“Telecom touches every corner of our world — from cities to rural towns, and every place in between,” said Amy Jo Samuel, Chair of the WIA Foundation Board. “Through TATE, we have a powerful chance to turn that reach into a resource that can make a meaningful difference in the battle against human trafficking.”

Human trafficking is often an underreported crime, hidden in plain sight. Simple awareness and a willingness to report suspicious activity can make a significant difference. The TATE initiative equips telecom workers with the necessary information to recognize signs of human trafficking. It features a 30-minute free online training video called Recognize and Notify (RAN), which is designed to educate industry professionals on how to identify and report trafficking incidents.

“We are deeply grateful to the WIA Foundation for their generous support of our TATE program and our mission at 3Strands Global Foundation. This partnership represents more than just funding, it’s a powerful commitment to equipping the telecom industry to recognize and respond to human trafficking,” said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Founder of 3Strands Global Foundation.  “We believe prevention starts with awareness, and that we don’t get anywhere without collaboration. Together, we’re creating a safer future by raising awareness, training frontline workers, and ultimately disrupting exploitation.”

The training includes an introduction to the TATE initiative, lessons on recognizing human trafficking, and instructions on notifying the proper authorities. TATE is an initiative of the 3Strands Global Foundation, which mobilizes communities to combat human trafficking through prevention, education, and reintegration programs.

To participate in the free training or for additional information, access the portal at www.3sgf.org/tate.

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About the WIA Foundation

The WIA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing the wireless industry by encouraging and promoting education, research, and training programs. In addition to offering support for charitable organizations whose missions align with the needs of the wireless infrastructure industry, the WIA Foundation supports efforts to raise awareness about careers in the wireless and broadband industries and activities to enable a strong workforce necessary to achieve WIA’s mission of achieving connectivity everywhere. The Foundation’s board members govern the organization’s efforts and initiatives.

About 3Strands Global Foundation

3Strands Global Foundation is a non-profit organization working towards a world free from human trafficking. Through their PROTECT prevention education program, they have educated millions of students on how to stay safe from human trafficking and exploitation. Their Employ + Empower program has provided support and economic empowerment for over 1,000 survivors. Visit their website at 3SGF.org to learn more about their mission and how you can help.

For media inquiries please email media@wia.org

As the telecommunication industry evolves, there is a growing need for workers with specialized skills like network engineering, data science, cybersecurity and AI/machine learning. The WIA Foundation’s mission is to support efforts to raise awareness about careers in the wireless and broadband industries to build the wireless leaders of today and tomorrow. This includes support for more robust science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula in schools that offer opportunities for students to build skills and knowledge related to technology career paths.  

Through its efforts, the WIA Foundation supports programs like the Telecom Trailblazers, an initiative of the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum, which encourages learning, teaches young students about digital infrastructure, and inspires them to pursue careers in telecommunications.  

Chicago 

Recently, WWLF’s Telecom Trailblazers hosted 50 students from two Chicago high schools at the McCormick Place Convention Center in conjunction with WIA’s Connect (X) Conference. The group of young women attended engaging sessions on: 

LinkedIn Branding & Understanding Your Digital Footprint: Students learned how LinkedIn differs from social media platforms and the importance of building a professional profile. The importance of digital safety and digital footprint were also introduced. 

AI & Emerging Technologies: This module introduced how businesses are leveraging AI innovations. The evolving career landscape in AI and relevant skills to remain competitive in a STEM-driven workforce were also discussed. 

Networking 101: Expanding Your Professional Circle: Students started to learn about the importance of building authentic connections and how public speaking ties into networking. This interactive experience helped students craft and deliver their own elevator pitch. 

Public Speaking & Confidence Building: This session provided students with practical tools to boost self-confidence, manage nerves, and begin to master the art of public speaking. 

After each session, students participated in a short interactive exercise with presenters, industry leaders, and WWLF Board members. 

Washington, D.C. 

Earlier this year, a group of young women from D.C.-area high schools joined the Telecom Trailblazers on an IGNITE Worldwide field trip to the Verizon Technology and Policy Center to learn more about the telecom industry and its career paths from women who are currently leaders in the sector. Their day included insights from a panel of women who all started their careers in areas outside of telecommunications.  

