In The January 2024 Issue: |
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Thank you to our Newsletter sponsor: |
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Message from Taylor Sierra
WWLF Executive Director
of Membership |
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Hello 2024!
A warm welcome to all our new members, and a heartfelt welcome back to our returning members! We have a lot of new and exciting things coming up this year and we hope you join us on this journey!
At WWLF, our mission is to contribute to your success. As a valued member, you gain access to a range of benefits throughout the year, including networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and educational events—all included with your membership. These events are a great opportunity for connecting with industry peers, fostering existing relationships, and establishing new ones.
We are thrilled to have you as part of our community and encourage you to actively engage in the various membership benefits offered throughout the year. Whether you choose to participate in some or all of these opportunities, know that WWLF is here to empower you on your professional journey.
If you have any questions on how you can become more involved with WWLF or would like to learn more about a bulk membership, please don’t hesitate to contact me at membership@wwlf.org.
Thank you,
Taylor Sierra
WWLF Executive Director of Membership |
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It Takes A Village
Written by Arleth Carbajal, WWLF National Events Director |
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2023 was a great year for WWLF! We are looking forward to an even better 2024! Now you may wonder how is WWLF, a nation-wide organization, so successful? The answer is YOU!
As a volunteer organization we depend on our volunteer members and our sponsors to keep this amazing organization running like a well-oiled machine.
The phrase “It takes a Village” really applies here!!
Here are somethings you can do to help:
- Invite a friend/colleague to join as a member
- Invite your company to become a yearly or local sponsor
- Sign-up to volunteer at National or local events
- Become a City Representative or join the local committee
- Have some knowledge to share? Reach out to host a virtual or in-person educational impact event.
- Sign-up to be a mentor or mentee or both!!
As we welcome 2024, do not hesitate to reach out to be more involved with this amazing organization.
Best Wishes:
Arleth Carbajal
acarbajal@pyramidns.com |
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WWLF Mentor / Mentee Program Written by Kelsey Trundle, WWLF Co-Director of Programs, CEO GTEC Talent
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The WWLF Mentorship Program matches industry veterans with mentees and provides an important foundation for mentees to learn more quickly about the industry, streamline their professional pursuits, provides education for specialized topics, and offers advice toward achieving work-life balance.
As a member of an ever-evolving industry, it is paramount to seek guidance and direction from those who offer experience and expertise. Having joined telecom 10+ years ago, I have been fortunate to witness the positive impact of the WWLF Mentorship program. The program offers a variety of advantages from comradery to professional growth. The program has doubled in size year over year and in 2023 we had over 19 participating companies. It is a privilege to support the WWLF Mentoring Program and watch our next generation of talent succeed.
Throughout the program, mentees and mentors work together in the following areas:
- Improving communication skills
- Gaining overall industry knowledge
- Identifying leadership styles and discussion of application across current and future responsibilities
- Alignment of continuing education and professional development goals
- Building a professional network
The success of our programming relies on both motivated, eager mentees and strong, supportive mentors.
Stay tuned for sign up information for our 2024 program! |
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Mentor / Mentee Pair Kristen Beyer, National Director - Business Development, Ascend Wireless Networks
Kylie Trundle, Area Sales Manager for NWS |
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Kylie: My experience with the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum's Mentorship Program has been nothing short of phenomenal! It is so important for women in our industry to have a space to come together, share ideas, champion each other, and help one another level-up. I have been in the mentorship program for 2 years and have been so grateful to have amazing mentors both times.
This year, my mentor Kristen Beyer, taught me the importance of showing up with your best foot forward, and she consistently led by example. She knows this industry so well and always created such a comfortable environment to talk ideas, sales strategy, and how to further build a network of both friends and colleagues. She gave me the space to ask any questions I needed to and we created not only a mentor/mentee dynamic but a great friendship. I look up to her in many ways!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such amazing women in this industry who are true leaders. This program really did facilitate so much growth both professional and personal for me this year and I cannot wait for next year!
Kristen: Mentorship is something I always knew I wanted to do from early on in my career. I have been blessed by several people throughout my years in the industry who have helped guide me on my path to success, and I knew I needed to repay that somehow. In this program, the mentor and the mentee have a similar purpose: to seek growth, and that's exactly why I applied! Knowing that I could share my 20 years of experience and observe the do’s and don’ts (especially at wireless events) with a woman much younger than me made me realize how much we could both learn from each other.
We currently have four generations working side-by-side in this crazy telecommunications world, and sometimes us “old-timers” think we know the right way of doing things. However, this gave us the opportunity to share experiences, talk through them, and determine if there is a better approach. Click to read the full article on the WWLF website |
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Mentor / Mentee Pair
Lauren Goff, Environmental Service Group Leader at Ramaker
Bailey Lively, PE, Civil Engineer & Project Manager, Kimley-Horn
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Bailey: I had a great experience in the mentorship program this year. Overall, I really enjoyed the format where the larger group of participants got together virtually each month to learn about a different professional development topic. These topics included vision board creation, book reviews on “Leadership and Life Hacks”, tips for gaining and maintaining financial independence, lessons in personal and professional branding, networking strategies, avoiding burnout, and identifying / exploring our DISC personality test results. This wide variety kept the program engaging and encouraged people to speak up. Each mentor pairing had the opportunity to practice presentation skills in a comfortable, supportive environment which facilitated amazing discussions amongst participants as well.
