Each year, WICT Rocky Mountain awards its highest honors at Walk of Fame:

Woman of the Year

• A female in the Telecommunications Industry at the VP level or above who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership and embodies WICT’s mission to develop women leaders who transform the industry.
• An Executive who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout her career to her company and the overall industry.
• An Executive who has achieved top industry status and shows great resolve to help others along their path.
• An Executive who champions gender diversity efforts, embraces exemplary diversity and inclusion practices, and who consistently enables women in Telecommunications to achieve their full potential, as evidenced through her passion, words, and actions.
• An Executive who takes initiative, leads by example, is a role model to others in the industry, and demonstrates strong leadership skills and business savvy.
• An Executive who is active in her support of, and/or time with WICT Global and/or Rocky Mountain
• Nominee must have at least five years total in the industry (does not have to be consecutive)

Woman in Technology

• A female in the Telecommunications Industry at the Director level or above who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership and embodies WICT’s mission to develop women leaders who transform the industry.
• A leader who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout her career to her company and the overall industry because of her impressive technical knowledge and accomplishments, and/or her demonstrated expertise in delivering new products or technology.
• A leader who is committed to the continued growth of women pursuing careers in technology.
• A leader who is committed to supporting Middle School, High School, and/or College student STEM outreach and programs.
• A leader who takes initiative, leads by example, and whose passion about technology inspires others.
• A leader who is active in her support of, and/or time with WICT Global and/or Rocky Mountain
• Nominee must be a member of the WICT Rocky Mountain Chapter by 02/01/20, as confirmed by WICT Global, and Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or  spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Mentor of the Year

• An individual in the Telecommunications Industry at the Director level or above
• An individual in the Telecommunications Industry who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership and embodies WICT’s mission to develop women leaders who transform the industry
• An individual with a strong history of mentoring and coaching women throughout their career.
• An individual who consistently enables women in Telecommunications to achieve their full potential, as evidenced through their passion, words, and actions
• An individual who supports the development and/or expansion of mentoring programs within their company and/or the industry
• A leader who is active in their support of, and/or time with WICT Global and/or Rocky Mountain
• Nominee must be a member of the WICT Rocky Mountain Chapter by 02/01/20, as confirmed by WICT Global, and Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or  spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Industry Partner of the Year

• A Telecommunications Industry company/representative that is not a Cable Operator or Programmer
• A company/representative who is a key champion of the WICT Rocky Mountain Chapter, exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership, and supports WICT’s mission to develop women leaders who transform the industry
• A company/representative who champions gender diversity efforts, embraces exemplary diversity and inclusion practices, and who consistently enables women in Telecommunications to achieve their full potential, as evidenced through the company’s/representative’s passion, words, and actions.  
• A company/representative that takes initiative, leads by example, is a role model to other companies/people in the industry, and demonstrates strong leadership and business savvy.
• If nominating a company, company must have a Colorado, Utah, and/or Nebraska presence
• If nominating an individual, they must be a member of the WICT Rocky Mountain Chapter by 02/01/20, as confirmed by WICT Global, and Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or  spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Leader to Watch

• A leader in the Telecommunications Industry at the Manager, Sr Manager, Director, or Sr Director level (or technical equivalent) 
• A leader who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership. 
• A leader who shows tremendous potential and growth, and with impressive professional accomplishments
• A leader with a strong commitment to their company and the industry at large
• A leader who takes initiative, leads by example, and whose passion about their work inspires others
• A leader who is active in their support of, and/or time with WICT Global and/or Rocky Mountain
• Nominee must have at least one year in the industry
• Nominee must be a member of the WICT Rocky Mountain Chapter by 02/01/20, as confirmed by WICT Global, and Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or  spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Rising Star

• A front/first line leader (a people manager of individual contributors) or individual contributor in the Telecommunications Industry
• A rising star who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership  
• A rising star who leads by example, and demonstrates remarkable potential through their extraordinary performance, engagement, and impact on their team
• A rising star who shows tremendous potential and a willingness to grow personally and professionally
• Nominee must have at least six months in the industry
• Nominee Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Young Person to Watch

