Previous Fellowship & Scholarship Award Winners

April Gonzalez graduated from the University of North Texas with a BS Degree in Advertising, Minor in Social Science. At the university, she was a part of SWOOP, a student-run advertising agency. She worked on the account side (“suits” as the ad world calls it) brainstorming with the team/presenting and pitching campaigns to the client. Additionally, she worked at the university’s newspaper selling ad space. It was during her time at the university that she found a love for sales and working with people.

Right out of college she went into B2B sales selling copiers. Not too long after this, the staffing industry found her, and she joined a general staffing firm to work as a recruiter on the Engineering side of the business. She quickly worked her way up the ladder to team lead, manager, and, ultimately, business development. She began her career in Telecom in November 2020 when she joined the team at TekCom Resources, a staffing firm that specializes solely in placing Telecom talent. Her current role is Business Development Manager over the Central Region.

Her goal as the 2021 WWLF Fellowship recipient is to network and learn as much as she can about the world of Telecom. She loves being a part of an industry that is constantly growing and changing.

In February 2021, she got married and they have one Australian Shepherd and two cats.

She is excited and grateful to be a part of WWLF!

Like most, Aneta Karkula found the telecommunications industry by chance in 2018. She says it was love at first sight. In March 2018 she started as a Wireless Designer at WT Group, where she prepares detailed construction drawings for variety of clients while adhering to company and industry standards. Aneta works closely with project management teams to perform technical and design alterations. Before joining WT Group she was in food and beverage industry working as a hostess, waitress, and bartender. She worked mainly in hotels like The Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel in Chicago, Illinois where she was awarded “Employee of the Quarter” in December 2016. During her time in the food and beverage industry Aneta learned many skills that she has taken into her career in telecom such as: teamwork, multitasking, being flexible, maintaining a positive attitude, and customer orientation. A native of Krakow, Poland, Aneta is a graduate of AGH University of Science and Technology. She also holds a CAD Certificate from Oakton Community College. Aneta came to the USA in January 2015 and believes that through WWLF’s Fellowship Program Award she is on the right path to fulfill her version of American Dream.

Shamrose recently transitioned from Charlotte, NC to Dallas, TX. She started her career in telecom as a Site Acquisition Specialist at PM&A in 2018 and moved to Dallas in 2019 taking on the role as a Project Management Coordinator at VERTICOM. Prior to joining the wireless industry, Shamrose was in the Banking and Finance industry. Shamrose worked in Banking for 10 years as a Financial Center Manager helping clients achieve their financial goals. During this time she worked very closely with Mortgage Loan Officers, Commercial Lenders, and Certified Planners to identify the right resources for her clients. With a passion for work clients and continuously enhancing her education Shamrose holds a Bachelors in Business Administration, received her MBA from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Certification from the American Bankers Association. Shamrose also passed the Real Estate Course in Illinois before her move to Charlotte, NC. As she continues to be a part of the telecom industry her goal is to empower other women to network and connect within this industry.

Rebecca M. Gray is a Real Estate Specialist for Crown Castle USA Inc. in the Louisville District, Midwest Area. Since joining Crown Castle in October 2014, Rebecca handles traditional real estate and landlord issues. Prior to entering the wireless infrastructure industry, she had over ten years of real estate experience, primarily focusing on Residential and Commercial Real Estate transactions, Title and Title Insurance, and Business Development and Client Relationship Management with Kentucky banks, attorneys, and real estate professionals. Rebecca is a proud graduate of the University of Louisville and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Juris Doctor, and is admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association.

Ashli wears many hats at PM&A; but her main role is Recruiting and Project Coordination for the West region. Before arriving to PM&A, Ashli attended Texas State University and received her BS in FCS, with a focus on Fashion Merchandising and Events. Ashli joined WWLF to find a community of strong women to help her navigate the wireless industry. She hopes to return the favor at WWLF by helping it grow, becoming a mentor, and expanding the organization's reach to empower more women in the industry.