the WWLF Connection

Dear member,

Thank you to all members, sponsors, and supports of the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum for the continued engagement through the first half of this year. Can you believe 2022 is only six months away? Let that sink in for a moment.

This time of year always marks excitement for summertime activities and vacations. It’s a wonderful time of year to create memories and I encourage you to soak up every minute of it.

As we head into the second half of 2021, remember that you get to decide how the rest of the year shapes up. Each day you’re given the opportunity to course correct, pivot, double down on what is working or walk away from what is no longer serving you. Even if you broke your New Year’s resolution(s) it’s never too late to change or redirect your focus to finish the year strong.

A few strategies to help make the next six months work in your favor include:

1.) Reevaluate what you want. This goes for both personal and professional goals. Revisit your goals from the beginning of the year. Which of the goals is your top priority? What do you truly want to accomplish in the next six months? Do you need to refocus or change your goals? (Here is your permission to make changes. You’re not doing yourself a service by forcing goals that no longer serve the long-term vision.)

2.) Disrupt and edit your routine. Take an inventory of your daily and weekly routine. Where are you wasting too much time? Where are you not spending enough time? What in your routine is effecting your mood, both negatively and positively? What changes do you need to make to your routine to be able to work on your goal(s) for the next six months?

3.) Enlist others to help hold you accountable. Again, this works both personally and professionally. Do you currently have an accountability partner or perhaps a colleague/manager that you can share your goals with and help to hold you accountable? Having a community, such as WWLF, or a mentor/mentee through WWLF’s Program Committee is also a great way to get accountability. One of the best ways to position yourself to achieve your goals is to share them.

It's my hope as we move through the rest of 2021 that the WWLF community will continue to be a driving force to help you reach your potential and utilize the educational programming and networking opportunities to make the rest of the year a success.

As always, the WWLF board is available to assist and support our industry colleagues and we look forward to seeing you at the many upcoming events.

On behalf of the Executive Leadership and Executive Directors, we thank you for your membership and the continued support.

Please let us know how we can support you.


Sincerely,

Amanda Cahill

President, Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum  

Amanda Cahill, President, Women's Wireless Leadership Forum

 How to Get the Most out of Supplier Diversity Certifications


Written by Kristen Beckman

Headshot of Kristin Beckman

Supplier diversity certifications are becoming an increasingly important part of doing business for women- and minority-owned businesses. Certifications guarantee to companies that suppliers they contract with or hire are, in fact, diverse.

The Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum hosted a webinar about the topic, featuring real world scenarios and best practices for getting the most out of certifications. The panel was hosted by Lynn Whitcher and Courtney Davis, co-executive directors of education for WWLF. Panelists included Darretta Whitfield, Supplier Diversity Manager, Charter Communications; Debora Battaglia, Director of Business Development, LCC Telecom Services, LLC; Heather Cox, Co-Founder and President, Certify My Company; Karen Caldwell, President, Caldwell Compliance; and Shamrose Ali, Director of Operations, Texas Wireless Communication LLC.

Whitfield said diversity is important to corporations, and specifically for Charter, because it brings people to the room with different backgrounds, different experiences, and different thought processes. “It adds to our ability to be creative and to be innovative and to solve problems and just to have a better product and service,” said Whitfield.

Becoming certified can help women- and minority-owned businesses gain footing in competitive markets, and many companies are even requiring certification from their diverse suppliers. But the process to become certified isn’t always easy, and the benefits aren’t always immediately apparent, panelists said.

Read the full article.

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WWLF Spotlight: Susie Poirier

Susie has been the City Rep for Austin 2015-2019 and again in 2021

Headshot of Tara Rand

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

WWLF talks with Susie Poirier, Program Manager at LCC Telecom Services and WWLF Austin City Rep.  Susie has been the Austin City Rep from 2015-2019, and now also in 2021.

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

I got my start in the industry in 2008 doing a one-month lease project for Diamond and T-Mobile through LCC Law.  I then started full time at LCC Telecom Services (formerly LCC Law), in 2010 as a site acquisition agent and Attorney.  I am now Program Manager for the company and continue to manage team members on various Site acquisition projects.

Why did you join WWLF?

I had attended some WWLF local events in Chicago at the Lynfred Winery in 2010.  As someone new in the industry, it was great to meet and connect with others, specifically women, in the industry. After attending some more events (local and national), I continued to be impressed by WWLF and wanted to be a part of it.

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

Personally, WWLF has helped to provide connections and friendships made through WWLF. WWLF also provided a sisterhood of women in wireless, and provides a common ground with other women or members. Professionally, not only have the connections made helped with the industry, but also the Lunch and Learn, other lectures, and online programs have helped to me to grow in my knowledge of the industry.

