Previous Fellowship & Scholarship Award Winners

Talisha Germain serves as the Utility Relations/Network Permitting Specialist at Crown Castle since 2021. She is instrumental in optimizing attachment, power and jurisdictional permitting delivery cycles within the New York City Market. Her expertise ensures efficiency and compliance with regulations, while her commitment to excellence shines through in her role as a subject matter expert.

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Talisha wears many hats within the Telecom industry. As the WWLF City Representative for Sussex County NJ, she not only fosters engagement but also co-facilitates the Member Engagement Team, driving initiatives that empower women in the Telecom Industry. Furthermore, her dedication extends to the New Jersey Wireless Association, where she serves as a Board Member and events committee chair, actively contributing to industry growth and inclusivity.

Talisha’s leadership transcends professional boundaries, as she leads the Youth Department at her church in Harlem NYC. Nurturing the potential of young female leaders, her commitment to mentorship and empowerment permeates every aspect of her life.

Beyond her professional and community engagements, Talisha is a devoted mother and an enthusiastic traveler. Together with her teenage daughter, she explores the world, embracing diverse cultures and flavors. This passion for global exploration informs her advocacy for inclusive, connected societies, both locally and internationally.

Talisha’s journey of growth and learning continues as she pursues her MBA at Louisiana State University. Her commitment to continuous personal and professional development exemplifies her role as a beacon of leadership within the WWLF community. As the 2024 WWLF Fellowship recipient, Talisha’s goal is clear: to embody the values of empowerment, leadership and inclusivity. She seeks to glean wisdom from her mentors, proudly representing WWLF in the collective journey of empowering women to pursue their dreams.

Liane serves as the Executive Business Partner at DISH Wireless in Chicago, a position she has held since April 2021. In this role, Liane is responsible for serving as the senior advisor to the Vice President and liaising with 11 market managers to provide regional support and ensure consistency in deliverables and projects. Liane co-founded Women in Wireless, a group with a membership of over 200 telecom professionals at DISH. Liane also leads the grassroots effort of DISH Cares initiatives in the central region field offices to promote a culture of service. Liane has volunteered with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and various fraternal organizations. Liane is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Liane states that what she loves about WWLF is the acknowledgement that women in the wireless industry are critical to its success. There are many challenges and opportunities that face the wireless industry and WWLF is at the forefront of bringing human connection, education, and economic growth.

Liane’s goal as the 2023 WWLF Fellowship recipient is to develop lasting relationships, build her skills as a people-oriented leader, and contribute to the growth of the industry.

Taylor Sierra, formally Weltmeyer, graduated from Indiana University, Northwest campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. At the university she was part of the National Society of Leadership and held the Treasurer position for 2 years.

Right out of college she moved to Florida and worked as a nanny for a high-profile family, enjoying the fast pace and change that constantly occurred. From there she opened her own business and started teaching but knew she wanted more. She started working for the high-profile family once again and was asked to move to Illinois to start working on a startup company within the Telecommunication industry. She loved it! She started off on the ground floor and wearing many different hats. Once she found out the company would be sold, she started looking for another opportunity and that’s where she found ExteNet Systems LLC. Starting off as a Project Coordinator and jumping around in many different roles she has now found herself as a Project Manager covering Outdoor projects in the Central and East parts of the country.

Her goal as the 2022 WWLF Fellowship recipient is to launch herself to that next level of success! She loves learning and growing within the industry and wants to continue to network and challenge herself throughout this next year.

In January 2022, she married her husband. They love to travel and together they have two dogs: Ari and Chance. They also own their own business together that is centered around her husbands love for cars.  

She is excited to continue being a part of WWLF.

April Gonzalez graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS Degree in Advertising, Minor in Social Science. At the university, she was a part of SWOOP, a student-run advertising agency. She worked on the account side (“suits” as the ad world calls it) brainstorming with the team/presenting and pitching campaigns to the client. Additionally, she worked at the university’s newspaper selling ad space. It was during her time at the university that she found a love for sales and working with people.

Right out of college she went into B2B sales selling copiers. Not too long after this, the staffing industry found her, and she joined a general staffing firm to work as a recruiter on the Engineering side of the business. She quickly worked her way up the ladder to team lead, manager, and, ultimately, business development. She began her career in Telecom in November 2020 when she joined the team at TekCom Resources, a staffing firm that specializes solely in placing Telecom talent. Her current role is Business Development Manager over the Central Region.

Her goal as the 2021 WWLF Fellowship recipient is to network and learn as much as she can about the world of Telecom. She loves being a part of an industry that is constantly growing and changing.

In February 2021, she got married and they have one Australian Shepherd and two cats.

She is excited and grateful to be a part of WWLF!

Like most, Aneta Karkula found the telecommunications industry by chance in 2018. She says it was love at first sight. In March 2018 she started as a Wireless Designer at WT Group, where she prepares detailed construction drawings for variety of clients while adhering to company and industry standards. Aneta works closely with project management teams to perform technical and design alterations. Before joining WT Group she was in food and beverage industry working as a hostess, waitress, and bartender. She worked mainly in hotels like The Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel in Chicago, Illinois where she was awarded “Employee of the Quarter” in December 2016. During her time in the food and beverage industry Aneta learned many skills that she has taken into her career in telecom such as: teamwork, multitasking, being flexible, maintaining a positive attitude, and customer orientation. A native of Krakow, Poland, Aneta is a graduate of AGH University of Science and Technology. She also holds a CAD Certificate from Oakton Community College. Aneta came to the USA in January 2015 and believes that through WWLF’s Fellowship Program Award she is on the right path to fulfill her version of American Dream.

Shamrose recently transitioned from Charlotte, NC to Dallas, TX. She started her career in telecom as a Site Acquisition Specialist at PM&A in 2018 and moved to Dallas in 2019 taking on the role as a Project Management Coordinator at VERTICOM. Prior to joining the wireless industry, Shamrose was in the Banking and Finance industry. Shamrose worked in Banking for 10 years as a Financial Center Manager helping clients achieve their financial goals. During this time she worked very closely with Mortgage Loan Officers, Commercial Lenders, and Certified Planners to identify the right resources for her clients. With a passion for work clients and continuously enhancing her education Shamrose holds a Bachelors in Business Administration, received her MBA from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Certification from the American Bankers Association. Shamrose also passed the Real Estate Course in Illinois before her move to Charlotte, NC. As she continues to be a part of the telecom industry her goal is to empower other women to network and connect within this industry.

Rebecca M. Gray is a Real Estate Specialist for Crown Castle USA Inc. in the Louisville District, Midwest Area. Since joining Crown Castle in October 2014, Rebecca handles traditional real estate and landlord issues. Prior to entering the wireless infrastructure industry, she had over ten years of real estate experience, primarily focusing on Residential and Commercial Real Estate transactions, Title and Title Insurance, and Business Development and Client Relationship Management with Kentucky banks, attorneys, and real estate professionals. Rebecca is a proud graduate of the University of Louisville and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Juris Doctor, and is admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association.

Ashli wears many hats at PM&A; but her main role is Recruiting and Project Coordination for the West region. Before arriving to PM&A, Ashli attended Texas State University and received her BS in FCS, with a focus on Fashion Merchandising and Events. Ashli joined WWLF to find a community of strong women to help her navigate the wireless industry. She hopes to return the favor at WWLF by helping it grow, becoming a mentor, and expanding the organization's reach to empower more women in the industry.