WWLF News and Annoucements

Despite recent efforts to foster diversity and inclusivity in corporate America, many industries remain male-dominated. This is especially true for the telecoms industry, where historic barriers have impeded progress. Although it is estimated (Zippia) that only 34% of telecom employees are female, this number is gradually increasing and can be further improved by advocating from within.

As CEO of Tillman Infrastructure, I am passionate about ensuring that we push that percentage significantly higher, not only within my own organization, but throughout the industry. My journey to CEO has been incredibly rewarding, but as I’m sure many women will attest to from their own experiences, it has had a unique set of challenges.

Following my graduation from Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, I began working as an analyst at Citigroup. I had the opportunity to be a part of a core team that was integrating and growing a new business unit into the organization, so I was exposed not only to the finances but also the operations of the group. After a few years, I felt the desire to further my education, which led me to leave Citigroup and earn my master’s degree in business administration from INSEAD.

Upon completion, I was hired as an investment analyst at MAST Capital Management. This role taught me how to determine the key levers in the operations of a company that drive value, as well as how an optimized capital structure can help fuel growth of a business. I learned so much from my peers and mentors at MAST, but after four and half years I was ready for a change – and I missed my family. This led me to approach my father about joining him and my brother in scaling his business, Tillman Global Holdings, an investor, owner, and operator of telecoms assets around the world. Committed to instilling fairness and transparency across the telecoms industry, Tillman Global Holdings proved to be the ideal place for personal and professional growth.

As with any company just starting out, Tillman Infrastructure’s team was small, but agile. Titles were not structured or assigned, so I spent time across all sectors of the business, from hiring to operations, which allowed me to apply my skills and industry knowledge to scale the business.

By joining Tillman at its roots, I was able to grow simultaneously with the company, which is a unique opportunity I will always be grateful for. I was exposed to countless growth and leadership opportunities, and I learned everything I know today about towers from my incredible colleagues that have joined the business over the past several years.

As I took on this role as CFO, I was faced with the fundamental challenge of establishing credibility not only as a woman, but as a young professional in the field. Being the only woman in the room at countless meetings, I had to confidently assert myself and trust that my preparation, knowledge, and hard work would shine through. After 5 years as CFO, I was promoted to CEO of Tillman infrastructure in 2022. I find it crucial for women to be more involved in the industry. While telecom was historically perhaps a difficult industry for women to break into – and be recognized in – our role in this field is as important as ever. Digital infrastructure is the highway of our generation. Women should be trailblazers in this field and lead the charge on bridging the digital divide.

When I am interviewing potential hires, I am looking for core skills and the right values in a candidate. If a female applicant with extensive experience in this sector is hard to find, then let’s look for a talented female candidate in an adjacent industry. I want to challenge other c-suite executives to dig deeper and look harder for female and minority candidates. We should be willing to take a leap of faith and put our trust in a candidate’s raw talent, work ethic, and ability to creatively solve problems, whatever field they may be coming from.

I am so proud of the fact that, today, over 50% of our C-suite at Tillman Infrastructure is female. I also love that when I walk into a meeting with almost any of our customer partners, I am greeted by at least as many female leaders in the room as males. As I look even further down the chain – over 50% of the engineering class at Columbia University is now female. When I was a student, that figure was under 25%. I know that over the coming years we will see the percentage of female leaders in this industry continue to increase tremendously.

If you are a female looking to grow your career in telecom or digital infrastructure, I encourage you to stay curious, be willing to adopt a creative approach to problem solving, take ownership of decision making, work diligently towards your goals, and have confidence in yourself. Pursue areas that are of interest to you, and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Lastly, reach out to senior women in the field, as I know so many of us are passionate about supporting and mentoring the next generation of female leaders. WWLF is a great place to connect with women in the industry as are the local chapters of State Wireless Associations.

by Ashli Fuselier, SMW Engineering Group, Inc., WWLF Secretary, TXWA President

In Late April, the Telecom world ascended on Vegas for the 2023 Wireless West Conference. The event kicked off with a Golf Tournament at the Arroyo Golf Club. After a beautiful day on the course, the attendees enjoyed an opening reception with a live band, Vegas-style entertainment, and lots of hands to shake.