Learn more about Susie Poirier in the July WWLF Spotlight.

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 CALWA Podcast Interview with Amanda Cahill, WWLF President

Headshot of Amanda Cahill

“…at the end of the day I just wanted to give back to the community that gave so much to me…” Amanda Cahill, WWLF President

Listen NOW on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or click here.

The California Wireless Industry Association is a nonprofit association for people working in, and interested in advancing, the wireless industry in California. CALWA has been advancing the wireless industry, helping businesses grow, fostering connections between people, and impacting lives through the charities they support for over 10 years.

On the May 25th episode of the CALWA Podcast, John Koos, Senior Vice President at Butler America Telecom LLC, sat down with Amanda Cahill, WWLF President.

Amanda talks about the history, purpose, and initiatives of WWLF.  She also talks about her personal career journey and how much WWLF means to her.  “My entire experience with WWLF has shaped the woman that I am today… gave me the opportunity to shine in areas that were outside of my comfort zone I was scared a lot, I was uncomfortable a lot, and that was my first real experience witnessing the power of mentorship and how surrounding yourself with people who thrive on collaboration can truly change the course of someone's life.”

Read the full article to find out more and take a few moments to listen to the whole interview!

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Upcoming Events

 

IMPACT TAMPA: 

 Homeless Breakfast Service

July 10, 2021
8:00AM to 10:30AM (EDT)
412 E Zack St., Tampa, FL, 33602


WWLF is proud to introducing IMPACT…

IMPACT is a Women Wireless Leadership Forum’s Discussion Group

The purpose of this group is to facilitate a meeting of the minds and foster discussion to support, empower and enrich the lives of our members.

 
REGISTER HERE

Monthly Networking Events!
WWLF Members Only

Although times are getting somewhat back to normal, we are still not quite there yet.

So, let's come together and connect while enjoying our morning ritual of coffee, tea, lemon water or whatever your choice of drink!

During this Monday Motivation and Mugs, each attendee will have one minute to introduce themselves and talk about what they are looking for/needing during these times: job opportunities, connections, friendly support, etc..

July 12, 2021 Motivation and Mugs

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)

Zoom link to be sent before the event

Registration closes the Friday before the event.

 
REGISTER HERE FOR THE JULY 12 MOTIVATION AND MUGS

Aug 02, 2021 Motivation and Mugs

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EST)

Zoom link to be sent before the event

Registration closes the Friday before the event.

 
REGISTER HERE FOR THE AUG 02 MOTIVATION AND MUGS
 

Come join your fellow WWLF friends as we get creative at AR Workshop.

AR Workshop®: a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes for creating custom and charming home décor from raw materials.  Join an instructor-led workshop to make customizable wood signs, frames, canvas pillows, round signs, lazy susans, centerpiece boxes, trays, chunky knit blankets and more!  AR Workshop will help you take your home decor to the next level and have fun while creating it!

Thursday, July 29th 

6:30PM-9:00PM (EDT)

135 Chesterfield Towne Center in Chesterfield, MO 63005 14087

Link will be provided to Participants to register and choose their project and enter their customization information.

We ask that all participants register at least 48 hours in advance to allow the facility time to customize everyone's materials and get the coolest, most talented staff on board for your group.

Thanks so much and see you soon!

 
REGISTER HERE

 

ALL FIRED UP!  

WWLF is All Fired Up to see you for a fun night of pottery painting, refreshments  great conversation, and an opportunity to give back to your local community.

We will be collecting items for Pebble Tossers’ (a youth development nonprofit with a mission to empower and equip youth to lead through service) back to school drive; specific items requested are listed on the attached flyer.

This event is limited to 30 people, so please RSVP right away!

Wednesday, August 11th 
6PM-9PM (EDT)
All Fired Up, 53 S Main St. #1, Alpharetta, GA 30009

Cost: Individual attendees will be responsible for their own pottery purchase

We hope to see you there!


 
 
REGISTER HERE

All events open to WWLF members

Become a new member of WWLF or renew your membership today!


Thank you to our exclusive newsletter sponsor

Click to go to the SBA Communications Corporation website

Connect with WWLF

WWLF is a proud affiliate of WIA

Women's Wireless Leadership Forum C/O WIA
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 210 Arlington, VA 22201

© 2021 Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum All Rights Reserved

WWLF is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are welcome in all aspects of our organization. WWLF values the knowledge and perspectives that our members bring to our organization from their diverse backgrounds. While all members are welcome to participate in both regional and national events, WWLF remains committed to the design and delivery of content to support the development of women in the wireless communications industry.