Celebrating Historic Firsts: Women Steer the Course of Telecom Standardization Organizations and Regulatory Bodies.

In a historically male-dominated telecommunication sector, a remarkable shift is underway. A silent revolution is sweeping the industry. A wave of inspiring women is stepping into leadership roles at the highest echelons of telecom standardization organizations and regulatory bodies. These women are not just reshaping the future of an industry vital to our connected world as leaders, they are also redefining the norms, rewriting the narrative, setting new standards, shattering glass ceilings, breaking through barriers that have held them back for years and leaving an indelible mark on an industry long overdue for change.

In this article, we shed light on the trailblazers who are making history as they lead telecom standardization organizations and regulatory bodies for the very first time. Their journeys, struggles, and triumphs are not only inspiring but serve as a testament to the power of diversity, inclusivity, innovation, and resilience in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Join us as we celebrate the stories of these remarkable visionary women and the impact they are making as they steer these organizations into uncharted territories.

1. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Doreen Bogdan-Martin made history by getting elected as Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in September 2022, and by becoming the first woman to head the 157-year-old organization, which was first established in 1865 and then became a UN specialized agency in 1947.

Bogdan-Martin has held leadership positions in the field of international telecommunications policy for over three decades, with a track-record of brokering innovative partnerships to expand digital inclusion and connectivity for everyone around the world.

As the Secretary-General of ITU (from Jan 2023 to present), she is working tirelessly to bridge the digital divide and also empower the underserved communities through telecom infrastructure. Her leadership at the ITU underscores the importance of telecommunications in achieving sustainable development. She is also promoting gender equality and encouraging more women to enter the workforce by helping women to grow professionally as well as contributing to networks of women pursuing gender-balanced participation in conferences and policy making.

She holds a Master's degree in International Communications Policy from American University in Washington DC, a post-graduate certification in Strategies for Leadership from the Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a certification in Accountability and Ethics from the UN Leaders Programme.

2. Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Jessica Rosenworcel made history by getting appointed as the first permanent Chairwoman of an 89-year-old US government agency Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in October 2021. She is a driving force behind policies that bridge the digital divide and promote innovation in the telecom sector.

As the Chairwoman of FCC (from Oct 2021 to present), Jessica believes that the future belongs to the connected. She works to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot at 21st century success. She believes strong communications markets can foster economic growth and security, enhance digital age opportunity, and enrich our civic life.

From fighting to protect net neutrality to ensuring access to the internet for students caught in the Homework Gap, Jessica has been a consistent champion for connecting all. She is a leader in spectrum policy, developing new ways to support wireless services from Wi-Fi to IoT. She is also responsible for developing new policies to help expand the reach of broadband to schools, libraries, hospitals, and households.

Jessica Rosenworcel holds a?Bachelor of Arts?degree in?Economics?and?English Literature from?Wesleyan University. She also studied law at?New York University School of Law, and graduated with a?Juris Doctor.

3. Pamela Kumar , Director General, Telecom Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI)

In February 2017, Pamela Kumar made history by getting appointed as the first woman Director General of Telecom Standards Development Society of India (TSDSI), which is an autonomous, membership-based, standards development organization(SDO) founded in November 2013.

Prior to TSDSI, Pamela Kumar has held leadership positions in telecom, computer and semiconductor industries for over three decades. She has spent the first 10 years of her career at AT&T, Bell Labs in USA and at C-DOT in Bangalore. Later, she held leadership positions in Texas Instruments, IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise. She also did a short stint setting up the R&D centers of Network Programs and Alliance Semiconductors.?

As the Director General of TSDSI (from Feb 2017 to July 2023), Pamela Kumar was passionate about mobilizing the technical experts in the country to develop and promote India-specific standards based on national priorities & requirements, and influencing the global standards, particularly at ITU, 3GPP and other forums. Under her leadership, TSDSI was successful in contributing to global standardization in the field of telecommunications, helping create manufacturing expertise in the country, and providing leadership to the developing countries in terms of their telecommunications-related standardization needs.

Pamela Kumar holds a Master's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India. She is also the alumna of IIM Bangalore’s Executive General Management Program.

4. Anita D?hler , Chief Executive Officer, NGMN Alliance

In July 2020, Anita D?hler was appointed as the first woman CEO of Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, which is a global industry group founded in March 2006 that focuses on the development of mobile telecommunications networks.

NGMN Alliance brings together leading telecommunications companies, network operators, technology vendors, consulting firms, research institutions/universities and other stakeholders to collaborate on the advancement of mobile network technologies, including 5G and beyond.

As the CEO of NGMN Alliance (from July 2020 to present), Anita is passionate about driving technology innovation for the benefit of human and societies.

Anita D?hler holds a Dipl.-Ing. degree in Telecommunication Engineering as well as an Executive MBA degree from Henley Business School.

These women are not only rising to leadership positions in a traditionally male-dominated sector, they are being catalysts for change. Their unique fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, commitment, vision and efforts are reshaping the landscape of telecom standardization and regulation, driving progress, and ensuring that telecom services are accessible, equitable and remain at the forefront of global connectivity.

As we celebrate these exceptional women, their accomplishments, and the pathways they've paved, let's remember that they are not just challenging the status quo or breaking barriers- they are leading the way toward a more inclusive, equitable, brilliantly diverse and dynamic future for telecom standardization and regulation by being role models for aspiring next generation of leaders, regardless of gender. Their unwavering commitment and expertise to excellence serve as an inspiration for the generations to come.

Their dedication to pushing boundaries and driving transformation reinforces the idea that the telecom industry is enriched and strengthened when diverse voices come together to shape its future.

These women leaders also remind us that the sky is not the limit; it's just the beginning of what can be achieved when talent knows no gender boundaries.

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(c) All Rights Reserved. Pavithra Nagaraj. 2023.