September 11, 2023
in Leadership Conference

We are thrilled to announce the two exceptional individuals who have been awarded scholarships to attend The WICT Network Leadership Conference: Co-Create the Future! These outstanding members have demonstrated dedication, innovation, and a profound commitment to their respective fields, making them the perfect additions to the conference. Let’s meet the scholarship winners and learn more about them and their hopes for this year’s leadership conference.

Victoria Bizzotto

Victoria is a Senior Human Resources Manager at Comcast, supporting Business Development and Product and Marketing teams. As an accomplished and dedicated HR leader with over 15 years of experience, she brings an inquisitive, collaborative, and strategic approach to solving complex, multi-faceted business challenges with a people-orientated mindset. Peers and business partners will share that her gifts include: change management, excellent follow-through, intuition, courage, ability to drive initiatives and results forward, proactive thinking, high collaboration, and an authentic curiosity to understand the business. Disarming people by always smiling, being prepared, and genuinely listening for needs above her own, she connects with and influence both the easy going and most challenging personalities.

Are there any specific sessions you are looking forward to, and why?

As a recovering busybody, I am intrigued by the session “The Anxious Achiever: Using Anxiety as a Tool for Growth”. As a society we often label anxiety as a disability that withholds people from accomplishment, yet it can be used for “good” too! I’m always excited to take new tips I learn and spread the knowledge to colleagues and friends.

What role do you see conferences like this one playing in your ongoing professional development?

One of my favorite quotes of all-time was shared by Arnold H. Glascow: “Success is not spontaneous combustion; you must set your self on fire”. Conferences such as WICT Leadership are the ignition to achievement, the inspirational speakers and attendees are oxygen to stoke the fire. It’s energizing to grasp new concepts, best practices, and create long-lasting mentorships and connections that fuel growth. I’m grateful for this opportunity!

Anna Knobeloch

Anna is Senior Manager, ERP Business Readiness at Charter Communications. She has experience across several aspects of ERP and CRM systems, including system and data analysis, product ownership, and change management. She loves problem solving and building bridges between the business and IT worlds. Anna is a lifelong learner and, much like Johnny 5 in the classic 1986 film Short Circuit, can often be heard declaring a need for more input. She hopes to one day inspire you to get excited about the boring details.

Are there any specific sessions you are looking forward to, and why?

I am definitely looking forward to Navigating the Promises and Pitfalls of AI. Artificial intelligence is currently at the forefront of conversations across technology and many other fields. These discussions vary greatly about its potential for big advancements in industry and the possible dangers we face from it as a society. I can’t wait to hear the perspectives of industry leaders and AI experts on the ups, downs, and nuances of artificial intelligence.

From a professional development perspective, I am also excited to participate in the Owning Your Career Roundtables and having a one-on-one executive coaching session. It is always a great motivator to hear the experiences and advice of successful women and to be able to apply new insights and information to work on the advancement of my own career.

What role do you see conferences like this one playing in your ongoing professional development?

I am hoping to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible! I am ready to meet and get to know like-minded women from across the industry while attending as many sessions and networking events as I can get into.

The WICT Network’s 2023 Leadership Conference

This year’s theme, Co-Create the Future, focuses on leading in a modern workforce governed by artificial intelligence and a heightened culture of accountability. It will be held in New York City September 18 and 19, 2023.

How to Engage Without Attending

  1. Follow The WICT Network: Midwest on our social accounts – our scholarship winners will be posting about their experience during the event.
  2. Register for our post-conference roundtable to glean insights from members of The WICT Network: Midwest who attended the conference.
May 23, 2023
in Leadership Conference

The WICT Network: Midwest is proud to offer scholarships to WICT Global programs, including scholarships to the The WICT Network Leadership Conference. We invite eligible members to submit applications for this conference by June 30, 2023. Applicants should complete the application below. Applications will be randomly drawn by the Board. Applicants will be notified of the results of the scholarship recipient selection by July 7, 2023.

Event Details

Location: New York City

Dates: September 18 – September 19, 2023

Program Summary

The WICT Network Leadership Conference is the renowned leadership development event for the cable industry. Through inspiring keynote speakers and innovative workshops covering a variety of topics, as well as connecting with industry colleagues, attendees will be immersed in leadership activities that will help to impact their bottom line.

This year’s theme, Co-Create the Future, will build on collaboration and inclusion as we move into a new era of leadership governed by artificial intelligence and a heightened focus on performance.

