In The December 2024 Issue: |
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Thank you to our Newsletter sponsor: |
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Looking Back and Looking Forward, Lynn Whitcher, WWLF President
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As we turn the page on another year, I reflect with gratitude on my two-year tenure as President of the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum. It's been an honor to work alongside our talented and dedicated City Representatives, Industry Relations Committee, Member Engagement Team, Regional and National Events Directors, and Board of Directors. My term of office coincided with some of the toughest economic years in our industry, but I will cherish the support and camaraderie we developed!
While there are too many wonderful memories that will stick with me, there are a few standout moments that I wanted to share.
In February 2023, the WIA Foundation launched the inaugural Wireless Women’s Leadership Luncheon, in Washington, D.C., celebrating of the outstanding contributions of women to the growth and development of the telecommunications industry. This event recognizes the members of Congress, FCC, and industry leadership that support development of the workforce needed to build America’s broadband networks. Trish Wildt and her team have been hard at work at next year’s program, so please mark your calendars for February 12, 2025 for what is shaping up to be another spectacular event.
The proceeds raised at this luncheon have allowed us to launch our Telecom Trailblazers program, an initiative that encourages STEM learning, teaches young women about digital infrastructure and inspires them to pursue careers in telecommunications. We do this through hands-on interactive activities, whether at their school or at field trip to a high-tech facility. As we look to the future, we aim to expand our program to offer even more opportunities, including internships and online learning modules.
For our young professionals, we expanded our mentorship programming to include monthly group projects where mentor pairs have the opportunity to give presentations sharing an area of expertise with each other. We are especially proud that each year, our program participants have created nationwide relationships across 20+ participating companies that are sure to last a lifetime. When these ladies walk into an industry conference or event, they have a network of established supporters to welcome them and cheer them on.
We launched an Intro to Telecom series covering basics like siting and regulatory approvals. If you missed our fireside chat, Demystifying C-Suite and Executive Leadership, with Kelly Lazuka, CEO of Fullerton and Member of the Board of Directors of WIA, I encourage you to check it out on our Education portal.
Our partnerships with corporate sponsors allowed us to collaborate in unique and impactful experiences in support of their internal Employee Resource Groups. We had a blast joining the ladies at American Tower for one of their WAATCH meetings, fostering friendship and celebrating our experiences in wireless. We celebrated International Women’s Day with SBA with speakers and teams joining in across the world. A particular highlight was working with Boldyn Networks on the Blades of Brilliance: Women as Secret Weapons, a VIP dinner for innovative women leaders in telecom. It’s truly inspiring to see these incredible companies championing and celebrating their talented women leaders.
With all of these cherished memories on my heart, it is with great enthusiasm that I note that we have entered election season for the Executive Leadership Team. WWLF members in active status as of December 1, 2024, will be eligible to vote for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. If your membership has lapsed now is the time to renew so that your voice can be heard! More information on the election can be found on our website and LinkedIn.
Happy Holidays! May this season bring you an abundance of joy, peace, and well-being.
-Lynn Whitcher
President, 2023-2024 |
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Serving the Next Generation of Leaders
by Beth Yglesias, Director of National Sales at Amentum, WWLF Co-Director of Brand Management
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Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum “WWLF” was thrilled to co-sponsor and participate in the Global System for Mobile Communications Association’s “GSMA” Tech4Girls workshops during Mobile World Congress Las Vegas. Sponsors included T-Mobile for Business and Verizon Business. This was the second year GSMA organized this successful initiative, which is dedicated to supporting, inspiring, and encouraging young women to pursue careers in the telecommunications sector. Tech4Girls is committed to fostering gender diversity and empowering the next generation of women leaders. Attendees included current students aged 18 and above from local schools, universities, and colleges.
The dynamic workshops took place over two days, October 9th, and 10th. Day one focused on an overview of the world of wireless telecommunications and exploration of various career paths within our industry. Sessions were led by current industry leaders and role models, including participation from GSMA and event sponsors. Click to continue to read the full article on the WWLF website. |
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Carrying a Heavy Load?
by Ashli Fuselier, WWLF Secretary |
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In honor of October 10, 2024 as World Mental Health Day, WWLF hosted their second annual “Carrying a Heavy Load” panel to discuss mental health and the distinct challenges and issues that face women as they navigate multiple roles. The panel featured Lynn Whitcher, Kim Montgomery, Lauren Glockner-Goff, and myself, Ashli Fuselier. WWLF was thrilled to have Mahnaz Kolaini, PsyD., LPC-S on the panel to bring professional guidance. Each WWLF panelist brought their personal stories and insights and touched on their version of a heavy load; such as being a caregiver, dealing with a health journey, navigating grief, and working through loneliness. The virtual audience attendees chimed in on how a book, feeling, or phrase touched their heart with their own “Heavy Load” journey. The openness and sharing created a supportive atmosphere of caring.
Click to continue to read the article on the WWLF website. |
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Giving Back and Growing Stronger
by Arleth Carbajal WWLF National Events Director / Program Manager at Pyramid Network Services
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Vote for the 2025/2026 Executive Leadership Team! |
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- Members in good standing as of December 1, 2024 are eligible to vote.
- Voting opens Monday, December 2, 2024.
- Voting closes Friday, December 20, 2024.
- Candidates will be notified of election results December 23-27, 2024.
- New ELT administration takes office January 6, 2025.
Eligible members will receive a ballot by email. |
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Play It Forward - Pittsburg December 10, 2024
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December 10, 2024 | 9:00-11:00 am (EST) | Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Join the WWLF Pittsburgh Chapter in spreading holiday cheer this December! We are excited to partner with Play It Forward, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families in need by collecting and distributing gently used toys during the holiday season. We have secured 20 volunteer spots for this event, where we’ll be helping to unload, sort, and organize toys to ensure they reach families who could use a little extra joy this season.
After our volunteer shift, we’ll head to a nearby restaurant for lunch and networking. Please note that lunch will be at each attendee's own expense.
Additional Event Information:
Parking: Parking is available at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center garage. Hourly rates apply, and carpooling is encouraged to save on costs. For those taking public transportation, the Convention Center is conveniently accessible by bus and light rail.
What to Wear: Comfortable, casual clothing is recommended, as we will be on our feet unloading, sorting, and organizing toys. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety. Feel free to wear festive holiday colors or accessories to get into the spirit!
Other Tips:
- Arrive a few minutes early to allow time for parking and check-in.
- Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during the volunteer shift.
- If you have any dietary restrictions for lunch, please let us know so we can recommend suitable nearby restaurants.
Let’s come together to make a difference while connecting with fellow professionals. We can’t wait to see you there!
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Holiday Networking Event December 17, 2024 |
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17 Dec 2024 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)
Boingo, 45 Rockefeller Plaza Suite 3120 New York, NY 10111
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WWLF SoFLA Holiday Gathering December 19, 2024 |
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WWLF South Florida is thrilled to invite all members to the 2024 End-of-Year Event at the iconic Chase Stadium, home of Inter Miami CF and soccer legend Lionel Messi, with MASTEC proudly sponsoring this unforgettable occasion!
The WWLF EOY event is a cornerstone for celebrating progress, forging connections, and championing causes that shape the future of our industry and we are grateful to MASTEC’s dedication and support in empowering diverse voices and ensuring that these efforts are amplified. This event will fill out fast, as there are capacity requirements.
19 Dec 2024, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (EST)
Chase Stadium, Home of Inter Miami CF
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Thank you to our event sponsor: |
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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
© 2024 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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