Executive Directors: 2023-2024

Debra Mercier, Chicago, IL based: Enterprise Sales Client Executive at Verizon.

Debra has over 25 years of Business Development and Leadership experience under her belt. Her passion for the industry is incomparable, as is her unrelenting support for her numerous clients. Her skillful ability to evolve and advance business strategies consistently lead to company growth and long-term customer satisfaction, as well as cultivating continuously positive relationships.

She is a long-time contributor to WWLF for 9 years, holding roles as Vice President and currently supporting the Programs Committee as the Co-Director of Programs.

Debra credits her success to developing strong long-term relationships with her clients, industry leaders, and all the amazing mentors that guided her and assisted in her growth throughout her career. Debra is a staunch advocate for Women’s rights in the workplace and continues to pay it forward and support the hard-working women in wireless by sharing her story and supporting the future growth of professionals in the wireless industry.

Debra’s story is the story of hard work, of persistence and drive. It is the story of perseverance through insurmountable odds. It is the story of struggle and victory. Ultimately, Debra’s story is the story of success.

To contact Debra, email her at programs@wwlf.org

Kelsey is an organized, analytical thinker who strives for success. Experienced in the areas of elaborate research, presentation development, leadership through articulation within various groups, and conflict resolution.

Kelsey is the Co-founder of GTEC Talent. GTEC Talent is a certified women-owned, talent acquisition and consulting firm that provides business and personnel solutions within telecommunications.

She holds over a decade of pertinent industry experience. Before GTEC, she was the Director of the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC) at WIA where she supported the development and implementation of industry training and education to ensure safety, quality, and efficiency for network deployments.

Prior to joining WIA, Kelsey worked with a national telecommunication site development firm driving relationships and deployments with major wireless carriers, cell tower owners, and vendors to support the expansion of 4G LTE, special projects, and venues, while supplying labor resources needed to deploy these projects.

Kelsey serves on the board of the Women in Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) as Executive Director of Programs (Mentorship) and has served on the board for 4 years. She has been an active member of WWLF for over 8 years and champions women’s success in telecom!

To contact Kelsey, email her at programs@wwlf.org

Taylor Sierra is a Project Manager at NextLink. Taylor is based out of Northwest Indiana.  Her career in telecommunications started in 2017 at a startup called Nepsa and has moved into project management roles in wireless, fiber operations, and government affairs over the last few years.  Her experience is in Project Management covering everything from initial contract through the end of the project, including budget creation, project tracking, construction scheduling and everything in-between.

As a commitment to herself and the industry, Taylor has held the position of Chicago City Representative, 2022 Fellowship Award Recipient and is currently the Executive Director of Membership for WWLF.  She is a director and co-chair of events for Illinois State Wireless Association.

In her free time Taylor enjoys spending time with her newborn daughter, husband and 2 dogs. Taylor and her family enjoy traveling and are big car enthusiasts.

To contact Taylor, email her at Membership@wwlf.org. 

Courtney Davis currently serves as Co-Executive Director of Education of WWLF. She has served on the Board of Directors of WWLF since 2021. This is her second term in this role and she is dedicated to developing valuable educational content for our WWLF members.

Courtney’s career in the wireless and digital infrastructure industry began in 2009, where she has held various positions in Operations, from Lease Administration to Site Development. A graduate of Florida State University College of Law, Courtney is employed as the Vice President, Small Cells & Renewable Infrastructure for MD7, a digital infrastructure consultancy helping operators build a more connected world.

When not in the office, you can find Courtney spending time with her husband and three children traveling, or at one of their various sports and activities.

Victoria Weidenthaler is the Corporate Counsel II - Land Use and Legislative Affairs at SBA Communications Corporation based in their Boca Raton, FL headquarters. In this capacity Victoria is responsible for providing expertise on land use, planning, and telecommunications siting. Victoria examines and secures land use entitlements for some of the wireless industries most complex development proposals. She is also engaged in the establishment and modification of state and local telecommunications land use laws. Victoria works closely with other industry leaders and represents SBA in the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s advocacy efforts.

