A Celebration of Women in the Wireless Infrastructure Industry

Women play an important role in the wireless infrastructure industry, taking on many roles from CEOs to network engineers, attorneys to tower climbers. While the world celebrates women on International Women’s Day March 8, WIA honors and celebrates the women in our industry who are driving the industry forward toward a more connected world.

We asked our members to tell us about the women who are making a difference in their operations, and we asked those women to share their perspectives on the industry, thoughts on their careers and advice for others just beginning their journey in wireless. They talked about the value of seeking out mentors, embracing opportunities and supporting other women along the way.

Marie Sylla-Dixon, Vice President, Federal Government & External Affairs, T-Mobile

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“This is a truly exciting time to be a woman in the wireless industry. With technological advances being rolled out at warp speeds, and our lives becoming ever more connected each and every day, it’s hard to imagine a more exciting industry to be a part of right now.

For young women, the wireless industry provides an array of opportunities for career development and advancement — whether you’re a policy wonk, engineer, communications expert, human resources personnel, or any field in between, there are so many avenues for establishing a satisfying and high-impact career in this industry.

As you strive to pave your own path forward, it’s important that you commit yourself to a lifetime of learning — you may come in the door with one area of expertise, but diversifying your skillset even as you master your core competencies is key to longevity and career advancement in this industry.

You’ll also want to take time to really get to know the people you work with and support — at the end of the day, telecommunications is really about connectivity, and you’ll find that human-centered relationships are at the core of any new product or service you’re going to help develop or deploy.

Above all, this is a fast-paced industry that can truly take you around the world and help you see and experience new and fascinating things. As you embark upon your career, you’d do well for yourself by establishing a consistent routine of self-care. The wireless industry will grace you with many opportunities to explore life and excel to new heights, but none of it will matter if you don’t have your health. Find a way to cultivate a practice of conscious care around your mental, physical, and spiritual/emotional health, and you will no doubt go far in your career and in life.”

Kim Stokes, Senior Director of Carrier Services, Boingo

Have you received mentorship or advice during your career that has been helpful in your success, and what advice did you receive?

“Have the courage to take risks and don’t play it too safe. If you do, you’ll never know what you’re capable of. This advice was given to me by a seasoned warrant officer when I worked in the engineering department on a Coast Guard cutter (ship) early on in my career. I often come back to these words, as they still hold true today — you can’t be afraid to fail, because that’s how you grow. Wireless is an exciting industry, but it’s one that constantly requires you to adapt. Back in the 1990s, telecom was growing rapidly. At times it felt like I was drinking from a firehose. But looking back, that’s the beauty of professional growth and working in a transformative industry. Innovation requires you to be bold, tolerant and able to learn from mistakes. It was true when I got my start and it’s even more true today as we tackle connectivity in the 5G era.”

Lucia Renteria, General Manager, Telamon

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“This industry has been in the making for decades and the imbalances of number of women in male-dominated roles has occurred through that same exact timeframe. There are years of service and experience that are heavily weighted toward men. We, as leaders in the industry, should empower and encourage our female team members and peers to join teams in departments such as engineering and construction. Women should be led and encouraged to take the roles within those teams that men have predominantly performed. And when a woman is presented the opportunity to open that door for herself, she should know that she has our support to grow and be successful.”

Blair Crawford, Director of National Accounts, Vertical Bridge

Have you received mentorship or advice during your career that has been helpful in your success, and what advice did you receive?

“Early on in my career, I was fortunate enough to have a mentor who had been in the wireless industry for quite some time.  He had multiple roles throughout his career and worked all over the world in various capacities.  On one occasion when we met, I was extremely frustrated with a work situation.  I remember him saying to always be persistent and resilient; only I can control how I navigate and handle unchartered territory.  It has always resonated with me and over time, proven that challenges are merely road bumps on the way to success.”

Kelly Brewer, EVP, Telecom, Tilson

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“The industry is starting to see more and more women, but we still have a long way to go, especially for women in technical leadership roles. The best way to show your support for other women in the industry is simply by hiring them, or by supporting their growth through promotions. Not only will it add a dimension of thought diversity to the existing team, but you also reap the benefits of creating a culture that attracts other women who want to work in a place where they feel included.”

Carrie Rebholz, PE – Engineering Manager, Telamon

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“The telecom industry is specialized and relatively new compared to traditional engineering professions; starting out it can feel a bit like a club where you may not have the background to be a card-carrying member. You haven’t traveled the country climbing towers and maybe you don’t want to. You aren’t familiar with the equipment. You didn’t experience the evolution of TIA standards. You look around the office and see few like you. Do not let this discourage you from jumping in as there is a tremendous amount of opportunity across a spectrum of roles. Seek out companies and leadership that value diverse experience and thinking. Speak up and express your point of view to help your team move beyond the way things have been done. Recognize and encourage the contributions of others. The tide of the industry changes so quickly that constant innovation is the only way to keep up … you are needed and you’re the perfect fit.”