After a flashy start, including a live Elvis impersonator, our host, President of CALWA, Rodrigo de la Rosa, kicked us off. The speakers and panels covered many industry topics including “The State of the Data Center Market”; “Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Infrastructure Deployment”; and “EV Charging Infrastructure.”

To break up the day lunch was provided by the resort pool before a marathon afternoon of panels and breakout sessions. Continuing the glitz and glam of Vegas, the closing reception was a white party at the pool with showgirls, live painting, and flashy backdrops for all the selfies.

Our very own Lauren Goff, Carolyn Hardwick and Ashli Fuselier closed the event with an all women led panel, moderated by Kari Willis. “Rolling the Dice: A Fireside Chat with WWLF” was about current industry trends, woes, and intrigue we have been hearing from our members – the panel addressed some sensitive topics that need to be discussed among the big players of the industry. The Panelists also discussed how to get the most out of their career and continue growing within the ever-changing industry. With a live taping for the CALWA Podcast, and a closing panel of all women from WWLF, Wireless West was one for the books!

We are proud to announce Liane Sippin as the 2023 Fellowship Award winner. Liane will be mentored by Deborah Fraembs.

“We would like to thank the impressive pool of applicants that applied for the WWLF Fellowship program. It is a testament to the outstanding talent and commitment to supporting women in the industry. As a review committee, we were inspired by Lianne's dedication to investing in the success of women at DISH Wireless, as well as her passion for community service and volunteerism. We look forward to seeing her continue to encourage and empower women throughout her career,” Debra Mercier, WWLF Co-Executive Director of Programs.

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.

New Orleans was host to an estimated 3,500 industry professionals attending Connect (X) at the Morial Convention Center, May 8 – 10, 2023.

As always, this conference, presented by WWLF’s parent organization, the Wireless Infrastructure Association, offered cutting edge educational programming including satellite connectivity, open RAN, multi-access edge compute (MEC), and the latest trends in policy and regulation.

Workforce development concerns were top of mind throughout the show. WWLF’s panel, “Workforce Engagement in the Era of Generation Z and Beyond” discussed the challenges facing business leaders as they lead the diverse workforce of today and tomorrow. WWLF Immediate Past-President, Amanda Cahill led a thoughtful discussion by WWLF Vice President, Carolyn Hardwick, Gigi Majors, Senior Vice President of Harmoni Towers, and Telisa Schelin, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ExteNet.

We were also excited to see panels presented by WWLF Executive Director of Industry Relations, Carrie Charles, and WWLF Boca Raton/South Florida City Representative, Leticia Latino.

Lauren Goff, WWLF Executive Director of Ways & Means, stated, “What I enjoyed most about Connect(X) this year was threefold: unbelievably valuable learning and networking, the opportunity to work with both my Ramaker and WWLF teams to maximize our presence at the conference, and let’s be clear - hearing our WWLF President Lynn Whitcher speak about our organization was nothing short of inspiring! I enjoy public speaking, but watching Lynn on stage, she has inspired me to set my goals even higher to better hone my craft. Expert job, Lynn! You are an inspiring leader. Thank you for sharing your gift!”

WWLF was honored to host the closing night reception with 433 of our closest friends and supporters. Guests were treated to a private viewing of some of the most recognizable Mardi Gras parade floats and props before heading over to a quintessential Louisiana garden party experience featuring a starlit sky over an indoor garden filled with life-size oak trees, and footbridges over a beautiful stream.

One of the highlights of the show was sharing the experience with our 2023 Fellowship Award recipient, Liane Sippin, Executive Business Partner at DISH Wireless in Chicago and her mentor, Deborah Fraembs.

“Connect (X) 2023 was one for the books. From the speaker sessions to the networking events, this year will be the one to beat. It was great to see the empowerment and the sense of community felt by the WWLF members at Connect (X),” shared Arleth Carbajal, National Director of Events.

