WICT ANNOUNCES 2nd RISING LEADERS CLASS

Chantilly, VA- Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) today announced the members of the 2nd class of the Rising Leaders Program. WICT’s Rising Leaders Program is geared towards managers and directors with 5-7 years of business experience who are ready to challenge their own skills and to take the next step towards designing their individual leadership blueprint.  Participants complete 3 hands-on sessions comprised of leadership analysis, case study work, cable business acumen and tactical personal leadership skill development. The Rising Leaders Program is fully funded by the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

“The forty women selected for this program have already made great impact on their companies,” said Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, WICT President & CEO.  “Thanks to a generous grant from the Walter Kaitz Foundation, the WICT Rising Leaders Program will provide them with the opportunity to continue their growth and provide them with the necessary tools to be the next generation of industry leaders.”

The members of the 2nd class of the Rising Leaders Program are:
Gail Bongcaras- Community Relations Manager, Cox Communications
Danielle Boots- Regional Human Resources Manager, Comcast Spotlight
Susan Brinkley- Director, Finance, Turner/CNN Worldwide Division
Keely Rose Buchanan- Manager, Distance Learning, Time Warner Cable
Stacie Buckley- Director, System Technology & Reporting, Turner Entertainment Networks
Christine W. Carreno - Corporate, Director of Human Resources & Employment Benefits, Advance/Newhouse Communications
Nakiah Cherry Chinchilla- Manager, Corporate Communications, MTV Networks
Teresa Corbo- Regional Director, Project Management Office, Comcast
Lisa Crandall- Manager of Operations Analysis, Cox Communications
Gina DaDan- Director, Marketing/Ad Sales, NBC Universal Cable
Dria de Botton- Manager, Foodnetwork.com, Scripps Networks
Natalia Fadeeva- Manager, Business Systems & Strategy Group, MTV Networks
Allison Gorson-  Manager, Spike TV Integrated Marketing, MTV Networks
Angela Halan- Account Manager, Starz Entertainment, LLC
Nancy Heffernan- Director, Video Marketing Management, Cox Communications
Kimberly Horn- Market Manager, Time Warner Cable
Marian Jackson- Director, Government Affairs, Comcast
Estella (Linda) Kavanagh- Human Resources Director, Cox Communications
Allison Kreiss- Senior Producer, The National Geographic Channel
Terri Leftwich- Manager, National Geographic Channel
Jennifer Leitman- Director of On-air Promotion and Production, HGTV
Lynette Lippert - Retail Facilities Manager, Turner Broadcasting
Joyce Magruder- Knowledge Center Director, Turner Broadcasting Sales
Jennifer Martin- Manager, Technology Public Relations, CNN
Joanna Massetti- Network Engineer, Comcast
Cara Paige May- Sr. Product Manager, Interactive Ad Sales, E.W. Scripps/Scripps Networks
Colleen Mercer- Director, Product Management, Engineering, Time Warner Cable
Wendy Morris-  Employer Relationship Representative, Bright House Networks
Kia Painter- Manager-HR-Recruitment/Retention, Cox Communications
Banafsheh Kamali Parsee- Director Media Assets/Network Operations, National Geographic Channel - US
Alyse Ramer- Manager - Affiliate Sales, The Weather Channel
Nzinga Shaw- Human Resources Manager, YES Network, LLC
Molly Stone- Regional Marketing Manager, Scripps Networks
Lauren Swearhart- Project Manager, Comcast Cable Communications
Leslie Talansky- Regional Marketing Director, Cox Media
Janine Valentiner- Performance Manager, Call Center Operations, Cablevision Systems Coporation
Victoria "Vicki" Vezina- Director of HR, Comcast
Renee White- Human Resources Consultant, Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc.
Trish Wong- WE tv Research Manager, Rainbow Media
Shelley Worrell - Manager, Programming & New Business Dev., Time Warner Cable of NY & NJ

About the WICT Rising Leaders Program
The first session of the Rising Leaders Program will meet February 11-13, 2007 in Coconut Grove, Florida and presents the fundamentals of team dynamics, personal leadership development, networking, and road-mapping by overlaying standard industry assessments and best practices. Participants walk away empowered with a strategic personal leadership plan and a tactical approach to team management to help each individual navigate towards her full potential. The second meeting will be conducted in conjunction with the new WICT Leadership Conference March 7-8, 2007 in New York.  The final meeting of the program will take place April 17-20, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Participants will focus on negotiation skills, demonstrating leadership and persuasive techniques, and understanding the power of working within a robust, diverse team network.  All program fees, travel expenses, hotel accommodations, airfare and meals are free to all attendees thanks to a generous grant from the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

About WICT
For over twenty-five years, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide leadership programs and services, and create professional advancement opportunities for women. WICT is the oldest and largest professional association advocating for women in the cable and telecommunications industry, with 20 local chapters serving over 5,000 members across the country. WICT develops women leaders who transform our industry through highly regarded professional events, educational programming and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.wict.org.

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