Lucia Chiocchio, Partner and Vice-Chair, Cuddy & Feder Telecommunications Practice group

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“Yes. There are and will be more opportunity for women in the industry. Women will hold leadership positions in national companies and will also be successful in heading their own companies within in the industry.  To be successful in a male-dominated field, women need to be knowledgeable, confident and collaborative.  I have been privileged to know many successful women in the industry.”

Erin Lane, Regional Manager, Deployment – Northeast and South Regions, Eco-Site

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“Continuously seek ways to learn, be willing to ask questions, and surround yourself with leaders and peers that allow you a voice and support collaboration. Approach every challenge with the mindset that failure is not an option but realize that mistakes hold some of the most valuable lessons. The two most important keys to success are clear communication and solid relationships. Most importantly, be willing to step outside your comfort zone.”

Alda Licis, Vice President, Infrastructure, Tilson

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“Fueled by rapid growth in mobile data from hundreds of millions of smartphones and connected devices, the wireless industry is rich with opportunities for men and women alike. Historically, more than half of women in tech leave the industry by the mid-point of their career, which is more than double the rate of men, according to a Center for Work-Life Policy study. The main reasons women currently leave tech include weak management support (23%), lack of opportunity (20%), and lack of work-life balance (22%). As more companies in wireless choose to create cultures promoting gender equality in technical and senior roles traditionally dominated by men, two things will happen. First, more women will have opportunities for upward mobility thus increasing retention. Second, tech savvy women from other industries will be attracted to lead innovation in technical and senior management roles in wireless. As network architecture evolves to 5G supporting next generation applications like AI and autonomous vehicles, companies that play a leadership role in promoting cultures of equality will create countless opportunities for women to help shape the future of the wireless industry.

Since joining Tilson, I’ve come to highly value Tilson’s philosophy of paid time off benefits including parental leave, military leave and caregiver leave. Providing more gender-neutral benefits equalizes everyone’s opportunities for growth and success.”

Julie Song, President, Advanced RF Technologies Inc.

What advice would you give to younger women just starting out in the industry?

“Working with younger generation of workforce is revitalizing as many of them are ambitious and energetic and bring boundless fresh ideas to the company. They are definitely valuable members of the group. One piece of advice I would like to give to them is be open-minded and always be willing to learn. We have many young workers at ADRF, and a lot of young people will come in with lofty goals. But success takes a lot of hard work and does not happen overnight. They will stay on a track to a successful career if they are open to constructive feedback and acknowledge that there is so much to learn. I have been in the industry for 14 years and still feel there is so much to learn every day.”

Nancy S. Brookes-Davenport, Senior Manager, Site Development, Telamon

What are your predictions for the wireless industry over the next couple of years and what is your role in making those things happen?

“Over the next couple of years, our industry will focus on building the infrastructure needed to make 5G a reality. With the advent of jurisdictions and ROW owners obtaining direction for small cells from the FCC and their state laws, public right of way permitting is now and will remain over the next couple of years a prevalent and important piece to getting the 5G infrastructure in place. My role will continue to facilitate our front-end site development teams’ success in multiple markets as they efficiently and strategically site and permit small cells.  I’ve had the good fortune of having worked in and around small cell deployments since late 2013 and over that time the attractive real estate for small cell infrastructure changed.  While our adherence to many of our traditional cell site regulations remains necessary, my staff has become adept at applying the real estate siting rules of public right of way such as sight triangles and clear zones. This targeted real estate change often led us to look outside of our industry for talent who understands ROW permitting even if they were new to telecom.  Our approach has proved successful; by allowing individuals to collaborate and learn from each other, our team members attain the necessary skills for effectively handling today’s small cell site development.”

Leticia Latino, President and CEO, Neptuno USA

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men?

“In a field that’s mostly male, there will always be critics and people who cross the line. You mustn’t let this stop you from going after what you want and focusing on building your career.  At the same time, remember that the professional and personal lines are very blurry sometimes, and you need to stick to your values and ethics in order to garner a rock-solid respect and reputation.”                    —Excerpted from Women in Business – Leading the Way

Kimberly White, Vice President, Accounting, and Corporate Controller, Vertical Bridge

Have you received mentorship or advice during your career that has been helpful in your success, and what advice did you receive?

