#IWD2025
International WOmens’ Day 2025
As part of International Women’s Day 2025, Broadband Journal and the SCTE celebrate the considerable achievements of four outstanding women in our industry
By Melissa Cogavin, Broadband Journal
was the pace—deals moved fast, and the industry had a unique energy. As I got deeper into the business, I built my network through SCTE, which became an essential part of my growth and exposure to the industry. I also found myself fascinated by the technology and the deeper layers of human connection—how communication, strategy and negotiation all play a role in shaping outcomes. Sales can be tough, filled with highs and lows, but through it, I gained not only technical knowledge but also a deep appreciation for the people. What, if any, mentors helped you along the way? One of my most influential mentors was Chuck Racine, a former Army sergeant who was gruff on the outside but deeply caring. He wasn’t a traditional mentor— direct, sometimes unfiltered—but he knew how to sell and network. “People want to buy from people they like,” he would say. He had me build a structured contact list and check in regularly. He also pushed me to generate ideas and proposals, knowing that visibility mattered. Chuck also gave me a pivotal career push—telling me it was time to leave 3M. He saw I had started too low in the organisation and might never reach VP. He even connected me with a 3Com recruiter looking for someone to sell CPE and CMTSs to the cable industry. That opportunity set me on a path that led to leadership roles at Ambit Microsystems, Foxconn and Ubee. What have you learned along the way as a woman in a male- dominated environment? Credibility is built through competence, consistency and confidence. In a male- dominated industry, technical expertise and strategic thinking matter, but so does
Maria Popo President & CEO SCTE a subsidiary of CableLabs
Maria’s journey from trade school to academia and boardrooms has been shaped by tenacity, adaptability and lifelong learning. From customer service representative to senior executive of Global Fortune 50 Foxconn, CEO/president of Ubee Interactive Americas, leadership roles at 3Com (HP)/Ambit Microsystems/3M, and now as a technology education innovator, Maria has shown a profound ability to drive transformative growth. Popo has received recognition such as: 20 Female Founders to Watch, Cablefax Most Powerful Women in Cable, Multichannel News Women in Technology, and 8th Fastest Growing Woman-Led Company. Popo graduated from Stanford University in 2023 with a Master of Science in Education - Learning Design and Technology. What first attracted you to the cable industry and how did you get into the business? Working at 3M drew me toward the cable industry. What captivated me about cable
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Volume 47 No.1 MARCH 2025
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