Humans of Telecom
A podcast that goes beyond our work lives to bring us closer to some of the brightest and most influential members of the telecom community.
Episodes
Episode 90: Ricardo Martins, VP Global Sales Messaging at iBASIS
“My father wanted me to be a telecom engineer. I hated the idea. I went into economics instead. And 25 years later - here I am in telecom anyway!” — Ricardo Martins, VP Global Sales Messaging at iBASIS, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a student who refused to study telecom engineering like his father wanted...to negotiating his exam grade just enough to earn an Erasmus year in Rome...to s
Episode 89: Natalia Matviychuk, Head of Wholesale at GlobaHub AG
"First come the spikes. Then you see the kindness. Because kindness shown too early is sometimes mistaken for weakness!" — Natalia Matviychuk, Head of Wholesale at GlobaHub AG, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a 16-year-old exchange student in the United States...to working night shifts at a telecom company to keep her English alive...to becoming one of the most recognisable face
Episode 88: Andrew Ward, Sales Director at NGN Corp
"Treat everybody the same. The cleaner. The CEO. Your job title or bank balance doesn't make you more valuable than anyone else!" — Andrew Ward, Sales Director at NGN Corp, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a council estate in Coventry...to dreadlocks that earned him the nickname 'Bob'...to becoming one of the most beloved faces in global messaging,Bob's journey is
Episode 87: Alisa Dzic, Head of SMS Department at VX Telecom
"Starting from scratch and being like a student at the age of 37 isn't easy... But I realized that if I didn't do it now, I will never have enough courage to do it!" — Alisa Dzic, Head of SMS Department at VX Telecom, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the colorful world of television in Moldova...to cold-calling a telecom company for a sales role they weren't even adve
Episode 86: Giovanni Benini, Co-Founder at Global Telco Consult (GTC)
"Founding GTC with Jose Garcia was the best professional decision of my life! Every client gives me a new lens through which to see this industry!" — Giovanni Benini, Co-Founder at GTC, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom dreaming of becoming the next Einstein in Bologna...to building SIP prototypes at Siemens in the year 2000...to co-founding one of the most respected consulting fi
Episode 85: Anna Potapova, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at AB Handshake
"I bring a little bit of that wildness into my meetings and my conferences! Our industry needs it!" — Anna Potapova, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at AB Handshake, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a mountain hostel in the middle of nowhere…sitting on the floor with a laptop on her pillow…choosing between her dream FMCG company and a telecom startup she had known for just
Episode 84: Brian Moon, CEO at Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC)
"PTC has been around for over four decades, and most people in the local community had no idea what we were doing... That was my first big lesson!" — Brian Moon, CEO at Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC), in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the island of Guam to the world's biggest tech event stage...from leading biz dev at CES to leading a nearly 50-year-old telecom council in Honolulu
Episode 83: Nancy Aboushakra, Head of Messaging & Digital Sales at Bayobab
"Once you overcome one challenge, you know you can face the next one. That's when I stopped being afraid!" — Nancy Aboushakra, Head of Messaging & Digital Sales at Bayobab, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a ten-year-old girl in Lebanon who heard that engineering is for men…to building messaging businesses from scratch across three companies…to closing landmark deals with
Episode 82: Wade & Koddi Dunn, Co-Founders of Love Mobile
"We didn't start a company and decide to give back. We decided to give back – and so we started a company!"– Wade & Koddi Dunn, Co-Founders of Love Mobile, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalA single mom. A single dad. A nine-hour online conversation that lasted until sunriseEighteen years of marriage, seven children, two companies, and one powerful idea –What if your monthly ph
Episode 81: Veni Folta, Chief Happiness Officer at The Inspired Action Group
“Life is an Adventure. Jump out of a Plane. Live your Ikigai. Find your Happy Place!” — Veni Folta, Chief Happiness Officer at The Inspired Action Group, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom Portuguese Macau to British Hong Kong to the United States…from a Category 5 hurricane that wiped out her dream job in a single day…to nearly three decades in telecom, two of them in international roaming…
Episode 80: Mike Mills, Managing Director (Service Providers) at Gamma
"I would tell my younger self – stop playing it safe. Be braver. Be bolder. And believe, really believe, that you are capable of more than you think!" – Mike Mills, Managing Director (Service Providers) at Gamma, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom handing out free internet CDs at a PC World store in the north of England…to discovering the company that built all the infrastructure b
