EXTON, PA — In a continuing effort to foster diversity and bolster professional development within the cable technology sector, the SCTE Foundation in collaboration with The WICT Network has unveiled the 2024-2025 cohort for the Women’s TechConnect program. Since its inception in 2011, this initiative has been instrumental in establishing mentoring relationships between seasoned experts and emerging professionals, aiming to support and retain women in the field.
The newest cohort of the Women’s TechConnect program was introduced at The WICT Network’s 2024 Leadership Conference in New York City. This platform offers mentees the opportunity to cultivate monthly mentoring sessions coupled with quarterly webinars designed to facilitate networking, learning, and growth. These interactions enrich participants with insights from guest speakers and access to valuable resources, culminating in a graduation session slated for the SCTE TechExpo during the week of September 29, 2025.
The 2024-2025 class features a diverse group of 20 mentees from leading cable technology firms, including professionals like Chereese Creel and Jessica Hanks from Cox Communications, and Deanna Benjamin from ESPN, among others. These mentees will benefit from the expertise of an array of accomplished mentors who represent a cross-section of the industry’s leadership.
The distinguished roster of mentors for this cohort encompasses:
- Brooke McAnaney, GVP, Content Security at Warner Bros. Discovery
- Dani Kimmell, VP, AI & Data Strategy at Cox Communications
- Debbie Fitzgerald, Distinguished Technologist and Director at CableLabs
- Eilisa Reid, GVP, Service Delivery Applications at Charter Communications
- Elizabeth Bierman, Vice President of Engineering at Comcast
- Glenda Bough, Executive Director, Engineering Ops at Comcast
- Jackie Boudreau, Vice President, Engineering – XOC at Comcast Communications
- Janine Bailey, Customer Solutions Leader, Media & Entertainment at Amazon Web Services
- Kim Keever, SVP, Security, Analytics and Technology Services and CISO at Cox Communications
- Kristell Janusz, SVP, Network Engineering at Astound Broadband
- Leslie Gilchrist, AVP, Technology – Tools Strategy & Automation for Service Assurance at Cox Communications
- Lori Spencer, SVP and Chief People Officer at CableLabs
- Megan Dover, VP, Product Development & Management at Cox Communications
- Mickie Calkins, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at CableLabs
- Nomi Bergman, President at Advance Newhouse Investment Partnership
- Sally Huriaux, VP, Engineering Operations at Comcast
- Sandy Howe, Board Director and Founder at Coravant
- Sheetal Gattani, VP, eProcurement Solutions & Analytics at Charter Communications
- Theresa Hennesy, Technology Leadership Consultant at Somos, Inc.
- Tracey Dwyer, Senior Manager of Solutions Management at Amazon Web Services
The Women’s TechConnect initiative is pivotal in developing formal mentoring relationships that support female professionals in overcoming workplace challenges and ascending to senior-level positions. By doing so, it contributes significantly to enhancing diversity within the industry.
Applications for the 2025-2026 program will be opening in the summer of 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to Megan Marksberry, AVP, Program Administration at The WICT Network, for further details.
In addition to Women’s TechConnect, the SCTE Foundation champions two critical fellowships: The Nomi M. Bergman Fellowship, focusing on high-potential women in tech companies, and the Martha Soehren Women Veterans Fellowship, targeting women veterans in programming, operating, or technology roles. These initiatives underscore the Foundation’s commitment to supporting diversity and building an inclusive workforce in cable technology.
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