Victoria has worked in the wireless infrastructure industry for ten years and was an integral part of some of the initial small cell regulatory frameworks and deployments in the Southeast. Victoria has been a long-standing member of the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) – previously serving as a committee member, Executive Director of Programs, and currently serving as the Co-Executive Director of Education.

To contact Victoria, email her at Education@wwlf.org

Carrie Charles is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Broadstaff, a national staffing firm specializing in telecommunications and technology workforce solutions, headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Carrie serves as Executive Director of Industry Relations of WWLF, with 2023 marking her fifth year on the board. Since 2015, Carrie has been a thought leader on workforce trends, women in tech and workplace diversity, and a frequent keynote speaker for industry conferences. She is the host of RCR Wireless News’ 5G Talent Talk podcast to a global audience of 150K+.

Carrie serves on the Board of Directors of CableRunner International and the NEDAS Technology Association, and as the mother of a childhood cancer survivor, Carrie has aligned her personal mission with her role on the Board of Directors of the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Carrie is passionate about creating a culture of wellness and excellence of using her diverse background as a lifelong entrepreneur, Certified Financial Planner, Certified Master Life Coach and a United States Marine Corps veteran. For over 30 years, Carrie has helped thousands grow personally and professionally, and has helped companies like General Dynamics, Hewlett Packard and Eli Lilly attract, engage and retain their employees. She has been a featured expert on NBC, HSN, Clear Channel networks, Thrive Global and various tech publications.

With more than 30 years of telecommunications experience building everything from cell sites to edge data centers, Beth has served as a Site Development Director and VP of Engineering during her tenure.

Beth is the past Vice President of Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum, current Co-Director of Brand Management, and a Texas Wireless Association Board Member. She is also the past President of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Wireless Association.

Beth is from “all over the South” and currently resides in Fort Myers, Florida. She is a self-proclaimed ‘serial DIY-er’ and can be found tearing something up and rebuilding it.

Fun Fact: As a teenager, Beth lived in Saudi Arabia and went to school in Salzburg, Austria.

Beth is a National Director of Business Development for Jacobs Telecommunications. This is Beth’s fourth term serving on as an Executive Director for WWLF, and she is passionate about empowering women in technology and wireless industries. After graduating with a civil engineering degree from Auburn University, Beth held several positions in environmental and engineering services and quickly discovered her interest in business management and growth strategy. Beth began her career in the wireless industry in 1995. Prior to joining Jacobs, Beth served as Director of Engineering for Towersource, LLC.

Beth is a member of Florida Wireless Association, Georgia Wireless Association, Texas Wireless Association, Alabama Wireless Association, New Jersey Wireless Association and the Carolina Wireless Association. Beth served as Director of Registration for the South Wireless Summit for 9 years and continues to volunteer at various industry events. Beth enjoys spending time with family and friends traveling, boating or playing golf.

Lauren Goff is the Environmental Service Group Leader for Ramaker & Associates. Ramaker is an Employee-Owned firm specializing in full service turn-key telecom services in-house. Lauren has been an environmental consultant for 20 years. She has been an active member of WWLF for going on 5 years, previously serving on the Chicago Committee, as the National Director of Events, and now as the Co-Director of Ways and Means. 

Laura Lora currently serves as Executive Director of Events for WWLF. 

Laura is one of 3 founding partners of LCC Law, which open its doors in 2001 and after 15 years of successful business, rebranded to LCC Telecom Services, LLC in 2015.  Laura is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.  She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida International University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science and International Relations, a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law in 2000.  Laura entered the wireless industry by being recruited by a tier-1 carrier as a Property Specialist in the Detroit Market.

Laura is a native of the Dominican Republic, and speaks fluent Spanish and French.   Laura enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

To contact Laura, email her at Events@wwlf.org.