My specific pairing with Lauren Goff, Environmental Service Group Leader at Ramaker, provided me another meaningful relationship with a like-minded woman across the country. Forming these relationships is my favorite take away from WWLF as a whole and the mentorship program provides the arena to form closer bonds with the women involved. I met Lauren at the Southeast Wireless Summit while volunteering at the WWLF booth about a month before we learned we would be paired together. Her warm welcome and PMA (positive mental attitude) are contagious from the moment you meet her. The fact that we both have a technical background in commercial real estate projects both in and outside of telecom sparked great conversations. Click to read the full article on the WWLF website |
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WWLF Spotlight on the Northeast Region - Rossana Ferrante, Esq., WWLF Boston Rep, Market Director, New England, Network Building and Consulting
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How long have you been a City/Regional Rep for WWLF and what is your territory/region?
I started as the Boston Regional Representative in 2023. I am starting my second year.
Why did you join WWLF?
WWLF offers a unique opportunity for women to grow professionally in the telecommunications industry with an inclusive mindset towards both men and women. The focus on giving back, education and networking offers a great balance for its membership.
How has being a part of WWLF impacted you personally or professionally?
Being part of WWLF, specifically in this position, has offered me more of an appreciation for the effort it takes to run an organization of this size and the tremendous value it offers. Membership is only part of it- finding ways to promote engagement and help people capitalize on what WWLF has to offer is most critical.
Where did you get your start in the industry? What is your current role?
I started at Nextel Communications in 2000 as a site acquisition contractor. Later, Nextel hired me as an employee, and I grew into higher level positions, ultimately overseeing a 500+ site build plan. When Sprint acquired Nextel, I left telecom for 7 years. I took a position with Dunkin’ Brands and gained experience in franchising and corporate communications- returning to telecommunications in 2018. Today, I work for Network Building + Consulting as the Market Director for the New England Market, where I oversee operations, culture, and financials. I work with a variety of clients across various sectors: wireless, fiber, EV, and utility. And I love it! Click to read the full article on the WWLF website |
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WWLF Northeast Members Give Back! |
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In 2023, WWLF members hosted many events that directly impacted their local communities. Below are two examples of some events held in the Boston area.
April 26th, 2023:
New England Volunteer Day at the People Helping People New England Food Pantry in Burlington, MA. The day involved volunteering in the garden, planting vegetables, watering and tending the soil. This garden produced over 3,000 pounds of vegetables last year to help supply the food pantry. |
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August 17th, 2023:
Networking Happy Hour and Dress for Success Donation Collection. Rossana orchestrated a networking event in Woburn, MA that collected fashion accessories for the local Dress for Success boutique. We learned that the biggest need was for jewelry, scarves and other accessories so that is what we collected! The event was held at Sam Walker’s American Tavern | 1 Rainin Road, Woburn, and provided an opportunity for networking as well as helping others. |
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Monthly Networking Event:
Motivation and Mugs |
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With all of the transition and new information in our industry, where can we turn our attention for guidance and encouragement? Join your fellow WWLF members for a morning motivation and the opportunity to connect while enjoying your beverage of choice.
Unless there is a holiday, we meet for Motivation and Mugs the first Monday of each month. You'll have the opportunity to introduce yourself and share in a discussion about the overlap of our industry, your professional journey, and any personal details you're comfortable sharing.
We look forward to seeing you on our next call! Registration closes the Friday prior to the meeting. |
Feb 5, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT) Zoom | Register |
Mar 4 2024 | 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT) Zoom | Register |
Apr 1 2024 | 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT) Zoom | Register |
May 6 2024 | 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT) Zoom | Register |
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Join WWLF for the Networking Event at DASpedia |
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Please register for DASPEDIA at www.eventbrite.com/e/788336675217/?discount=WWLF.
WWLF members will receive a $100 discount to the event with the code WWLF.
If you want to join us for the Networking Event, only, the cost will be $40.00. Otherwise, participants of the conference will get free admission.
See you there!! |
Feb 22 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Westin Irving: 400 W Las Colinas Blvd
Irving, TX 75039 |
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Join WWLF for our first virtual book read of 2024!
Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 6PM Central/7PM Eastern
(1.5 hour virtual discussion)
This is a Member Only Event. Meeting Link will be sent prior to the event
We will be reading and discussing "How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself" by Michelle King, PhD |
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"A unique and revelatory guide to understanding and navigating the unwritten rules of the workplace—the key to achieving success, finding meaning, and staying true to your authentic self in today’s business world— from the organizational expert and celebrated author of The Fix"
"In her decades researching organizations, Michelle King (PhD) has discovered that people who succeed possess a particularly unique skill: They know how workplaces work. More specifically, to get ahead, they do not rely on the often generic and outdated written formal rules that for a century have defined the workplace. Instead, they have learned to gauge how they should behave and perform by learning the informal (and unspoken) rules that exist just below the surface, rather than ‘formal’ organizational policies." |
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Thank you to our exclusive newsletter sponsor |
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Connect with WWLF
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WWLF is a proud affiliate of WIA
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Women's Wireless Leadership Forum C/O WIA
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 210 Arlington, VA 22201
© 2023 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. |
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