Noteworthy Women in Wireless Infrastructure – 2023

Each year, it is an honor to learn more about the women of the wireless infrastructure industry as WIA celebrates International Women’s Day March 8 and Women’s History Month throughout March.

At last month’s Wireless Women’s Leadership Luncheon, hosted by WIA and the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum, some of the industry’s foremost female leaders and influencers shared their stories of building their careers in wireless and their perspectives on how to bring more women into the industry and help them and advance their careers. At the event, WIA President and CEO Patrick Halley noted it is a fitting time to recognize the contributions of women to the wireless industry, with women chairing the Senate and House Commerce Committees and their key subcommittees, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. 

During a kickoff keynote, former Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn urged women in the industry to “smash those ceilings and escape those sticky floors.” Women need to lift each other up, even as the men in industry need to do the same, she said. “Do not shy from the difficult. The power to change the world lies in this room, this industry, this town, this nation.”

An important part of that mission is highlighting not only the women who have risen to the C-Suites and board rooms of the wireless industry, but also those who are just beginning their journey. WIA asked women at our member companies to reflect on their most memorable achievement during their career in the wireless infrastructure industry. We heard from women who have been actively engaged in the industry over many years, as well as those who are new to it. We heard from women who are influencing regulations that impact the industry, those who are shaping the technologies that make connections happen, and those who are building relationships that will allow the industry to grow.

Year after year, the women of the wireless infrastructure industry highlight teamwork over personal accomplishments and often point with pride to their contributions to their communities as well as their ability to mentor other women. WIA is proud to recognize these and all women who are making history while building the wireless infrastructure industry’s future.

*Order chosen at random

Lauren James, Agile Networks

Kelsie Ostrander, JMA Wireless

Colleen Murphy-Gomez, iBwave

Jess Fosson, Wesco

Randi Clendennen, Atlas Tower

Abby Czinege, Kompass Funding

LaTavia Bowens, Tilson

Dolores Guarnaccia, American Tower

AmyJo Samuel, American Tower

Chelsea Kovacs, SFC Energy

Gloria Arevalo Aguilar, iBwave

Blair Crawford, Vertical Bridge

Nicoleta Hajek, iLoq

Lucia Chiocchio, Cuddy & Feder

Kristen Whealon, DigitalBridge

Julie Song, ADRF

Kelly Burroughs, iBwave

Erja Sankari, iLoq

Amy Burroughs, Atlas Tower

Cori Aluli, Arcadia Towers

Liz Hill, American Tower

Jill Patterson, SBA Communications

Brittany Leddy, Network Connex

Lori Dawson, UScellular

Lisa Aliperta, DigitalBridge

Jennifer Van Riper, AT&T

Patti Paulo, Extenet

Katie Muraida, Network Connex

Lyudmyla (Lyuda) Christenson, Atlas Tower

Kay Papantoniou, DigitalBridge

Manjari Govada, DigitalBridge

Read previous blogs about women in wireless