“I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have received advice from many mentors. Each one was unique and guided me in different ways. To be successful, I believe mentorships must be organic.  They cannot be someone assigned to you per company policy. They form over time naturally just like a good friendship. I still reach out to these individuals today when needed, and they reach out to me. It’s good to have someone who has been through similar experiences, challenges and opportunities to get a different perspective or just listen to you.  Some of the advice I received stays with me still today.”

Melissa Stanislaw, Director of Marketing Strategy and Sales Enablement, ZenFi Networks

What are your predictions for the wireless industry over the next couple of years and what is your role in making those things happen?

“The wireless industry will continue to converge as new applications and use cases are identified. We have only begun to imagine what capabilities 5G will bring for both consumer and business applications, but the convergence of physical network architecture (fiber), as well as software applications, will continue to be something that the wireless industry will need in order to build a true 5G ecosystem. I think that other stakeholders throughout terrestrial wireless and wireline segments, such as data centers, tower operators, subsea cable operators, smart city technologists and even content providers, will also converge, as the industry as a whole is driven by the promises that 5G will bring. The bottom line? Whether capital-based, asset-based or more likely a combination of both, a shared ecosystem is imminent.”

Michelle Engarto, Vice President, Wireless Solutions Product Line Management, Corning Inc.

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“It is still rare to see women in senior leadership positions in the wireless industry but that seems to be changing. It is well known that the lack of females in technical roles has less to do with their ability and more to do with ingrained biases and stereotypes that exist in society.  I am very fortunate to work for a company that embraces diversity in every form and who provides equal opportunity for qualified candidates to lead in business and technology.

Regarding the broader industry, there is a vibrant ecosystem and a large network of individuals who have long tenure in technology roles and they tend to stay connected.  There is a sense of community.  I find that not having come from the wireless space has added an area of challenge for me but one that has been easy to overcome.  My advice for women is to be confident in what you know, own your results and have the right balance of talent on your team.  Be fearless in your interactions and aspirations.

Establishing a network is very important to leadership success in any role.  You need strong relationships with stakeholders inside and outside your immediate sphere to accelerate learning and make well-informed business decisions.  There are fantastic opportunities for growth in the wireless space where life-changing innovations are happening. I hope to see more women contributing their best to this important industry.”

Sheri Palazzo, Vice President of Engineering, Altaeros

What are some of your favorite memories or achievements from your time in the wireless industry?

“My most exciting moment was the first time we streamed video 50 km away from the SuperTower. I remember jumping up and down and yelling, “We did it!” Our small start-up has developed the world’s first autonomous aerostat, the SuperTower. Our floating cell tower lifts telecommunications equipment over 800 feet into the air! My most rewarding achievement is the team we have built. I am honored to work with some of the smartest, hardest working, creative people in the industry. With this technology and this team, we will reach our “lofty” goals of bringing affordable broadband to rural communities.”

Haley Albrechtsen, Electromechanical Design Engineer, Aero Wireless Group

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“While I haven’t been in the professional industry long (only 5.5 years!) I have personally seen a lot of change happening for women, especially in the engineering department. The tone has changed drastically within the workplace, with more awareness brought to office banter and more respect for my role within the company. It’s rewarding to see other successful and powerful women emerging as CEOs, Engineering Directors, and Operations Managers. I attended a conference not long ago that used to have predominately male speakers, but this year there were far more female speakers and organizers leading the conference. I didn’t realize how much it would impact me, but seeing more women in a male-dominated industry changes everything. It makes me feel more confident, makes me dream bigger, and believe I can be who or whatever I want.”

Amy Mahoney, Managing Director, NB+C LLC

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“Three pieces of advice to those entering into the telecommunication industry: First, find an organization that offers opportunities for coaching and feedback. Feedback is an ongoing process as your career progresses — you face new challenges and demands. Second, have a willingness to take initiative and ask questions this coupled with resilience fosters a growth mindset. Third, embrace opportunities for learning which develop skills central to your enterprise and expand your horizons.”

Jennifer McCarthy, Vice President, Legal Advocacy, Federated Wireless

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“Women are making significant strides throughout the wireless industry. It’s great to see my fellow female colleagues’ achievements and to see their friendly faces in more conferences, meetings, articles, etc. We have a long way to go still, especially in engineering and management roles. I believe that we as an industry and as a society will continue to make progress by recognizing the critical contributions women make to solving challenges and achieving objectives, while also bringing empathy to the workplace.”

