Amber Schwiesow, The WICT Network: Midwest President, welcomes you to an exciting new year with our chapter. Her goals for 2023 are to have an impact and create connections in our chapter. No matter where you’re located in our region there is something for you and a way you can feel connected and impact can be created in your career and in your life from being a member of The WICT Network: Midwest.
The WICT Network: Midwest unveiled its 2023 programming plans on February 23, 2023. Members and non-members joined us in-person in St. Louis and virtually in our North region. Amber Schwiesow, President, welcomed guests to an exciting year for The WICT Network: Midwest. In-person, virtual and hybrid programming is planned for every quarter of the year, giving our members many opportunities to get involved in the chapter.
The event was sponsored by Apex Systems. Representatives from Apex shared professional development opportunities they offer. Please take a few minutes to check out their offerings:
We’re asking members for their feedback on programming. Please take a moment to let us know what you would like to see.
We have many opportunities to get more involved in the planning and execution of our events. If you are interested in helping, check out the opportunities available.
Chasity Shahi, Director of Membership, reminded attendees to renew their membership for 2023 and to spread the word about The WICT Network: Midwest to your colleagues. In addition to our chapter programming, members can access live and recorded programming from our parent organization, The WICT Network, as well as other chapters’ live programming.
There is a requirement this year to reset your password on wict.org when renewing.
Charter Communications – New and Renewing Members
Comcast – New and Renewing Members
All Other Companies – New and Renewing Members
If you have questions, please connect with our membership team.
The WICT Network: Midwest currently has two leadership development program opportunities for members. Karen Zumwalt, Mentoring Chair, gave an overview of our mentorship program, a free, year-long program that pairs mentors and mentees within our chapter. Applications are currently open for both mentors and mentees. Applications are open through February 28.
Lisa Neuwirth, Immediate Past President, highlighted our Premier Management Development Series. The WICT Network: Midwest and Watermarq Consulting have collaborated to create an interactive, personalized development program that explores what it takes to be an effective and impactful leader and supports participants’ development through both learning sessions and peer-to-peer coaching groups. Applications are open through March 24.
Kristina Gustafson, Director of Programming shared upcoming programming planned by quarter. We’re meeting members in a variety of ways – in-person, hybrid and virtual – to ensure all members have opportunities to get involved. There is also an increased focus on in-person parity for programming available for members in the Northern part of our Midwest region. Keep up-to-date on programming on our events calendar, through social media and by reading our weekly emails.
We’ve added the event deck, if you would like to view more information about the topics covered.
Current members of The WICT Network: Midwest are eligible to be entered in our quarterly referral drawing. It’s easy to get entered:
Drawings will be held quarterly in 2023. The gift card will be emailed to the email address the winner used to enroll in The WICT Network. You will receive an entry for each referral and are not excluded from future drawings if you win. The WICT Network: Midwest board members are not eligible to enter the drawing.
Send your colleague a link to register today – and don’t forget to ask them to add your name to the referral!
Charter Communications – New and Renewing Members
Comcast – New and Renewing Members
All Other Companies – New and Renewing Members
Have questions? We have answers. Connect with our membership team.
The WICT Network: Midwest is offering a Speakership Fundamentals program in partnership with the Master Speaker Lab. Members will have the opportunity to revive you’re their confidence in public speaking basics, while sharpening skills in body language literacy, speaking anxiety management— and efficient presentation strategies.
To apply for The WICT Network: Midwest Speakership Fundamentals program, please complete the following application. Participants must obtain approval from their manager to attend the program. There is an acknowledgement on the application that indicates manager approval. Announcement of applicant approvals will be sent the week of January 16th. The WICT Network Speakership Fundamentals program fee is due upon the applicants’ acknowledgement of acceptance into the program.
Name: Kristina Gustafson
Title: Senior Director of Portfolio Management for Agent Tools, Charter Communications
Company: Charter Communications
Role with The WICT Network: Midwest: Director of Membership
I enjoy having a direct influence on the WICT Network Midwest member experience as a member of the Board of Directors. The Board is made up of energetic volunteers that are passionate about the development of future women leaders in our industry. I have enjoyed the friendships we’ve made and seeing the results of our hard work in planning successful events, and receiving feedback on how the WICT Network has made a lasting impression on its members.
Check out the events calendar on the WICT Network Midwest website wictmw.org, join the LinkedIn group, and set a monthly reminder to check the global organization website, wict.org, for advice and opportunities available to the full membership community.
The WICT Network: Midwest is thrilled to welcome new and returning board members for the new term starting in 2023. These women are successful leaders within their current organizations and we look forward to them sharing their talents with The WICT Network.
Board Position: President
Title: VP of Procurement & Supply Chain at Midco
Amber previously served on the board as the Tech it Out Chair.
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“I was on the board for two pandemic years. It was a really weird time. We had to figure out how to do everything virtually, and while I feel like we did the best we could, connection was hard and so was impact. When thinking about what excites me about this term on the board, I have three words that are resonating with me: Connection, Action and Impact. I am excited to connect with global and chapter leaders, I am excited to put plans in place and take action with the team and I am excited to be on a board that can create impact for the women in our industry.”
