In the early days, many thought women in telecoms primarily worked at the switchboard. Today, women at GPC make a significant impact in the company and the communities GPC serves. Here are some insights from two of GPC’s female executives. What’s your role at Great Plains Communications? Janelle Allison, Chief Service Delivery Officer. I’ve worn many hats at GPC, including CFO and COO. My current role is Chief Service Delivery Officer, where I’m responsible for Customer Service, Network Operations & NOC, Service Operations & Trouble Support and Project Management. Essentially, I help support and promote the delivery of exceptional customer experience for GPC customers. Katie Curtis, Chief Information Officer. As the CIO at GPC, I spearhead digital transformation initiatives. I’ve established a telecoms cloud architecture to enhance processes and customer experiences. I also direct IT and security operations across 13 states. What are some common misconceptions about working in telecom today? Janelle: A common myth is that telecoms companies are all traditional, slow-moving and resistant to change. In reality, the industry has evolved dramatically in recent years. Today, we’re innovating rapidly developing and delivering exciting new products and exploring fresh ways to bring those products to customers. Our focus is on providing reliable services that meet the needs of modern life, both at work and at home, and delivering them when, where and how our customers want. Katie: A common myth is that the telecoms industry is only for engineers who work with physical infrastructure. We are home to some of the brightest minds in data science, cybersecurity, cloud architecture and even creative fields like user experience design and marketing. The complexity of our business requires a diverse set of skills and backgrounds, not just a technical one. Also, people often think of telecoms as a “legacy” industry with limited career opportunities. On the contrary, the need for our services creates a wealth of opportunities for growth and leadership. It’s a purpose-driven industry,
with diverse partners and communicate complex technical concepts to non- technical stakeholders. Cultivating these soft skills will be your greatest asset as you rise into leadership. What advice would you give to young women considering a career in telecom? Janelle: Learn all you can learn! Be part of the solution and get things done. Work together with other teams to streamline, create efficiencies and exceed the customer’s expectations. Understand the big picture, what you can contribute and then deliver. And most of all, be yourself! Katie: The pace of innovation in this industry is incredible, and the best way to stay ahead is to be a lifelong learner and continually expand your knowledge and technical expertise. Your background, experiences and way of looking at the world are incredibly valuable. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. You bring a crucial perspective to the table, and it’s one the industry needs. Build your network and find your community. Mentors and sponsors can be invaluable in helping you navigate your career path. A strong support system is one of the greatest assets you can have.
and for those who want to be at the heart of what’s next, it is an incredible opportunity. What emerging technologies or trends should the next generation of women in telecom pay attention to? Janelle: Automation and the new AI capabilities will allow us to become more efficient and do things better. We want to take advantage of these new functionalities to allow more time for other things that help the company grow and elevate the customer experience. We want to achieve the right balance of AI and personal touches. We want to enable customers to do business with us the way they want to do business with us. Everyone wins! Katie: First, technical fluency in data and AI is non-negotiable. You don’t need to be a data scientist, but you must be fluent in how these technologies can drive business value. Strategic problem-solving is key. Next, the biggest challenges we face now, from cybersecurity threats to building scalable, resilient networks are complex and require a holistic approach. Finally, strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. Our industry is highly interconnected. Success depends on the ability to work effectively across teams,
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Volume 47 No.4 DECEMBER 2025
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