From the President

WICT’s mission is “To develop women leaders who transform our industry,” and on May 13th we honored 13 women at the Walk of Fame Gala who have done just that. The industry support at this event was astonishing. But recognizing top women in the industry and their contributions is just one way WICT supports its members. Providing numerous opportunities for the membership population to make connections with each other is another.

I joined WICT almost five years ago when I was in the middle of a career transition. I went to one of my clients whom I admired tremendously, explained that I was embarking on a new venture that was focused solely on the cable and broadband billing space, and asked her advice.

She said very emphatically that I needed to join WICT, and she handed me the information on the next event. Sandy Monahan (now with Comcast) was my first mentor in the industry, even though she didn’t know it at the time. And that was the beginning of the life and career-changing connections I have made through this powerful, impactful organization.

Since the day I joined WICT, I have experienced the most amazing examples of coaching, mentoring, support, and friendship.

I was part of the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s inaugural mentoring program where I was a mentee to Erin Geegan, a very successful entrepreneur in Boulder.

Imet a group of women at WICT’s Executive Development Seminar in Loveland, and ultimately we got together once a month for the next year and half—helping each other through career changes, cancer, parenthood, bad hair days and all the experiences a career in this industry, and life in any industry, brings.

At last year’s silent auction, I bought Colleen Abdoulah’s participation in the WICT golf tournament. I got way more than I bargained for and learned that mentoring comes in many packages. Much to Colleen’s dismay, I don’t even play golf. According to her, I don’t even drive the cart well, but I wasn’t going to let that keep me from missing out on an afternoon with Colleen Abdoulah! She gave me a crash course on golf cart driving, parenting, and closing the deal. Now we are so close she has a pet name for me—Banana Head.

I often do business, have fun, and get words of wisdom from the members of the WICT RM Board of directors, the executive members, and the membership at large.

The opportunities to build bridges with all kinds of amazing women, and yes -- men, in this industry is one of the most valuable benefits that membership in WICT offers. There is absolutely no doubt that my business and my personal development have been tremendously impacted by this organization.

Call or email me to find out how you can get involved in the organization, make connections and grow your circle of influence!

Cindy Bennett
WICT RM 2003/2004 President
303-419-4724
cindyb@organicpeople.com

Gala Recap

Record levels of participation, sponsorships and Walk of Fame nominees marked the fifth annual Rocky Mountain WICT Women's Walk of Fame Gala. Nearly 400 people attended this year's sold out event on May 13th, including WICT RM members and honorees' coworkers, family and friends. Inductees included Lee Clayton, senior vice president of operations, Midwest Division, Charter Communications, Inc.; Charlotte Field, senior vice president of Technical and Network Operations, Comcast; Ellen Filipiak, senior vice president of Customer Care, Adelphia Communications, Inc.; Lisa Lee, CEO, Broadband Insights; and Michelle Sie Whitten, president and CEO, Encore International.

Life Balance Article

One of the many themes from the Walk of Fame Gala was the idea of women being bold in their lives and careers to become a leader who can transform our industry. WICT has given this issue some thought, and has come up with some touchstones that strong leaders live by.

The Rubber Ceiling

Adelphia's Erica Stull takes a tongue-in-cheek look at style and success in the workplace in this month's edition of The Rubber Ceiling...There's a popular assessment test used in business that divides people into four types: Analytical, Driver, Expressive, and Amiable. Analyticals are detail folks; Drivers are big on action, short on social skills; Expressives take an operatic approach to life; Amiables just want everybody to get along.