Board Position: Director of Board Operations
Title: Senior Manager, Engineering @ Charter Communications
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“I am most excited about collaborating with other board members and recruiting new members to ensure that WICT continues to offer premiere programs that inspire and support the contributions and strengths of women in our industry.”
Board Position: Director of Membership
Title: Sr. Mgr Enterprise Operations Support – Process Engineering at Charter Communications
Chasity is currently service on the board as Communications Chair and will be changing to the position of Director of Membership in 2023.
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“I’m most excited about spreading the word about all the great programming and events that The WICT Network Midwest offers to encourage and excite new members to join, and existing members to renew. The membership growth can be accomplished with a close partnership with the Programming, and MarComs teams.”
Board Position: Director of Programming
Title: Sr Director of Portfolio Management for Agent Tools at Charter Communications
Kristina is currently service on the board as Director of Membership and will be changing to the position of Director of Programming in 2023.
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“In the upcoming term on the board, I’m most excited about reenergizing the membership community with fresh and relevant programming and offering some in-person networking opportunities.”
Board Position: Programming Chair – North
Title: Senior CX Operations Manager at Midco
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“I am most excited to connect and collaborate with other WICT members and board members.”
Board Position: Programming Chair – South
Title: Network Operations Analyst III at Charter Communications
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“After many webinars, an opportunity to attend the leadership conference a few years ago and now participating in the WICT Midwest PMDS program, I realize WICT has so many great programs. I believe my involvement on the board will help stretch my leadership skills and give me confidence to take on new challenges. I have a passion for helping others learn, grow and be successful. As Programming Chair I am looking forward to building lifelong colleagues and friends in an environment where I can grow, learn and excel. I also look forward to assisting the director in planning 2023 and 2024 events.”
Board Position: Communications Chair
Title: Senior Manager, Human Resources at Comcast
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“Uniting with a group of inspiring women to combine our superpowers and make waves in the telecom industry!”
Board Position: Social Media Chair
Title: Operations Training Program Manager – Business at Midco
Anna is returning to her role as Social Media Chair.
What are you most excited about for this upcoming term on the board?
“We gained a lot of momentum and rallied excitement about The WICT Network: Midwest on social media this year – new social initiatives, innovative promotions, and live posting from our signature events. I am most excited to continue to grow our social presence in these ways and more, especially with the talented Marketing and Communications Team as well as our new Board members.”
Board Position: Outreach Chair
Title: Training Coordinator at Midco
Lisa is returning to her role as Outreach Chair.
Board Position: Spirit of the Midwest Awards Chair
Title: National Account Manager at Diversant
Debra is currently serving on the board as an Ambassador and will be changing to the position of Spirit of the Midwest Awards chair in 2023.
Name: Sydney Smith
Title: Market Intelligence Manager
Company: Charter Communications
Role with The WICT Network: Midwest: Vice President
The WICT Network and more specifically the Midwest Chapter has given me the opportunity to hone in on my leadership skills and really develop my voice as a leader. I am currently the Vice President of our chapter which means I have also had the opportunity to network with a variety of women and men at various levels of experience and title within the cable and telecommunications industry. This would not have been possible if I did not join The WICT Network.
What you put into your membership is what you will get out of it. If you have a talent or a passion you are looking to display, there are always opportunities within our membership and Board to exemplify those talents and passions.
Name: Noelle Tieszen
Title: Senior CX Operations Manager
Company: Midco
Role with The WICT Network Midwest: Member, PMDS participant
If you’re familiar with the Myer-Briggs 16 Personality Types, I’m an INFJ through and through! I am passionate about people— their backgrounds, their stories, their motivations, their goals, their needs. Digging in to help people understand their what, their why and their how— that’s my jam!
Through my membership with The WICT Network, I value the connections I’ve made with other Midco women— especially the ones I don’t regularly work with.
Since joining The WICT Network a few years ago, I have attended several events like Tech It Out and Spirit of the Midwest. I also participated in the Premier Management Development Series in St. Louis. Each experience has allowed me to learn more about leadership and the media, entertainment and technology industries while also networking with inspiring women leaders.
Name: Edo Branch
Title: Continual Service Improvement Analyst
Company: Charter Communications
Role with The WICT Network: Midwest: Tech it Out Chair
The value of volunteering as a WICT Board Member is having the ability to share the gifts and expertise that I normally do not share in my regular work. I have been a member of a sorority for the past 26 years, and one of the things that I valued the most is understanding not what the organization can do for me, but what I can do for the organization. This is a value that I carry as a Board Member within WICTMW as I share my gifts and expertise. I have a multitude of skills and talents, and while just sharing (one) and being an integral part of the vessel that contributes to the greater good that WICT provides, is rewarding.
Support, acknowledge, reward and network. The old saying goes, “There is no “i” in team.” No single person can be WICT alone, but a group of women with a common interest and goals of progression can move the world. WICT would not be where it is today, without its members. Supporting members, acknowledging members, rewarding members, and being a network that stretches very far, is the glue for engagement.
Get ready for an exciting Tech It Out event with inspiring speakers and networking opportunities. Don’t miss expert speakers on topics including technology awareness, understanding challenges, using technology tools, productivity and government updates.