Teri Borders, Director of Sales- South Region, Eco-Site

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“Don’t be afraid of change.  It is constant in this industry but in a positive way.  Step up and volunteer or nominate yourself for that project, job opening or volunteer position.  When I was just starting out in this industry, I said yes to roles that took me out of my comfort zone but ones that turned out to be some my most rewarding experiences. Women tend to be more reserved not asking for promotions or pay raises like our male colleagues.  One of the hardest things I remember doing is asking for that raise when I knew my male colleagues were higher paid; I felt like my work should speak for itself. It has changed a lot in twenty-five years, for the better. Women are a huge part of the success in our industry.”

Kimberlee Steck, Vice President, Human Resources, Vertical Bridge

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“The gender lines are blurring in many occupations that were previously dominated by men. This is a great evolution and provides opportunity for everyone. Companies are looking for individuals who can add the most value regardless of sex. This shift is allowing for women to have more doors open to them and not letting previous barriers stop them from achieving their full potential.”

Caitlin Cuevas, Lead Designer, Hudson Design Group

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“The biggest piece of advice I could give to a young woman starting out in the industry is to reach out and get involved. If you have a question, ask it. I have found that supervisors and colleagues will gladly answer any questions. In fact, they usually appreciate that questions are being asked. Additionally, getting involved in local organizations always proves helpful. While providing wonderful professional connections, many organizations offer seminars and meetings that teach and bolster skills for professional women. Specifically, WWLF has IMPACT meetings all over the country. Attend, engage and help in any way you can.”

Holly Chenette, Federal Client Partner, Verizon Sovereign Nations Team

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“My advice for any young woman starting out in the wireless industry is to focus on relationships, and do what you say you are going to do. Your reliability over time will build the trust necessary for a strong relationship. After 20 years in this business I can honestly say my number one success factor has been a strong relationship built upon trust. It will provide you with a significant advantage. Find new and creative ways to add value and you will become a trusted advisor. An example would be to attend a conference on a topic that is of interest to your customer. Taking that one extra step to gain a deeper understanding of what is driving their business objectives will make your future conversations more relevant and open up new avenues for opportunity. Invest in yourself and be a lifelong learner, and use that knowledge to help others. I have been fortunate to work for a company that offers a multitude of education options and it’s up to the individual to make the time for expanding the mind.  Do it! Knowledge is power. Then share that knowledge with others. Pay it forward!”

Annie Schneider, Director of Business Development, Telamon

What are your thoughts about the role of women in the industry, especially in jobs that have traditionally been dominated by men? Do you see more doors opening for women in the industry?

“While the acceptance of women in a historically male dominated industry has not occurred overnight, it is exciting to see more women in Telecom. Over the last 21 years that I have been in the industry, I have found that patience and persistence is key. This is an incredibly exciting industry and truly believe that women are going to play an increasingly larger role going forward.”

Abby Mazzetti, SVP Development & Operations, CitySwitch

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“Trust your instincts and be heard.  We tend to not trust our intuitions and second guess whether we should speak up or not.  Seek out a person that has the same values that can be a sounding board and last but not least, don’t be afraid to move on when you are not given opportunities to excel.”

Rebecca Hunter, Vice President of Smart Communities, Aero Wireless Group

What advice would you give to young women just starting out in the industry?

“The telecommunication’s industry is fast-paced and dynamic with tremendous growth and advancement opportunities given the right work ethic and mindset.   My first job in wireless was completely by accident as just a job while I was working on my Master’s degree; I was an RF coordinator for Nextel helping with scheduling drive tests and using a DB stick to find latitude and longitude (clearly dating myself here!) to today VP of Aero Smart Communities leading collaborations of public, private and academic partners toward realizing the vision of emerging technologies which enable a better future for our communities….with many and varied steps in between.

Suggestions I would offer for young women coming into our industry today, would be:

1. Learn something new every day: In an every changing technology, policy/regulatory world, keeping up with what is new and where the industry is going allows knowledge and skills to stay relevant and opens up opportunities that you may had never considered.
2. Seek out a mentor(s) and/or supporter(s): We all need cheerleaders when situations seem overwhelming AND honest reminders of when and where we can improve.   Know your strengths and weaknesses and surround yourself with people smarter than you; this can be internal or external to your company.
3. Take risks: Be open to new challenges that may feel uncomfortable or you may think do not fit.   Ask questions -lots of questions.  It is OK not to know something, but then be open to accepting help.   Don’t expect to succeed at everything, so be resilient, learn and keep moving forward.
4. Own your path: Take control and own your path.  You have the ability to seek out learning and growth opportunities and mentors… do not wait for it to magically fall in your lap.   But do so with an awareness of those around you and understanding no one can do it alone; it takes a team no matter what role or capacity or function you play.
5. Give back: Giving back to the community is vital and grounding.  Volunteering can come in many forms – through company initiatives, industry groups, mentoring or personal interest areas.  Not only good to do, but another avenue to build important networks and experiences.”