Next year’s conference will be held May 14 – 16, 2024 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. We will see you there!

Arleth Carbajal
Senior Project Manager, LCC Telecom Services
WWLF Regional Director Events - Central Region

How long have you been a City/Regional Rep for WWLF and what is your territory/region?

"I have been the Regional Director Events – Central Region since 2021. I was formerly the City Rep for Chicago."

Why did you join WWLF?

"I joined WWLF to connect with other female professionals in our wireless industry."

How has being a part of WWLF impacted you personally or professionally?

"WWLF has tremendously impacted me professionally and personally. The women have helped me find my voice and boosted my confidence. I have in turned done my best to also assist any new members as they come in unsure of how to connect. I have not only made professional connections but I can call some of these women my friends!"

Where did you get your start in the industry? What is your current role?

"I have been with LCC Telecom Services for 11 years. I started as front desk receptionist, then assisted with their real estate. I then moved to their accounting department before I moved to the site acquisition side. I am now a Senior Project Manager, assisting, guiding and overseeing various projects. I am a board member and co-chair of membership for Illinois State Wireless Association. "

What are your top 3 leadership lessons or advice?

"1) always be sure to listen
 2) Stay organized
 3) know your audience. I have had to learn to work with different personalities and how to efficiently communicate with each one."

How do you define success?

"Success is different for everyone. For me, Success is feeling fulfilled and happy."

What do you like to do outside of work?

"I love to spend time with my 3 children, (1 year old, 2 year old and 10 year old), going outside or to the park. We love to stay in and have movie nights together.  I also do crafting on my free time."

I recently attended an FIA Formula E race as a VIP guest, which gave me unique access to the pits, crews, and drivers. I’m not sure why, but at the time I was invited, the “E” (standing for “Electric”) never quite hit home and I was expecting something along the lines of what we’ve all come to know and love in traditional auto sports.  Well, I was woefully incorrect, but wonderfully surprised.  I expected to see Formula cars tearing around the track at breakneck speeds, to hear the deafening whine and hum of high-revving engines and the cacophonous sound of the pits as crews sprang into action during each stop, assessing wear and changing tires, wings and other parts with the efficiency and skill of well-programmed robots.  And the smell – who can forget that intoxicating combination of high-octane fuel, exhaust, and burnt rubber? However, rather than the traditional Formula One race I expected, what I got was a front row preview in what is certain to be the evolution of motor sports.  No – this was not the in-your-face, brash display of masculine bravado, but rather a refined, sophisticated, and incredibly orchestrated event of sport and science. All done with electricity, computers, technology.  Speed isn’t sacrificed, in fact, it is increased.  Engineers and drivers are in constant communication, working as one. The thrill is less about the sounds and smell – and all about the storage and management of potential energy - and its eventual explosive, magnificent conversion to kinetic energy and mind-bending acceleration and speed.  Sound and feel are replaced by the potential, the bet on the best and most efficient use of engineering, science and physics.  It’s batteries, Baby!

After decades of trial and error, empty promises, and even industrial sabotage – EV’s are finally hitting the scene. While the first generation of the current crop of EV entrants have mostly died off (Fiskar anyone?). One notable company, Tesla, has not only survived, but triumphed against all odds and emerged as a global leader in the automotive industry, writ large (don’t get me started on Tesla’s Ludicrous Mode). While some may argue that EV’s aren’t out of the woods yet, Tesla alone puts up a compelling counterpoint given that it’s current market cap of $600 Billion is several times larger than those of the Big 3 auto makers…combined.  In fact, EV’s are not just a reality – they’ve become mainstream and a part of everyday life.  Let’s just say we’ve come a long way since the first commercially viable EV effort, the Electrobat was introduced in 1894!   

