Women in Fiber Committee

Fiber Broadband Association believes the world is a better place when women’s voices are heard. We believe companies are more successful when women are encouraged and rewarded to reach their full potential. We believe it is up to us to help identify, develop, and promote women in the Fiber Broadband industry as well as technology, telecommunications, construction and manufacturing. We pledge to use this forum to help women succeed in the Fiber Broadband industry.

Value Proposition

To the FBA and the Industry

• Demonstrate the verifiable link between women in leadership and improved business performance. Identify our own potential leaders.
• Represent women in fields where women are not often well-represented.
• Highlight different career paths for women within fiber, telecommunications and technology.
• Identify challenges particular to women in the workforce in these industries and possible solutions.

To The Member Companies and Individual Members

• Networking: Provide opportunities for connections, networking, and building relationships with other women in fiber of all areas and experience.
• Professional Development & Leadership: Deliver professional development and leadership opportunities. Emphasize pathways for success and advancement.
• Workplace Education: Identify relevant everyday workplace issues for discussion and education. Learn to navigate challenges, varied situations, and problem solving. Find solutions.
• Recognition: Create opportunities to recognize different career paths held by women in fiber. Highlight those who demonstrate dedication and hard work within the field, the leadership of industry veterans, the talent and potential of developing leaders, and the stories that inspire us.

Women in Fiber Committee Leadership, Subcommittees, and Meetings

Our leadership team is led by Chairperson Alexa Edens, Senior Director of Cloud Service Providers at KGPCo. Ashley Brown, Senior Director of Field Marketing at Adtran, serves as the FBA Board Liaison.

Supporting Alexa are our Co-Vice Chairs, Tamara Davis Brown, CEO and Co-Founder of Last Mile Broadband LLC, and Holly Ruser, Manager of Comm Data Business at Graybar. Together, they collaborate closely with the co-chairs of our five subcommittees.

Candy Riem, VP of Marketing & Customer Solutions at Midwest Energy & Communications, serves as our Executive Assistant, further strengthening our team.

We are dedicated to advancing the role of women in the fiber industry and look forward to your involvement and support.

The Women in Fiber Committee meetings occur bi-monthly on the third Wednesday at 4 PM Eastern.

Committee members are invited to participate in the following subcommittees:

• Association Partnerships
• Events
• Professional Development & Mentorship
• Social Media & Marketing
• STEM Promotion for Women & Girls

Each subcommittee has separate monthly meetings. More information will come from these subcommittees – stay tuned!

FBA member company employees and FBA Woman in Fiber members may join the Women in Fiber Committee. Individuals may participate in organized activities and/or general committee meetings, and there is no requirement to join a subcommittee in order to be a member of the overall Women in Fiber committee.

2024 Women in Fiber Spotlights

Women in Fiber Mentorship Program

FBA member company employees may participate in the Women in Fiber Mentorship Program. Mentors and mentees are accepted on a rolling basis. Please click here to sign up. Women in Fiber Committee members will follow up with you on the next steps.

Women in Fiber Mentorship

Please contact Kim Rickard with any questions or to inquire about FBA membership status.