Taylor Sierra started her career in education and now manages tower crews as a project manager at Next Link Fiber. Talisha Germain shifted from a career in fashion to the telecom industry, where she is the national program manager at RF Industries. Maria Alexandra Valles started her career as a diplomat and now is vice president of corporate affairs at SBA. Finally, Michele Cober’s career path includes time as an opera singer and an attorney to now leading strategic alliances at Verizon.  

The panelists provided a wide variety of advice to the young women in attendance who may be considering pursuing a career in telecom, including to be open to learning about different roles in the industry, actively networking, seeking mentorship and pursuing continuous learning.  

Telecommunications offers diverse career opportunities including engineering and beyond. Only 16.7% of engineers are women and about one-quarter of computing roles are held by women, the panelists noted. The panelists emphasized that successful career growth involves building strong relationships, remaining authentic, and being willing to learn and adapt continuously. 

The visiting scholars toured Verizon’s telecom and internet museum at the center, which allowed them to see a visual representation of radio frequency waves, peruse a wall of industry milestones dating back more than 40 years to 1983 when the first cellular towers were built, and even connect to the internet via a dial-up modem on a now-antique computer. The young attendees also got to experience a variety of telecom industry jobs, including climbing towers and installing equipment, via virtual reality headsets. 

The event closed with a fireside chat featuring FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and Kathy Grillo, SVP of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Verizon. The conversation focused on the evolving landscape of communications, technology, and policy. Commissioner Gomez shared insights on the role of the FCC in regulating critical communication technologies such as cell phones, broadcast television, satellite services, and GPS. She also shared how her path to the FCC was unplanned, sparked by a chance encounter with a mentor. Commissioner Gomez noted the importance of guiding the next generation, inspiring students to pursue careers in communications, and engaging with them in meaningful conversations about technology’s future. 

 Telecom Trailblazers plans to ramp up its offering of similar events for girls and young women across the country. To learn more and to get involved, visit https://www.wwlf.org/Telecom-Trailblazers 

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ARLINGTON, VA – Today, the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) Foundation announced U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) as recipients of its inaugural Wireless Leadership Awards.

Senator Capito and Congresswoman Fletcher received the awards during the annual Wireless Women’s Leadership Luncheon in Washington, D.C., hosted by the WIA Foundation in partnership with Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF), powered by WIA.

“On behalf of WIA, the WIA Foundation and WWLF, we are honored to present Senator Capito and Congresswoman Fletcher with the 2025 Wireless Leadership Awards,” said Patrick Halley, President and CEO, WIA. “They are forward-leaning national leaders who have consistently supported policies to advance the full capabilities of wireless communications.”

“In addition to their policy prowess, Senator Capito and Congresswoman Fletcher are exemplars and have paved the way forward for the next generation to lead our connected future,” said Amy Jo Samuel, WIA Foundation Chair and Vice President, Data and Digital Solutions, U.S. Tower Division, American Tower Corporation. “For their commitment and dedication, WIA Foundation is pleased to name them as our first Wireless Leadership Awards recipients.”

The WIA Foundation established the Wireless Leadership Awards to recognize leaders in government and the wireless infrastructure industry who embody the organization’s mission to advance the industry, including support for a strong wireless workforce necessary to achieve WIA’s mission of connectivity everywhere.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito

Katharine Saunders, Vice President & Deputy Counsel for Verizon announces Senator Capito as a recipient of the WIA Foundation’s inaugural Wireless Leadership Awards.

As West Virginia’s first female United States Senator, Senator Capito has made it a point to inspire the next generation of female leaders. In 2015, she launched her West Virginia Girls Rise Up program to empower young women through education, physical fitness, and self-confidence. She has also been a leader in closing the digital divide, both in West Virginia and across the country, with legislation like the Rural Broadband Protection Act as well as consistent advocacy for fixed wireless home internet.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher

Cathy Piche, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Crown Castle announces Congresswoman Fletcher as a recipient of WIA Foundation’s inaugural Wireless Leadership Awards.