• A current or recently graduated (in the last 6 months) High School or College student who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership  
• A High School or College student who demonstrates remarkable potential through their extraordinary leadership, creative problem-solving, and courage in the face of life’s challenges.
• A High School or College student student who shows tremendous potential and growth, and who has impressive personal, school, and community accomplishments.
• A High School or College student student who takes initiative, leads by example, and whose passion inspires others.
• Ideally, the nominee will have an interest in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Technology, or Telecommunications career.
• Nominee Must reside in Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming – or  spend at least half of their time in one of those states.

Lifetime Achievement

• An individual who retired (or is retiring) from the Telecommunications Industry at the VP level or above in 2019 or 2020
• An individual who exemplifies the WICT Touchstones of Leadership and embodies WICT’s mission to develop women leaders who transform the industry.
• An individual who has made increasingly significant contributions throughout their career to their company and the overall industry. 
• An individual with a reputation as a mentor and/or sponsor in the industry
• An individual who inspires those around them
• An individual who champions gender diversity efforts, embraces exemplary diversity and inclusion practices, and who consistently enables women in Telecommunications to achieve their full potential, as evidenced through their passion, words, and actions.
• An individual who is active in their support of, and/or time with WICT Global and/or Rocky Mountain
• Nominee must have at least ten years total in the industry (does not have to be consecutive)

The WICT Touchstones of Leadership form the foundation for all of WICT’s initiatives serving as a compass along the path of strategic and effective leadership development.

KNOW YOURSELF and what you stand for and where you are headed.
You must understand who you are before you can decide who you want to be. Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses, and understand your limitations. Set realistic goals for yourself, keeping in mind that a balance between work and life makes for a healthy leader. Maintain your own morals, values and ethics, so you can hold yourself to the high standards you set. Unleash the leader within you, taking control of your career and steering it in the precise direction you want to go.

COMMUNICATE with passion and poise, in writing and in-person.
The strongest communicato​​rs do more than just talk. Aspire to deliver a speech powerful enough to inspire an entire auditorium or to put pen to paper in such a way that others can be rallied into action through the power of your words. Learn to negotiate for the best possible outcomes with both logic and compassion. The ability to do all this will make you a communicator who embodies conviction and passion – qualities a great leader needs to succeed.

LISTEN with more than just your ears. 
Strive to be an active listener who processes what is being conveyed and learn from people through their words. It is by listening with your heart, as well as your head, that you will build lasting relationships strengthening your cohort and helping others around you to grow along the way.

CONNECT to your peers, your industry, and everything around you.
You cannot move forward without a keen understanding of your network – the people you work with and the industry you work in. Immerse yourself in the economics and business practices that affect your company, clients, and colleagues. Keep your ear to the ground. Be aware of your competition and gain the upper hand. Build a support system for yourself and those within your community. Great leaders get connected and stay connected, using every ounce of information to their advantage.

BE A CATALYST and set the wheels of change in motion.
Progress is never made by standing still or by relying on the same old ideas. As a leader you must push the envelope to transform our industry with innovative concepts that are bigger and better than ever before. Take initiative. Raise the bar. Demand equality on all fronts and embrace diversity. Above all, never accept less respect than you offer others, because change can only take hold if it is grounded in respect.

BE FEARLESS and confident in your convictions as you take risks and bring others along.
To be a great leader, look fear in the eye and turn it to your advantage as the force driving you into uncharted territory. Use the adrenaline to keep climbing the corporate ladder. Don’t surrender or retreat. Commit to your vision and believe in it above everything else. Others will sense your conviction and be willing to follow – without fear.​

INSPIRE and others will follow.
Rally those around you to support your vision. Be a mentor, a guide, and a role model – one who learns from what she teaches. Help those around you achieve their full potential with a helping hand that paves the way for future leaders. Be dynamic and strong, and you will inspire others to embrace your vision as the one they want to be part of, and the one they choose to follow.

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