America is embracing electric transportation fast and furious.  Enter the coffers of the US government with programs like National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and we are in the throes of the movement to a more cost-effective, cleaner, quieter technology with its primary goal of addressing climate change.  Whether the proliferation of EVs will really improve climate change or if our infrastructure is even ready to handle the immense increase in grid demand, is another story.  For now, it’s the wave of our future.

As infrastructure designers, developers, builders, and managers, this means a new movement in the telecommunications industry.  A new division of technology to be rapidly deployed.  Cities with charging stations will be more attractive and have more resources to make their cities shine.  Housing developments with charging stations will offer additional features to their occupants and have another way to generate revenue.  Shopping centers, airports, parking garages… the list goes on for monetization opportunities. Oh, and they all need to be connected! But what does it take to install a charging station?  Land, electricity, backhaul, permitting. Property research, land acquisition, permitting, engineering, construction, program management.  Sound familiar?  For those of us in the telecommunications industry, this is what we have been doing for the past ~30+ years with wireless mobile telecommunications. 

So, pull up your bootstraps, and get ready for an exciting time.  As all telecom industry initiatives begin, the movement is underway and we’re behind.  Get ready to be involved, get educated and enjoy the ride.

Over MWC in Las Vegas this year, I had the opportunity to ride the Vegas Loop, between the Convention Center and the The Resorts hotel property.   The underground high-speed transit system is the brainchild of Elon Musk, the ultimate champion of electric and autonomous vehicles. 

The ride mirrored that of an amusement park attraction.  The lane was just wide enough for the car and the tunnel was lit, but not by natural light.  The Tesla that chauffeured us reached a top speed of only 40mph, though I understand the long-term goal for greater distances is upwards of 100mph!  And…autonomous, of course.

Space and time became irrelevant as we sped under the glitz and grit of sin city.  Three minutes later we emerged at our destination.  Total cost $3.

I’m sold.  Ludicrous Electrobat, anyone?

Candidates for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer are currently serving in leadership with WWLF and will be installed in January 2023.

Nominations will be received from October 31 – November 14, and voting for candidates will take place between November 21 – December 16.

You must be an active member in order to nominate and to cast your vote!

For more information about qualifications for nominations, please contact Amanda Cahill at president@wwlf.org.

For more information about joining WWLF or renewing your membership, please visit our website www.wwlf.org.

According to a 2022 Deloitte article, the technology and telecommunications sectors are set to close the gender gap in the years ahead. Both industries are expected to see an increase in women in the industry and in more senior roles. As more women begin to join the telecommunications industry it is important that they are equipped with the knowledge to ask for and negotiate the compensation packages they deserve. A few keywords to keep in mind when approaching a salary negotiation are time, research, and expectations.

Taking your time prior to a negotiation goes a long way. During my first few professional negotiation experiences, I was impatient, so I took whatever amount was offered to me. I was eager to start at the company and insecure in my abilities, so I wanted to get the paperwork completed as soon as possible. In retrospect, I could have positioned myself into a better deal if I was more comfortable with taking my time. When a compensation package is offered to you, ask if you can take some time to think about it. Even if you know what to counter with or are happy with the initial offer, asking for some time to think about the offer allows you the opportunity to do additional research and set your expectations. The negotiation phase is your opportunity to take your time before you move forward with a company. The highest salary increases are often seen when joining a new company versus moving upwards within your current organization.

WWLF Director Debra Mercier’s number one tip when it comes to salary negotiation is “do your research”. Research is the second keyword to think about when preparing for a negotiation and it extends beyond just looking at what a company typically offers for a certain position. The first step of completing research starts with using tools such as LinkedIn Premium or Glassdoor to see what the company typically offers for the position you are applying for. Next, look at similar positions in the company and the positions that are above the one you will hopefully be accepting.  Understanding the base salary for numerous positions in an organization allows you to be knowledgeable about what you can potentially earn as you promote within the organization. The next step is to engage with your professional network. Reach out to professionals you know in the industry and ask them “what would you expect the salary range for this position to be?”. The members in WWLF are great resources to field this information. Many of the women in this organization are well versed in the salaries for different positions and have most likely been in similar positions as you. Another tip is to look at different job titles that have similar responsibilities. The job titles between companies may vary but taking the time to research the salaries tied to positions that have similar objectives to the one you are applying for leaves you better equipped in your negotiation. 

