On February 18, 2026, the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) proudly hosted a Telecom Trailblazers event at the Verizon Center for Technology and Policy, welcoming 30 students from Jackson-Reed High School for an immersive introduction to the world of digital infrastructure.

Special thanks to our program sponsor, American Tower, lunch sponsor SBA Communications and our event host, Verizon Wireless — including Yenal Tucker and Megan Torres — whose support made this experience possible.

From the start, the energy in the room was undeniable.

The day opened with AI, Policy & Innovation: The Legal Voices Powering the Future of Connectivity, a dynamic panel featuring moderator Lynn Whitcher (MD7), Michele Cober (Verizon), Angela Floyd (Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP), and Madeline Sorg (WIA). These leaders gave students a firsthand look at how law, policy, and advocacy shape the connected world — and why digital infrastructure matters more than ever.

Students then participated in interactive workshops designed to make telecom tangible and personal.

In Branding Your Strengths: Building a Professional Brand at Any Age, Jennifer Winters (Motive Infrastructure) and Rachel Metzler (WWLF) led a powerful, affirming exercise where students identified their strengths and practiced articulating them with confidence. As participants stepped into the role of “cheerleader” for one another, the room filled with encouragement — a reminder that leadership begins with recognizing and owning your value.

In The Business of Connectivity: Why Telecom Drives Innovation, Nichole Thomas (SBA) and Kelly Alberta (American Tower) broke down the many forms of wireless infrastructure and challenged students to imagine the vast range of careers that make connectivity possible.

Throughout the day, Talisha Germain (RFI Industries), Taylor Weltmeyer (eX2 Technology), and Kristen Beyer (First Tyr Solutions LLC) provided mentorship and small-group discussions, deepening student engagement and connection.

The experience concluded with a facility tour, where students explored the history of telecommunications through immersive displays, including an eight-foot-wide city model, fiber and tower installations, and real-world industry applications. They saw firsthand how telecom and AI infrastructure power innovation across every sector of our economy.

These programs matter.

Telecom Trailblazers connects students to opportunity, representation, and possibility. By combining real-world exposure, mentorship, and hands-on learning, we are building awareness of the critical role digital infrastructure plays — and inspiring the next generation of leaders who will shape it.

Telecom Trailblazers events are held nationwide, creating meaningful opportunities for companies, professionals, and community leaders to get involved.

If you are passionate about developing future talent, advancing digital infrastructure, and investing in programs that create lasting impact, we invite you to join us.

Let’s build what’s next — together.