Networks where she was leading Channel Marketing in EMEA. Prior to joining CommScope, Fred held roles at vendors such as VMware, Extreme Networks and Ucopia, as well as Distributors, such as Westcon Group and Large Operators such as AT&T. She also has extensive experience in Partner Programs, Channel strategy, and Team management.
Fred holds a General Academic Studies Degree (DEUG), specialized in Foreign languages. She lives near Paris with her partner, his son and their 2 cats.
Madourai Kogulavany
Technetix, Inc.
Technetix, Inc.
Madourai Kogulavany
QC Director
Education:
Completed my engineering degree in electronic and communication engineering BEng (Hons) in university of north London in 1995. Executive certificate in management with Henley management in UK in 2005
Job History:
Joined Nokia telecom in Camberley UK, from 1996 – 1998 as RF Design engineer a part of new bast station development team. In 1998, I have moved to Netherlands and started working with Thales Nederland BV NL as a RF system engineer. Worked mainly on Naval and land-based radars. In 2006, I started working as system engineer within same company. This role involves writing specification on all defense equipment’s onboard Naval and land-based system based on customer needs. 2012, I have joined Technetix BV as a Design verification and documentation manager. Within two years I have moved to group quality director managing QA and quality engineering department. In addition to the existing role, I was asked to support product development department until new PLM was available. In 2016, I was appointed as QC director to help improve our quality at our suppliers in far-east. And in 2019, I was asked to run outsourcing development department to bring the growth to our business in addition to QC director function.
Current role:
As QC director, I responsible for keeping our product quality at all 28 suppliers based in China and Taiwan. Ensure internal product development are developed as per our process and minimize quality issues at development stage. Five team members report directly to me under QC.
As Outsourcing director, I am responsible for using supplier’s R&D to develop new products to meet our business growth. Currently have 4 team members reports directly to me.
Size of the business approximately 10 million USD.
Tej Kulkarni
Accenture
Accenture
Tej Kulkarni
Management Consulting Manager
Tej is a highly driven professional with 13+ years’ experience in finance & strategy in multi-nationals in Europe & Asia. Tej is currently part of Accenture’s comms & media practice working with large telecoms on unlocking growth.
Tej holds an MBA and is a qualified management accountant. She has strong track record in driving & delivering commercial targets and creating an obsession with value at all levels. Tej is committed to inclusive growth and believes in strong work ethics.
Charlotte Matthysen
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Charlotte Matthysen
Senior Manager of Public Policy
Charlotte is a Senior Public Policy Manager for over 3 years now at Liberty Global, one of the world’s leading converged video, broadband, and communication companies. Her work focuses currently on digital policy, particularly on telecom, content and new technology issues, both at EU and international level. Mrs. Matthysen has been working on EU and transatlantic policy for almost twelve years, including experience at Cambre Associates (EU policy consultancy), AmCham EU, and The German Marshall Fund of the United States, where she was also a visiting fellow until early 2023. She holds a double master degree in law from Georgetown University and KULeuven and is a Belgian national.
Dessita Petrova
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Dessita Petrova
Mobile Strategy Manager
Julie Rimmer
Afiniti
Afiniti
Julie Rimmer
Programme Director
Currently acting as Global Deployment Lead at Afiniti overseeing all technical delivery and operations on one of the top 5 global accounts. My career in technology spans 25 years, having held a variety of technical, management and leadership roles, 11 years of which working for Virgin Media and a further 8 years where Virgin Media has been my client along with other public sector organisations and big name companies across the world.
I consider my biggest achievements in life to be raising a daughter as a single parent, whilst building a career in a male dominated world. This determination to succeed along with persistence and resilience has been a constant throughout my personal and professional life
Outside of work, I have spent the majority of the last three years putting my project management skills to use on the renovation of my home, where I’ve had an extension rebuilt, and remodelled upstairs to squeeze in another bedroom. Beyond the physical building work, it’s usually me that’s designing, (testing), and implementing my plans! When I’m not covered in paint and dust, I am a Manchester United Women’s season ticket holder, practice yoga, mostly at home, and love to travel.
Sarah Sanders
Amazon
Amazon
Sarah Sanders
Principal Global Account Manager
Neha Sangani
Afiniti
Afiniti
Neha Sangani
Client Services Director
I started my career in finance and banking, completing a Finance graduate programme following a successful summer internship at the Royal Bank of Scotland. After spending 5 years in banking I was ready for a change and wanted to work somewhere where I was closer to the customer, so I took a finance business partner role at TalkTalk and Telco.
