Top 10: Telco Influencers
The word ‘influencer’ has become synonymous with ‘selfie’ and ‘exposure’, but these industry influencers are leading the sector by example - supporting large-scale teams, championing 5G development and fostering an inclusive environment within the telecommunications industry. In this list, we celebrate our Top 10 Telco Influencers, individuals who demonstrate a diverse range of skills essential for driving innovation and leadership in the telecommunications industry.
10. Sylvia Lu
Company: UKTIN
Revenue: US$25m
Employees: 400
CEO: Ian Smith
Founded: 2018
Sylvia Lu is a Chartered Engineer and Non-Executive Director with more than 15 years of experience in the Telecom industry.
Sylvia serves on a number of boards: she is an elected board director of CW (Cambridge Wireless) and serves on the Advisory Board of UKTIN, which offers independent advice on the telecoms sector. Sylvia also serves on the Board of 5G-ACIA (5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation) and advises stakeholders in 5G development and deployment.
9. Ángel Alves
Company: Telefónica
Revenue: €40m / US$43m
Employees: 104,000
CEO: José María Álvarez-Pallete López
Founded: 1924
Based in Madrid, Spain, Ángel Alves is a specialist in telecoms project management. He has worked at Telefónica for 14 years, first joining as a Radio Access Network Engineer, then progressing to Technology Consultant in 2013, where his work was focused on business process transformation. Finally he became Innovation Project Manager in 2015. Ángel has worked on a range of projects, including the first 5G international video call between Málaga and London and the first 5G e-sports match (shown at MWC 2019).
8. Kelvin Kong
Company: Lightstorm
Revenue: US$51m
Employees: 500
CEO: Amajit Gupta
Founded: 2019
Kelvin Kong is the Group Chief People Officer at Lightstorm, where he is responsible for global human resources and culture, from Singapore. Lightstorm is a carrier-neutral telecom infrastructure platform, which provides connectivity infrastructures.
Kelvin has clocked up a range of diverse experiences over 20 years, from working at Apple, DHL Express, Unilever, Alibaba and more. Kelvin is a ‘change catalyst’ who demonstrates a good confluence of strong leadership, which he believes is a big dependency for any form of business or culture successes.
7. Aaron Kent
Company: Virgin Media O2 Business
Revenue: £2.7bn
Employees: 18,000
CEO: Lutz Schüler
Founded: 2021
Aaron Kent is Client Manager at Virgin Media O2 Business, where he executes consultative sales activity at C-Level with influential clients across the construction and utilities sectors, while also helping to connect, protect and empower workforces. Aaron was recognised as a Top 35 Performer for 2022, from clearly demonstrating his ability to tackle challenges and exceed expectations in the dynamic telecommunications market.
He has also worked as a Fellow on two US Congressional Campaigns.
6. Jamie Jefferies
Company: Ciena
Revenue: US$3bn
Employees: 8,400
CEO: Gary Smith
Founded: 1992
Jamie Jefferies holds two roles at Ciena, VP and GM of international business across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and parts of Asia, including India and Japan. His primary objective is to support Ciena’s customers with networking systems, services and software as they transform to be more agile and adaptive. He is passionate about supporting much-needed diversity in the telecoms industry through purposeful recruitment and giving a platform to diverse voices who will forge a path for others.
5. Rohin Bansal
Company: TELUS
Revenue: US$14bn
Employees: 108,500
CEO: Darren Entwistle
Founded: 1990
Rohin Bansal is the Director at TELUS, Canada’s most trusted telecom brand. Rohin leads his team in technology strategy, chairs the Enterprise Data Council and supports more than 500 data stewards, accelerating innovation and excellence. He was recognised as a “Top 40 Under 40” by Peak, for his dedication to integrating law with technology alongside responsible data use and data democratisation. Rohin also advises at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, where he mentors students and promotes diverse representation in technology.
4. Mischa Dohler
Company: Ericsson
Revenue: US$23bn
Employees: 100,000
CEO: Börje Ekholm
Founded: 1876
As the VP Emerging Technologies at Ericsson Inc. Mischa Dohler is based in Silicon Valley Mischa works across 5G/6G and Generative AI. He is a Fellow of the IEEE, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET); the AP Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA) and a Distinguished Member of Harvard Square Leaders Excellence.
In addition to this, he serves on the Spectrum Advisory Board of Ofcom, having previously served on the Technical Advisory Committee of the FCC.
3. Emily Webberley
Company: Vodafone
Revenue: US$47bn
Employees: 96,000
CEO: Margherita Della Valle
Founded: 1982
Emily Webberley is a people focused leader and Autism advocate. At Vodafone, she is the Senior Compliance Manager: Culture and Control, where she leads programmes for Compliance Culture across Vodafone worldwide, ranging from ethics programmes, ethics network, Code of Conduct and culture audits.
Emily has been a guest on multiple panels regarding neurodiversity and disabilities, as an advocate for equality in theory and in practice. In addition to this, she has experience in managing significant budgets, profitability management, capital management and accounting.
2. Edwige Robinson
Company: T-Mobile
Revenue: US$78bn
Employees: 10,000
CEO: Mike Sievert
Founded: 1999
From Cote d’ Ivoire, Edwige Robinson is one of the most influential voices and brands in 5G. She is recognised by Aleria Tech as an “Awesome Black Woman Everyone Should Know” and by 1 million STEM Women as a Visible Role Model who inspires the next generation of girls. As an innovator who unites engineering, technology and business, Edwige is the Senior Vice President of Network Engineering and Operations of the Central Region at T-Mobile, where she is responsible for 23 states with a P&L of $3B+, leading more than 5000 employees and contractors who design, build and maintain a 5G Network.
“It takes courage to be different and take the path less travelled, it takes courage to be successful,” Eddwige said, following the publication of her book ‘Believe It’s Possible’. “I invite all of us to continue to believe it’s possible to rise to higher grounds, no matter the challenges.”
1. Adriana Dawson
Company: Verizon
Revenue: US$134bn
Employees: 105,000
CEO: Shankar Arumugavelu
Founded: 1983
Adriana Dawson is the Community Engagement Director at Verizon, one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications and entertainment. The company offers voice, data and video services to both customers and big businesses, delivering on customer demand for mobility, as well as a reliable network connection and security.
Since joining Verizon, Adriana has helped the company to stay ahead of the pack in development as well as in future innovation. Over the course of her 20 career, she has grown deep multi-sector experiences and cultural fluency to help her accelerate business outcomes. While not a Jedi, Adriana fosters a JEDI culture - bringing Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into her work.
“I thrive at the intersections of social innovation and business/market development and partnerships,” she says. “I help co-create solutions, elevate voices and lift citizen design spaces that help inform corporate change-makers of unmet needs and business opportunities.”
******
Make sure you check out the latest edition of Mobile Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series - Tech & AI LIVE 2024
******
Mobile Magazine is a BizClik brand