Episode 79: Stephanie Lashley, VP Messaging at Bandwidth
"I have never once walked into a room and thought — I wonder if I belong here. And I want every woman in this industry to feel exactly the same way!" — Stephanie Lashley, VP Messaging Strategic Alliances & Infrastructure at Bandwidth, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a mother who came home and talked about telecom at the dinner table…to a young girl who grew up fascinated by
Episode 78: Deepesh Trivedi, CEO at UIB.ai
"I stumbled into sales. I stumbled into Facebook. I stumbled into Singapore and met my wife. And somehow, every stumble took me somewhere better!" — Deepesh Trivedi, CEO at UIB.ai, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a small town in North London called Watford…to employee number 20 at Facebook's London office…to the front row of WhatsApp's global expansion…to now leading a c
Episode 77: Natalia Derkach, Director of Carrier Relations & Sales at Nuetech Stack
"I've worked in telecom, in modeling, in hairdressing. Every single one taught me the same thing — show up, stay calm, and finish the job!"— Natalia Derkach, Director of Carrier Relations & Sales at Nuetech Stack, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom the snow-covered streets of Novosibirsk, Siberia…to the neon-lit corridors of Seoul, South Korea…to the fast-moving world of ca
Episode 76: Santiago Marquez, CEO at Wholesale Congress Series
"I want to learn early to slow down and enjoy the journey. Sometimes we spend many years focused on moving forward — and only later do you realize how important it is to pause, appreciate the process, and enjoy the moment." — Santiago Marquez, CEO at Wholesale Congress Series, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom selling ad space in a telecom magazine…to attending his first wholesale
Episode 75: Gina Perini, Chair of the Board and CEO at SOMOS
"I consider myself an artist! And early in my career, I realized — art and strategy have a lot in common. Both are about creativity, solving problems, conveying a vision, and making something interesting... or even beautiful!" — Gina Perini, Chair of the Board and CEO at SOMOS, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalWhat happens when a sharp intellectual property lawyer…gets handed a "
Episode 74: Andrey Anikin, CEO at Alaris Labs
“Sometimes your greatest journey begins with no plan — just curiosity, courage, and a leap of faith.”— Andrey Anikin, CEO at Alaris Labs, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalWhat happens when a linguist…becomes a schoolteacher…accidentally lands in technical support…and ends up building one of the most trusted telecom software companies in the world?You get a story like no other!In this episode of
Episode 73: Polina Gardo, Roaming Wholesale Manager at Rakuten Mobile
“I didn’t chase telecom out of passion — I chased it out of necessity... But somehow, telecom became the nicest devil I could have sold my soul to!” ✨— Polina Gardo, Roaming Wholesale Manager at Rakuten Mobile, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom studying analytical philosophy, logic, and existential risks…To navigating roaming wholesale at Rakuten Mobile…To finding grounding through nature,
Episode 72: Craig Lennon, Global Partnerships Lead at Google
“Learn to be a great teammate! I’ve played on teams where I was the best, and teams where I clearly wasn’t — and I learned a lot from both!” 🌍— Craig Lennon, Global Partnerships Lead at Google, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom growing up on the Jersey Shore surrounded by the telecom greats…To shaping the way phone numbers are administered in the U.S.…To leading Google’s global partnerships
Episode 71: Carla Oliveira, Head of Sales (Wholesale) at Go4Mobility
"I want to live to 150, and make every year to count — full of passion, gratitude, and laughter!” ❤️— Carla Oliveira, Head of Sales (Wholesale) at Go4Mobility, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom being born in Angola and raised in Portugal…To finding her calling in telecom — first in retail, then wholesale…From interning at Portugal Telecom to leading global sales at Go4Mobility…To becom
Episode 70: Rajdip Gupta, Founder & Managing Director at Route Mobile Limited
“Scale sensibly to sustain — that’s the only way to build a lasting company!” 🚀— Rajdip Gupta, Founder & Managing Director at Route Mobile Limited, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom bootstrapping Route Mobile in 2004 with just $2,000 and a second-hand PC…To building a $1.2 billion publicly listed global 'proficorn' (profitable unicorn) that is proudly 'Made in India, Built f
Episode 69: Vimal Odedra, Founder and Director at LIYF Limited
“Even when life strips you of everything familiar, you still carry the power to rise again!” 🌍— Vimal Odedra, Founder & Director at LiYF Limited, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom being born in Uganda and forced to flee as a child during Idi Amin’s expulsion…To starting over in England with nothing but resilience and hope…From building an IT career at British American Tobacco…To venturi