In addition to conference speakers, who encompass a diverse array of industry professionals, business experts and academic thought leaders — will address cutting edge innovations in strategy, human capital, productivity, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), and what it means to be a great leader, the program will feature a robust lineup:

 

Learn more information on this year’s conference.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant is a female with primary membership in The WICT Network: Midwest
  • Applicant is in a role serving the cable telecommunications industry
  • Applicant has manager’s approval to participate in the program
  • Applicant has not received a scholarship from The WICT Network: Midwest in the prior two calendar years
  • Applicant agrees to volunteer for at least one The WICT Network: Midwest event within the next 12 months, which may include in person or remote committee planning
  • Applicant will write an article and share quotes on their experience for use by The WICT Network: Midwest on the website/newsletter/social media, etc.

Scholarship Coverage

  • Registration fee: $1,895
  • Travel including flight and hotel
May 17, 2023
in Leadership Development

One of the benefits of your membership with The WICT Network is access to chapter events across the nation. We’re pleased to share an opportunity presented by The WICT Network: Rocky Mountain: a four-part series that will help you explore your perspective on empowerment.

Series: Perspective Empowerment: Insight from the Enneagram Workshop

Facilitated by Calley Welborn each Wednesday in June from 2:00PM to 3:00PM (CT)

    • June 7
    • June 14
    • June 21
    • June 28

Series Description:

How do you see? How much easier would life be if people in your life could see things the same way you do?!

Although you may believe that everyone seeing things from your particular viewpoint could make life much easier, what might you miss? Your unique perspective is vitally important and absolutely necessary, but it’s still only a small part of the expansive wholeness available to us when we acknowledge, value, and integrate the diversity of perspective that inherently exists in our relationships, work teams, organizations, communities, and beyond!

Join us for this sequential four-part workshop series and become empowered to see and experience life fully!

Using foundational Enneagram wisdom as our guide, we will explore:

 

    1. The distinctly different ways each of us sees the world, encounters others, and moves through life

    2. How to thrive by intentionally choosing how you show up and respond to life

    3. Your power to cultivate compassion (for yourself and others), deepen authentic connection (with yourself and others), improve true belonging (for yourself and others), and experience healing transformation when you engage with life from a balanced, inclusive, comprehensive perspective.

 

About Calley:

 

Calley Welborn is a seeker, student, teacher, and guide who believes each person is purposefully created and implicitly loved. Practical application of Enneagram wisdom has allowed her to personally experience this truth, and to continually witness how we individually and collectively become whole when we recognize and embrace each of our unique perspectives. The freedom available from this transformational wholeness is what inspires her to share the Enneagram!

As founder of Undercurrent Enneagram Consulting LLC, Calley journeys alongside others on their adventures of self-discovery so they can emerge beyond the surface and thrive! Combining foundational Enneagram wisdom with extensive consulting experience in corporate, non-profit, and international mission environments equips Calley with a unique approach to support the specific needs and goals of individuals and organizations, while simultaneously empowering them to cultivate compassion, deepen authentic connection, increase true belonging, and experience healing transformation.

Calley lives in Westminster, CO and adventures through life with her partner and amazing 4-year-old son – traveling, looking through a camera lens, listening to inspiring podcasts, and enjoying nature whenever possible!

 

 

February 22, 2023
in Leadership Development

Anna Jankord was new to Midco and to the telecommunications industry when her leader encouraged her to join The WICT Network: Midwest. They also supported her in her decision to enroll in the Premier Management Development Series (PMDS), an annual program that is tailored to meet the needs of both emerging leaders with limited people management experience as well as more tenured seasoned leaders.

“I needed a boost of confidence in my leadership abilities and PMDS helped me find it!” says Jankord, Operations Training Program Manager at Midco. 

Since its inception in 2018, PMDS has helped 115 members of The WICT Network: Midwest improve their leadership and communication skills. Originally, the program was in-person, but had to transform to exclusively virtual at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we miss the personal connections from face-to-face interactions, the current virtual format allows for members from our entire footprint to participate and expand their personal network. It also lowers the overall investment for companies considering travel is no longer needed,” says Lisa Neuwirth, Immediate Past-President of The WICT Network: Midwest and coordinator for the program.

The change to a virtual format has allowed PMDS graduates to expand their network beyond their localized network. “I made lasting friendships with incredible women from across the region,” says Jankord.

The WICT Network: Midwest partners with Watermarq Consulting to guide our participants to build a stronger leadership skill set and improve self-awareness.

“I was beyond impressed with the quality of the PMDS program. Hilary and Todd are knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. The topics covered were well-organized, thorough, relevant, and delivered in a way that was enjoyable and interactive,” says Noelle Tieszen, Senior CX Operations Manager at Midco.

The program consists of an initial one-on-one meeting with Watermarq, followed by nine 2.5 hour learning and development sessions over a six month time-frame.

“The program supports participants wherever they may be on their leadership journey. After going through the program, I enrolled my entire team of leaders to attend the following program—an investment that was well worth it!” says Tieszen.

Applications for the 2023 Premier Management Development Series are open now through March 24, 2023. Learn more about the program and apply today!