After a successful year I was offered a secondment opportunity within the Retentions team in Operations where I managed a contact centre team based in South Africa. This felt like a slight risk, leaving everything I knew behind in terms of finance but I decided to go for it and never looked back! I really enjoyed being closer to the customer and achieved best-ever conversion rates the company had seen. I then did various roles within Sales and Retention, focusing on customer churn strategy across the consumer business.
After almost 5 years at TalkTalk I joined Afiniti as a Client Services Manager and took on one of largest accounts during lockdown. After much success in growing the account, I was promoted to Client Services Director in May last year, allowing me to focus more on the long-term strategy of the account and more senior relationships. However, as many companies we have faced a reduction in headcount and therefore losing support resources has meant its more challenging to separate the strategy from the day-to-day activities.
In my spare time I mentor students my old university and as part of WICT. I am passionate about fitness and wellbeing and qualified as a Yoga teacher this year and I am starting a course to become a breathwork instructor. I can be found on muddy walks with my 2 year old cavapoo Chai and my husband Nirav on the weekends and I love spending time with family. I also enjoy reading books about self-development and health and listening to podcasts such as the Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett.
Linda Savinova
Accenture
Accenture
Linda Savinova
Manager of Management Consulting
Kate Scothon
CommScope
CommScope
Kate Scothon
Senior Manager of Business Operations
I have been working in Supply Chain operations for the full 19 years of my professional career starting in 2004. I started at Kodak, where I worked for 7 years across four different roles. Two of these roles were project roles focusing on Supply Chain Improvement and the other two involved implementing SAP into the different Manufacturing and Sales sites within Europe.
In 2011 I moved to CommScope into a Customer Operations role, where I was responsible for managing the supply and demand for customers in Europe. I progressed into a Senior Business Operations in 2016, which involved having responsibility of the full Europe region and having two direct reports.
In 2020 I took on a director role managing the Demand Planning team for the Home Networks Business units; managing a Global team supporting $1.1bn annual Sales. In 2021 I widened the remit of my role and took on the full end to end Supply Chain responsibility for the International region (everything outside North America and Canada) for both the Business Operations and Customer Services teams. My current team consists of 11 reports.
Fronsina Stefnovska
Liberty Global
Liberty Global
Fronsina Stefnovska
Director of Network Planning
Rebecca Taylor
Accenture
Accenture
Rebecca Taylor
Senior Manager
Hi! I (Becca) am a Senior Manager at Accenture, within the Comms & Media Industry; where my expertise and experience focuses on customer strategy, channel strategy and the ways in which our clients can better use data to create personalized customer experiences. Over the past 8 years, I have worked across most of the UK’s large Telcos, delivering transformation initiatives within both Cable and Mobile business areas. A career highlight for me, was setting up a brand-new team of 150 people to kickstart true proactive customer care at one of my big clients – where we built a machine learning data model to predict how likely a customer was to complain, based on their experiences and interactions with the business! I love leading and nurturing teams, and always put a big focus on personalized learning journeys that ultimately drive happiness at work.
Personally, I am a born Londoner growing up in East London, but now living in Brixton with my husband. Last year I took an 8-month sabbatical from work to get married and enjoy an extended honeymoon where we travelled around the Caribbean and Central America – an absolute highlight of the last few years! Travel is one of my big loves, alongside animals, reading, live music gigs, and investing in and trying out all kinds of new skincare!
Kristy Young
Afiniti
Afiniti
Kristy Young
Director of Client Services
Having spent many years working in leadership roles within Outsourcing I made the move to my current role in Client Services with Afiniti 6 years ago. During this time I have had the great fortune to work across big brand accounts in the UK as well as launch new accounts in Korea, relocating to the region for several months in 2022.
Placing a lot of importance on self-development I began an Executive MBA in May of this year, which will conclude in the summer of 2024. Despite the workload being heavy I am fully invested in each module and truly learning business principles that will help further my career, as well as embracing the networking opportunity with my classmates across the globe.
Outside of work and study I am a fitness enthusiast and place a lot of importance on my physical health. I am an avid reader and part of a book club with my neighbours which meets every 6 weeks, which forces me to broaden my reading choices and try new genres. I have a 4 year old Goldendoodle named George who takes up a huge amount of time and means I always get plenty of steps in daily, come rain or shine (and in Glasgow its mainly rain!) While taking these walks I love to binge podcasts which range from true crime, politics and comedy.