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Women in Fiber Committee

WIF Luncheon 2022

Fiber Broadband Association believes the world is a better place when women’s voices are heard. We believe companies are more successful when women are encouraged and rewarded to reach their full potential. We believe it is up to us to help identify, develop, and promote women in the Fiber Broadband industry as well as technology, telecommunications, construction and manufacturing. We pledge to use this forum to help women succeed in the Fiber Broadband industry.

Value Proposition

To the FBA and the Industry

  • Demonstrate the verifiable link between women in leadership and improved business performance. Identify our own potential leaders.
  • Represent women in fields where women are not often well-represented.
  • Highlight different career paths for women within fiber, telecommunications and technology.
  • Identify challenges particular to women in the workforce in these industries and possible solutions.

To The Member Companies and Individual Members

  • Networking: Provide opportunities for connections, networking, and building relationships with other women in fiber of all areas and experience.
  • Professional Development & Leadership: Deliver professional development and leadership opportunities. Emphasize pathways for success and advancement.
  • Workplace Education: Identify relevant everyday workplace issues for discussion and education. Learn to navigate challenges, varied situations, and problem solving. Find solutions.
  • Recognition: Create opportunities to recognize different career paths held by women in fiber. Highlight those who demonstrate dedication and hard work within the field, the leadership of industry veterans, the talent and potential of developing leaders, and the stories that inspire us.

 

Women in Fiber Committee Leadership, Subcommittees, and Meetings

The Women in Fiber Committee’s Chairperson is Alexa Edens, Senior Director of Cloud Service Providers at KGPCo, and the FBA Board Liaison is Katie Espeseth, Vice President of New Products at EPB.

The Committee has Co-Vice Chairs: Tamara Davis Brown, CEO and Co-Founder, Last Mile Broadband LLC; and Holly Ruser, Graybar, MSB Broadband Utility. Tamara and Holly support the Women in Fiber Committee Chairperson as well as liaise with the co-chairs of the five subcommittees. They are assisted by Orchestration Lead Priscila Paredes, Project Engineer, Union Telephone Company.

The Women in Fiber Committee meetings occur bi-monthly on the third Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern.

Committee members are invited to participate in the following subcommittees:

  • Association Partnerships
  • Events
  • Professional Development & Mentorship
  • Social Media & Marketing
  • STEM Promotion for Women & Girls

Each subcommittee has separate monthly meetings. More information will come from these subcommittees – stay tuned!

FBA member company employees and FBA Woman in Fiber members may join the Women in Fiber Committee. Individuals may participate in organized activities and/or general committee meetings, and there is no requirement to join a subcommittee in order to be a member of the overall Women in Fiber committee.

 

2023 Women in Fiber Spotlights

 

Women in Fiber Mentorship Program

FBA member company employees may participate in the Women in Fiber Mentorship Program. Mentors and mentees are accepted on a rolling basis. Please click here to sign up. Women in Fiber Committee members will follow up with you on the next steps.

 

Please contact Kim Rickard with any questions or to inquire about FBA membership status.

 

 

This page is dedicated to providing resources for women in order to advance their careers including lists of organizations that benefit women and their professional development as well as books and literature that empower women to take their careers and lives to another level.