The third key word to think about is expectations. The research portion of your prep allows you to set expectations around what the position offers but you also want to set expectations around yourself. Think about what your minimum acceptable number is and how to respond to it. Prepare written responses to accept, counteroffer or decline. These responses and numbers should vary from company to company depending on the full compensation package.

With time, research, and proper expectations, any newcomer to the telecommunications industry should be well equipped in their negotiations.  In addition to this, joining WWLF and connecting with women who have experience in this male-dominated field is a sure-fire way to position yourself for success as you join a new company.

You may have seen the acronym ESG floating around, especially in earnings reports and company updates. This relatively new concept is gaining momentum and shaping the way many companies are doing business.

What is ESG? ESG stands for ‘Environmental, Social and Governance,’ and it describes factors many companies are now using to guide their operations with responsibility and ethics toward society in mind. The theory behind ESG is that a focus on these three tenets of company behavior, including hiring practices and operational processes, makes the company more attractive to investors, customers, regulators and employees. ESG also is thought to reduce various risks and increase company success.

Environmental factors generally refer to how a company safeguards the environment, including energy consumption, emissions and equipment end-of-life. Social factors refer to how the company manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers and the community. Governance addresses the company’s leadership, executive pay, internal controls and shareholder rights.

ESG considerations can vary widely among industries. In the wireless industry, for example, infrastructure that connects individuals, companies and governments typically consume about 1 percent of a country’s total electricity consumption, according to PwC Partner Rolf Meakin in an interview with Financier Worldwide. The ongoing rollout of the next generation of ultra-high-speed communications networks will enable greater economic inclusion and have the potential to improve energy efficiency, he said.

Several companies in the wireless infrastructure ecosystem are already forging ahead with ESG initiatives.

American Tower reports on its ESG initiatives annually. For 2021, the company pointed to its efforts to reduce emissions, expand its portfolio of solar capacity, continue to establish digital communities, distribute nearly $6 million in workplace giving and matching programs and become a signatory to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and the UN’s Women’s Empowerment Principles.

“Our sustainability program is grounded in our strategic priorities to foster a more equitable culture for our employees, improve our operational efficiencies, support the needs of our customers, uphold ethics and integrity at every level of the organization and engage with our local communities,” said Tom Bartlett, president and CEO of American Tower. ”Steadfast commitment to these key priorities will be integral to our continued success, especially as we continue to grow our business in this technology-driven era.”

DigitalBridge Group Inc. published its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report this summer, which outlines the company’s approach to creating a positive global impact, driving sustainable growth and advancing its ESG initiatives across its portfolio companies, as well as notable recent ESG achievements and commitments for 2022.

“At DigitalBridge, we are focused on raising the bar as we invest in value-add digital infrastructure opportunities,” said Marc Ganzi, chief executive officer of DigitalBridge. “We are proud to have further evolved our responsible, sustainable approach to owning and managing our portfolio companies over the past year. Moreover, the successful implementation of our company-wide ESG initiatives and commitment to reaching net zero by 2030 have set higher standards for us all.”

In addition to its commitment for portfolio companies to achieve net zero, DigitalBridge has worked to ensure all its portfolio companies manage their environmental performance in a manner that seeks to conserve natural resources, reduce operating costs and adhere to all local regulations.

Belden, a global supplier of specialty networking solutions, announced its first reporting of ESG data this year. Belden’s environmental goals include reducing greenhouse emissions; increasing the use of renewable electricity and increasing total global electricity use efficiency at manufacturing and distribution locations; minimizing waste generation including hazardous wastes and requiring recycling of waste rather than disposal. Belden’s social goals include fostering a culture of teamwork through diversity and inclusion. The company hired a director of inclusive culture and has a goal of delivering unconscious bias training to 100 percent of its team worldwide by 2025.