Congresswoman Fletcher has been a leader in supporting the importance of strong Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs for students and their importance in preparing young people for the jobs of the future.  She has been a constant advocate for broadband and wireless expansion, including sponsoring the bipartisan Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act and the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, which encourages communities to improve permitting processes and deploy wireless faster.  Fletcher has also been dedicated to ensuring connectivity benefits everyone through her support of the Affordable Connectivity Program and urging the FCC to expand language offerings for Wireless Emergency Alerts.

WIA Foundation Invests in Expansion of Telecom Trailblazers Initiative

During the Wireless Women’s Leadership Luncheon, the WIA Foundation Board also announced it will provide $150,000 in funding to Telecom Trailblazers. Telecom Trailblazers is a WWLF initiative to encourage STEM learning, teach young women about digital infrastructure and inspire them to pursue careers in telecommunications. Telecom Trailblazers was established in 2024, reaching numerous students who were shown the incredible opportunities possible through careers in the wireless industry. The program expects to expand the number of events and outreach in 2025.

“We are very pleased with the results of the Telecom Trailblazers program in its first year and we are excited to take the initiative to the next level with the WIA Foundation’s support,” said Victoria Weidenthaler, President of WWLF. “Our goal is to reach more girls and provide experiences that will pique their interest in STEM fields like the telecom industry, encouraging them to be the innovators we need for our connected future.”

Arlington, VA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed four new Board Members to the WIA Foundation, and Amy Jo Samuel, Vice President, Shared Services, US Tower Operations at American Tower, has been elected as the Foundation’s Chair.

The WIA Foundation is dedicated to advancing the wireless industry by encouraging and promoting education, research, and training programs. The Foundation supports efforts to raise awareness about careers in the wireless and broadband industries and activities to enable a strong workforce necessary to achieve WIA’s mission of achieving connectivity everywhere.

Joining WIA President Patrick Halley, the newly appointed board members are:

• Blair Crawford, Executive Vice President of Leasing and Marketing, Vertical Bridge (Treasurer)

• Lynne Hopkins, Senior Director, Brand & Communications, SBA Communications (Secretary)

• Tom Kane, CEO, NB+C

• Amy Jo Samuel, Vice President, Shared Services, American Tower Corporation (Chair)

“The wireless infrastructure industry is a community dedicated to paying it forward and giving back to the communities they serve. So too is WIA through our Foundation,” said WIA President and CEO Patrick Halley. “I am excited to work with our new Board members who will bring new energy and perspectives to the Foundation’s important work.”

“I am honored to serve on the WIA Foundation Board alongside my esteemed colleagues,” said Amy Jo Samuel. “The wireless infrastructure industry is not just about technology and connectivity; it’s about people, communities, and the transformative power of communication. The Foundation builds on WIA’s mission by fostering programs that will benefit our industry for years to come, while also positively impacting our communities. I look forward to engaging in this important work as we make significant strides toward our shared goals.”

“The Foundation’s efforts to support academic opportunities and training programs related to the wireless infrastructure industry will empower the dreams of many talented individuals, open the doors to career opportunities and positively shape their futures and our industry. I am privileged to be part of this Board as we collaborate to make a difference,” stated Lynne Hopkins.

“The wireless infrastructure workforce is the backbone of ensuring connectivity is available to all our communities, and providing educational and training opportunities to them is crucial to our success as an industry. I’m honored to join the Foundation’s Board and contribute to their efforts to create, promote, and foster the future growth of our workforce, enabling a more connected tomorrow for us all,” said Blair Crawford.

About WIA

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) represents the businesses that build, develop, own, and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure. WIA advocates for the widespread, responsible deployment of wireless infrastructure to enable connectivity everywhere.

About the WIA Foundation

The WIA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to advancing the wireless industry by encouraging and promoting education, research, and training programs. In addition to offering support for charitable organizations whose missions align with the needs of the wireless infrastructure industry, the WIA Foundation supports efforts to raise awareness about careers in the wireless and broadband industries and activities to enable a strong workforce necessary to achieve WIA’s mission of achieving connectivity everywhere. The Foundation’s board members govern the organization’s efforts and initiatives.

For media inquiries please email media@wia.org