Top 10: Telecommunications Influencers
As telecommunications continues to digitally transform, insights from well-established voices within are vital when it comes to propelling progress forward.
The industry influencers featured within this list are leading organisations by example as they support large-scale teams, championing 5G development and fostering an inclusive environment within the telecommunications industry.
These influencers hold a unique position in the industry that is critical for telcos to drive innovation forward.
10. Rohin Bansal
Rohin Bansal is the Director of Data Governance & Enablement at TELUS, one of the leading telecommunications companies in Canada. He chairs the Enterprise Data Council and supports more than 500 data stewards with the aim of accelerating innovation and excellence.
For his commitment to the industry, 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.
9. Dr Khalid Basit
Khalid Basit is COO at the Telecom Intelligent Automation Council (TIAC), where he spearheads the deployment of intelligent automation solutions to optimise operations in the telecommunications industry. His main focus is on enhancing efficiency and service delivery, whilst also strategising automation projects and fostering partnerships to drive innovation and growth.
With more than 30 years of experience across the educational sector, he strives to enrich the next generation as they enter the world of work, whilst also supporting them in their endeavours to enter into the technology and telecom sectors.
8. Emily Webberley
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.
She has been a guest on multiple panels regarding neurodiversity and disabilities as an advocate for equality in theory and in practice. Additionally, she has experience in managing significant budgets, profitability management, capital management and accounting.
7. Sylvia Lu
Sylvia Lu is a Chartered Engineer and Non-Executive Director with more than 15 years of experience in the telecoms industry. She currently serves on several boards, including as an elected board director of Cambridge Wireless (CW) and the advisory board of UKTIN, which offers independent advice on the telecoms sector.
She also serves on the Board of 5G-ACIA (5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation), where she advises stakeholders in 5G development and deployment.
6. Anne Chow
Anne Chow has consistently been recognised as a role model for leadership and success across the telco industry. Her dedication to business technology for more than 30 years sees her honoured as a successful leader who successfully works at the intersection of people, culture and technology.
She worked at leading telecommunications company AT&T for 32 years, during which time she held 17 different roles across product management, strategy and planning, customer service and international operations. She was the company’s CEO between 2019 and 2022, the first woman of colour to hold this role.
5. Bechara Kaddoum
Having worked in IT and cybersecurity for almost a decade, Bechara is passionate about protecting telco businesses from cyber threats and educating future professionals to drive change and growth within the industry.
As the Head of Cybersecurity Services for Europe, Middle-East, and Asia Pacific at Telefonica, he is responsible for leading the cybersecurity department and helping partners to build their cybersecurity capabilities. He frequently speaks at events and teaches various Master’s courses at IE School of Science and Technology.
4. Edwige Robinson
Edwige Robinson is one of the most influential voices and brands in 5G. As an innovator who unites engineering, technology and business, Edwige was formerly the Senior Vice President of Network Engineering and Operations of the Central Region at T-Mobile, where she was 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.
Now, with over 27 years of experience as an executive leader, she sits on the Forbes Technology Council and several Advisory Boards driving STEM education to underserved communities, including A Little Bit of Hope and 4Girls 4Change, with responsibility to drive strategy, programming and capacity building.
3. Adriana Dawson
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 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.
“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.”
2. Duncan Chapple
Duncan Chapple helps industry analysts understand how Elisa enables the sustainable digitalisation of telecom networks, supply chains and energy grids. He is responsible for managing analyst relations activities for Elisa's International Digital Services. Elisa's AI-driven software drives automation in telecoms.
Duncan also consults with analyst relations teams through SageCircle, using his expertise in analyst relations evaluation and program development. He has also consulted to hundreds of leading B2B tech firms and created analyst relations teams for international public relations agencies.
1. Ahmad Malkawi, CEO, Global Telecom
A leading figure in the telecoms industry, Ahmad has more than 20 years of experience in the mobile and wireless industry for Tier 1 companies. He has worked at the likes of AT&T, T-Mobile and Qualcomm and is now CEO and founder of Global Telecom, a company created to address a major gap in the development of modules.
His emphasis on homegrown technology with elite security (a special form of blockchain that keeps foreign entities out of your computer systems) has proven to be very forward-thinking. With 5G being actualised around the world, Ahmad has positioned his company to be a driving force in the industry, with the backing of big partners and industry-leading technology.
Most recently, Ahmad has earned Global Telecom several awards, including Association Corporate Growth (ACG), IOT Evolution Product of the year, Hottest New IOT Device and many others.
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