Welcome to The WICT Network: Midwest! We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our members who have joined the board. Your commitment to being an integral part of our organization is commendable, and we are excited about the valuable contributions you will make to our mission.
At The WICT Network: Midwest, we believe that active involvement from our members is vital to the success of our non-profit organization. Serving on the board or volunteering for committees provides a unique opportunity to influence the direction of our initiatives, shape the future of the organization, and contribute to the growth of our vibrant community. Our board members play a crucial role in decision-making, strategic planning, and fostering collaboration among our members. Similarly, committee volunteers contribute their skills and expertise to specific projects, events, or focus areas, amplifying the impact of our collective efforts. This dedication to actively participating in the governance and operations of The WICT Network: Midwest ensures that we continue to thrive and create meaningful experiences for all our members. Together, we can achieve great things and make a lasting impact on the professional development of women in the cable and telecommunications industry. Welcome aboard!
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New to the Board
Emma Fox Vice President
Director of Product – Business, Properties & Media at Midco
I am most excited about the opportunity to help grow the community in the Twin Cities and learn from other women in the industry.
Regan Gremaud Director of Programming
Account Executive at Brooksource
The mission of the WICT Network: Midwest, resonates deeply with my aspirations. The commitment to empowering and advocating for women in a field where they are underrepresented speaks directly to me. I am drawn to the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and foster a supportive community where women thrive and lead.
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Patti Hawkey Programming Chair – North
Director of Human Resources at Midco
I am most looking forward to the connections that I will make with other incredible women in our industry, along with strengthening my connections with the women of Midco!
Mari Merchant Marketing Technology Chair
Instructional Designer at Midco
Since joining WICT, I’ve been able to create valuable connections with others in the industry, attend development sessions, and participate in local, member-only events. The community has been a valuable resource in my professional development and I’m excited to play a larger role on the board of such an amazing organization.
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Brenda Tinnemeyer Membership chair – South
Program Manager, Enterprise Systems Operations at Spectrum Enterprise
I was motivated to join the WICT Network board by a deep-seated belief in fostering diversity and inclusion within the cable and technology industry, specifically for women. Witnessing the transformative power of collaborative networks, I am committed to leveraging my skills and experience to contribute to WICTs mission. The organization’s dedication to empowering women, promoting leadership, and driving innovation aligns seamlessly with my personal values. I am excited for the opportunity to be part of a dynamic community working towards positive change for women in our industry and hope to promote the network and instill these important conversations for the upcoming generation.
Deejay Tolbert Programming Chair South
Lead Enterprise Sales Operations Specialist at Spectrum Enterprise
I was awarded a great Mentor through the mentor program offered by WICT, where we frequently discuss self-growth and development. I often expressed my passion for wanting to network and be around like-minded individuals, where purposeful conversations happen, and we started to discuss the various avenues available to take to make this happen. As I sit as programming chair for another organization, she encouraged me to apply to the Midwest board for WICT so I can continue making professional connections and reaching personal and professional goals.
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Chlorissa Scott Finance Chair
Sr. Manager Finance – Management Reporting & Analysis at Charter
I am a strong advocate for supporting Diversity and Inclusion as well as the career advancement of Women. The WICT organization provides a tremendous support and networking system to promote both while fostering women leaders with professional development and growth opportunities. As someone who has been a WICT member for several years and had taken advantage of the WICT program offerings, I have been inspired and continue to be inspired by WICT Leadership, WICT members and featured guest. I wanted to enhance my engagement in the WICT organization, continue working with a diverse array of women leaders while hoping to inspire and motivate others as the WICT organization has done for me.
Rebecca Bishop Ambassador
Sr. Manager, Network Operations Center at Charter
I joined WICT when I very early in my career as a curiosity into what it could do to help me into developing into a leader that I wanted to be. Over the years, I have attended many functions, networking events, and leadership development opportunities. In 2022, I attended the Executive Leadership Development series in San Diego and was in awe of all the ladies who were there participating. I wanted to join the WICT Network: Midwest board as I am passionate about WICT and all of its many opportunities for leadership and career growth. I also am excited for the opportunity to be part of such a great network of women. I hope to utilize my knowledge and experience to continue building and expanding on what is a great opportunity for women in the cable/telecommunications industry.
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
What is the value of volunteering as a board member for The WICT Network: Midwest?
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.
Advice for member engagement:
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.
Name: Sydney Smith Title: Market Intelligence Manager Company: Charter Communications Role with The WICT Network: Midwest: Vice President
What is the value of volunteering as a board member for The WICT Network: Midwest?
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.
Advice for member engagement:
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
What is your professional passion?
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!
What do you value most about your membership in The WICT Network?
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.
What have you gained from the experiences and/or relationships within The WICT Network?
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
What is the value of volunteering as a board member for The WICT Network: Midwest?
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.
Advice for member engagement:
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.
Name: Chasity Shahi Title: Sr. Mgr Enterprise Operations Support – Process Engineering Company: Charter Communications
What is your professional passion?
Helping others grow and become successful in their roles.
What do you value most about your WICT Network Membership?
I love the WICT Network events that bring women together for networking and celebrating achievements.
What have you learned from serving on The WICT Network – Midwest Membership Committee?
A proactive outreach to renew existing members, and spreading the word to your coworkers for new member enrollment is essential to keeping the WICT Midwest Chapter growing and flourishing. The WICT Network is a wonderful program that provides its members with all kinds of resources for learning, development, and networking.
Tell us a little about yourself. Family, Hobbies, Favorite Vacation spot, etc.
I’m married to my college sweetheart, Prakash. We have two children: Priya, 16, and Cruz, 14. We enjoy traveling to new countries and experiencing different cultures. My most memorable vacation was the first time I travelled to a jungle resort in Nepal in 2002. I had “hands-on” playtime with an energetic, nine-day-old baby elephant while its mother calmly observed nearby.