When: Thursday, September 15
Time: 12:30pm – 4:30pm CDT
Where: In-person and live streaming options
Registration
Emily Hemingway transforms communities through entrepreneurship and innovation. With over 15 years experience, she is committed to fostering equitable economic opportunity across America by empowering regions through data-driven strategic planning, public-private partnerships, and leading-edge community advancement practices.
Having worked her way from coast to coast, Emily is an economic development powerhouse, award-winning event producer, business accelerator director, public relations specialist, and nationally recognized thought leader in entrepreneurial ecosystem design. A 6x tech founder, Emily currently serves as the Founding Executive Director of TechSTL, the first Tech Council of Greater St Louis.
Dr. Brian Gant is the leading Cybersecurity Assistant Professor at Maryville University where he began his educational studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems from Maryville University, a Master’s in Management, from Fontbonne University, a Master’s in Human Services from Capella University, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, from Maryville University. His dissertation focused on “Cyberbullying in eSports: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach to Examining Student-Athlete and Administrator Perceptions.”
Dr. Gant has accumulated over 15 years in law enforcement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, addressing cyber, domestic terrorism, and public corruption. Dr. Gant also joined the ranks of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as a Special Agent working on domestic and international assignments, including the protection of Former President Barack Obama and Bill Clinton as well as critical systems protection, and electronic/cyber-crimes.
Dr. Gant accepted an appointment to become a full-time Assistant Professor in 2020 at the Simon School of Business, Maryville University where he currently serves as Program Director for the undergraduate program. He is the father to his son (Tyler) and daughter (Dawson) who resides in St. Louis, Missouri with him.
Lee Friedman has spent over two decades working at the intersection of legislative advocacy, public policy development, political campaign management and strategic communications.
As a Vice President and Deputy Chief of Government Relations at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, he has provided strategic advice on legislative tactics and messaging to Fortune 500 companies while helping them to accomplish their legislative goals.
In his 13 years at NCTA Lee has worked on policy issues as diverse as telecommunications, data security, privacy, tax, cybersecurity, education and financial regulatory reform, that impacted NCTA’s member companies at the federal, state and local level. As the lead Democrat lobbyist, he has a special focus on House Energy & Commerce and moderate members of the Caucus.
Lee has also managed relationships with key center-left third-party organizations and helped managed coalitions focused on tax and privacy issues.
Prior to his time at NCTA, Lee served as the National Political Director for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. During his six years with Leader Hoyer, Democrats grew their caucus by 51 seats and Hoyer rose from Whip to Leader. Prior to his time with Leader Hoyer, Lee managed political campaigns in Maryland. Lee is a graduate of Dickinson College. He resides in Washington, DC with his wife and three children.
Jeannie Thurston is responsible for linking the company’s innovations, products and services to create brand awareness for Midco. She leads and guides teams executing integrated communications, marketing, digital and social impact strategies with a customer-centric approach to drive demand and loyalty for all business units and the company.
With almost 20 years of experience at Midco, Jeannie has worked in inbound sales, telecom support and creative services. She exemplifies Midco’s commitment to community having served as a volunteer coach for Embe’s Girls on the Run program and Big Sioux girls volleyball teams. Jeannie is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Sioux Falls and Women in Cable Telecommunications Rising Leader programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in business from South Dakota State University.
Charlotte leads six verticals and has responsibility for operations in the following areas: Service Delivery, Cloud Infrastructure and Operations, Operations Support Systems, Network Security, Operational Intelligence and APO Support and Implementation Centers across Charter.
Prior to her current position, Charlotte Field was the Senior Vice President – Infrastructure and Operations, National Engineering and Technical Operations at Comcast. Charlotte led a combined organization responsible for supporting the Comcast national infrastructure and operations for both the Enterprise and Customer Facing Networks/Products. Prior to the AT&T Broadband merger with Comcast, Charlotte was Senior Vice President for Technical and Network Operations Organization for AT&T Broadband. Charlotte previously held numerous technical and managerial assignments in AT&T Bell Laboratories, AT&T Long Lines and AT&T Communications. Her assignments included positions in engineering, operations, and systems development.
Charlotte graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. She received her Masters of Business Administration degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a focus in Finance. She is also a graduate of executive programs from INSEAD and Harvard Business School.
Charlotte is a member of Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Delta Mu Delta honor societies. She is an active member of the Michigan Technological University Presidential Council of Alumnae and also participated previously on the Michigan Technological University Engineering Advisory Board and the University of Colorado Engineering Advisory Board and ATLAS Board.. She is a member of Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT) and the Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE). In 2004, she was recognized by the Rocky Mountain WICT as a Walk of Fame Inductee. In 2005, she received the Women in Technology National Award and she was named a Wonder Woman by Multi-Channel News in 2008. In 2008, Charlotte was also named to the SCTE Board of Directors for a two-year term. Charlotte has been honored as a top woman in Technology by CableFAX multiple times. In 2010, Charlotte was named to the FCC Technical Advisory Council representing Comcast and the industry. She was also a member of the FCC CSRIC VI and was Chair of CSRIC VII.