“ESG is a key piece of Belden’s overall strategy,” said Roel Vestjens, president and CEO. “These efforts will positively impact Belden associates, enhance our care of the world around us, and continue our long-standing commitment to operating with the highest level of ethics and responsibility. From our ESG commitment to our shift to providing comprehensive solutions for our customers, many of which enable them to accomplish their own sustainability goals, there are many initiatives taking place which demonstrate the transformation driving the next chapter in Belden’s history. I’m so proud of all Belden associates who share the passion for bringing this to life.”

This past August, WWLF held another dynamic virtual book discussion.  I was thrilled to co-lead the session along with WWLF Vice-President, Beth Martindale.  Our choice of book was the inspirational “Unapologetically Ambitious” by Shellye Archambeau. Shellye is the former CEO of MetricStream.  Ms. Archambeau has over 30 years of experience in technology leading organizations focused on business-to-business as well as business-to-consumer.

The book begins with her remarkable childhood beginnings and paints a vivid picture of her loving family and the values they instilled in her.  Like many parents, they sacrificed and saved to afford quality experiences and education for their children.  But Shellye remembers these “sacrifices” as “choices” and uses this notion as a framework for her story.

She divides her book into five distinct sections and offers advice and insights on how to navigate the various stages of professional and personal life.  Some of the Early Lessons in Part One are: “Create Your Own Luck” and “Beware of Imposter Syndrome”.  One of the chapters that really resonated with the WWLF members on the video call was “Find Your Cheerleaders” - “We all need cheerleaders in life:  People who, when things aren’t going well, will believe in you and tell you you’re a good person.”  For Archambeau, her family was her first cheerleaders.  Through WWLF, we have found cheerleaders who support each other.

In the chapter entitled “Set Your Goals”, the author writes about her “seemingly insatiable craving for recognition.”  With vivid honesty, she recounts her early realizations that being involved in organizations gave her a way to show leadership and make an impact, even as a high schooler.  A younger version of herself connected the dots that would lead her to set a goal of wanting to run a business someday.

In Part Two, “Strategize for Success”, she digs into the juice of the book about her planning and preparation.  In the chapter on Fostering Self-Determination, Shellye writes about the three key factors of self-determination: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.  “Research has shown that if you don’t have all three, you’ll be more likely to struggle or withdraw from challenges… Looking back I see how carefully my parents steered me toward developing all three categories.”

Part Three is about “Living the Plan” and her descriptions of how she put her ambitious and thoughtful plan into action are fascinating!  Each goal was executed, from her choice of qualities in a spouse to the timing of when she had children.  Shellye Archambeau moved forward with no second thoughts.  The chapter about delegating hit home for me.  Her advice echoes many other management and leadership experts: Learn to delegate.  “I don’t mean that senior people don’t work hard.  Most do.  But they take on less creation personally.  They inspire, direct, review, edit, and enable their teams to get the necessary work done.”  The author challenges her readers to Embrace their Limits, Live Your Values, and, somewhat controversially, “Forget about Work/Life Balance.”  “I believe in making choices, not sacrifices.”

In Part Four of the book, entitled “Swerve,” we join the author as she matures into her life and career and has to make even more difficult decisions in order to achieve her goals.  She acknowledges the choices that took her away from her family, especially as she pursued a new position in Silicon Valley.  I don’t want to spoil the ending, but for those who aren’t familiar with Ms. Archambeau’s trajectory, let’s just say she had to make some tough decisions in order to build and grow each company that she was a part of, especially the technology start-ups she joined.  Her tenacity is catching.  You cannot help but be inspired by her journey.  She also shares encouragement with her readers..  “Believe in yourself.  Set your goals.  Go after them.  Reap the rewards.  You deserve it.  These are the messages I want you to take with you.”

In the final section, Improving Your Odds, she covers such topics as Finding Your Mentors, Building Your Network, and Taking Risks.  Her story is more than just a how-to but also serves to inspire and embolden women to take action to further their career without apologies!