Kristen Marano
Business Development Manager- Renewables, Kineticom
How long have you been a City Rep for WWLF and what is your territory/region?
I am the WWLF City Representative for San Diego and have been in my position for a year
Why did you join WWLF?
As a newcomer to the industry, I was approached about the opportunity to join WWLF to network with more women in the space and learn more about the industry. My company, Kineticom Inc., actively supports Women in Wireless and encouraged me to apply for the WWLF San Diego City Representative position. WWLF immediately offered a network of women and educational sessions that support and encourage women to have a space in the industry. WWLF offers an incredible mentorship program to connect newcomers with established women in the space.
How has being a part of WWLF impacted you personally or professionally?
The WWLF mentorship program impacted me because it gave me the confidence to navigate industry events and be ‘comfortably uncomfortable’ in new spaces by not only my mentor, Sara but also my company, Kineticom and the WWLF network. My mentor, Sara Muehlberger, helped me grow professionally and personally throughout our monthly video meetings and is a person I proudly call a friend! Sara was a profound positive force in my first year in WWLF and encouraged me to bridge WWLF with my current position of Brand and Business Development Manager with Kineticom while also encouraging that it is OK to slow down and embrace hitting ‘pause’.
WWLF requires City Reps to plan two events a year and I planned the first WWLF End of Summer Social in September of 2021. The event pushed me to grow professionally (finding 11 industry sponsors) and connect with key players of the 11 companies, especially women: Shout outs to Jennifer Hawk with Kineticom, Gabriella Bedor with TeleWorld Solutions, Cori Aluli with 5G LLC, Jennifer Winters with Tangent, and Gina Dorati with Wes-Tec. Shout out to the WWLF Events committee that made it happen: Laura Lora, Stella Nguyen Bezebah, and Michelle Salisbury. Shout out to the sponsors of the event who made it happen: Kineticom Inc., Helicore, Tarpon Towers, MasTec, TeleWorld Solutions, 5G LLC, Wes-Tec, Fibe-Con, EBI Consulting, Motive Infrastructure Solutions, Tangent Systems, and GSS Inc.
Where did you get your start in the industry? What is your current role?
I started in the industry with Kineticom Inc., a nationwide consulting and staffing firm in telecom and renewable energy. I am currently the Brand and Business Development Manager and oversee our Renewables Division. Kineticom encourages all employees to seek out industry networks. Our executive team is an unwavering support for organizations like WWLF.
What is your favorite Quote?
Carpe Diem.
What are your top 3 leadership lessons or advice?
-‘Set the table with your clients’
-‘Never overpromise and under deliver’
-‘You can’t be successful if you burn the candle at both ends all the time’
What does confidence mean to you?
Confidence to me is having a high level of self-awareness and being comfortable with not having all the answers. It also means establishing connections with all women in the industry, to include women in other competing companies. In a male dominated space, it is easy for women to overdo it by trying to prove themselves and compete against one another. A truly confident woman knows that she can be both successful in her job while also celebrating her competitors’ success. I appreciate organizations like WWLF and my company that encourage these connections among all women in the telecom space.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Much like my favorite quote, ‘Carpe Diem’, I think it is important for both mental and physical health to actively go after every day and see it as an opportunity. As the daughter of a Marine, I became an early riser and believe in the importance of waking up early and moving my body before the workday through boxing, Pilates, yoga, and running. You could find me hiking, trying a new restaurant, planning my next adventure, or relaxing on the beach.