Episode 68: Mila Budylo, Chief Commercial Officer at BSG
"My wow moment hasn’t happened yet — and that’s what keeps me moving!" 🌟— Mila Budylo, Chief Commercial Officer at BSG, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom lecturing in linguistics to leading one of the industry’s most prominent A2P hubs…From juggling three jobs in Ukraine just to make ends meet…To stepping — almost by accident — into telecom, and never looking back…This is the stor
Episode 67: Eva Gildum, Managing Director at Yaana Solutions
"Curiosity, courage and listening — that's what being human is to me!" 🌟— Eva Gildum, Managing Director at Yaana Solutions, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a chance internship at Telia during Denmark’s GSM revolution…To learning the ropes in data & financial clearing at Dan Net…From employee #1 at NeuString (building analytics where none existed)…To today leading Yaana S
Episode 66: Andreas Felke, Board Advisor at IDM and AnyMessage
"You can sell a company — but you can’t sell the heart you’ve poured into it!" ❤️— Andreas Felke, Board Advisor at IDM and AnyMessage, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal.From a chance encounter with mobile messaging in a Coca‑Cola sweepstake… to building IDM into one of Europe’s largest telecom aggregators!From selling it to a global player… to the rare moment of buying it back years l
Episode 65: Simona Maga, Head of Sales and Operations Mobile Services at Sparkle
"Life is not a race. There is always time to grow, and always a chance to start again." 💫— Simona Maga, Head of Sales and Operations at Sparkle, in conversation with Anurag AggarwalFrom a small Italian town near the French border…To Brazil, Switzerland, the U.S., and back to Rome...From dreams of being a painter…To leading global telecom strategy at one of the most respected names in the
Episode 64: Sam Evans, Senior Managing Director at FTI Delta
“Mentor someone so one day they can be your boss!”– Sam Evans, Senior Managing Director at FTI Delta, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of Telecom🎙 Featured two years in a row in the Capacity Power 100 List, Sam isn’t just shaping telecom strategy — he’s shaping people, communities, and careers.In this new Humans of Telecom episode, we go beyond the polished boardrooms and in
Episode 63: Gisselle Ramirez, Sales Executive at Shred-it
“When there’s no space for you — make your own! When there’s no door — build one! Neurodiverse kids don’t need pity — they need opportunity!” – Gisselle Ramirez, Sales Executive at Shred-it, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal.From the bright aisles of RadioShack to impactful roles at T-Mobile, AT&T, Altice USA, and The Telecom Company, Gisselle has walked the talk in telecom! 📶But that’s onl
Episode 62: Richard Kwabena Asare, CEO at We2Stars Ghana
“If I leave this earth tomorrow, I want people to say I was truthful and compassionate!”– Richard Kwabena Asare, CEO at We2Stars, Ghana, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of TelecomToday, we spotlight the story of man who’s lived many lives and stayed true through them all! In this candid episode, Richard shares how a childhood fascination with cars and traffic-lights led to
Episode 61: Raluca Berchiu, CEO & Founder of CXM
Raluca Berchiu, CEO of CXM, shares her journey from Transylvania to Dubai, beginning with icy 5 a.m. swims and leading to the creation of a purpose-led business in telecom. In this episode of Humans of Telecom, she opens up about discipline, intuition, and the leap that changed everything.From childhood lessons on her grandmother’s balcony to leading CXM in one of the world’s fastest-growing marke
Episode 60: Jason Bryan, CEO at ROCCO Group
"One of my guiding principles in life is a quote by the famous Roman philosopher Seneca 'Many discoveries are reserved for ages still to come'... Be bold and stay curious!" Jason Bryan, CEO at ROCCO Group, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of Telecom.In this enriching episode, Jason shares the incredible journey of a man who has truly lived the telecom indus
Episode 59: Tina Donaldson, VP Strategy at netnumber
"I tend not to live in regret, because I truly believe every life experience helps shape who we are today."— Tina Donaldson, VP Strategy at netnumber, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of TelecomIn this captivating episode, Tina — an early innovator in the world of 'platform communications' — shares how a chance encounter at her mother’s charity baseball game and a lost bet l
Episode 58: Daniel Kurgan, CEO at Arelion
"If I had the power, I’d make the day 48 hours long — just to dive deeper into my passions and build even stronger human connections!” Daniel Kurgan, CEO at Arelion, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Founder of Humans of Telecom.In this engaging episode, Daniel reminisces his journey in telecom which spans over 25 years. Starting as an account manager and rising to top leadership role of
Episode 57: Romina Kaboorani, Director at G729
"Few people can say they’ve explored over 50 countries, earned 10 million Google views, and built a thriving career in one of the world’s most dynamic industries. There’s more to me than meets the eye!” Romina Kaboorani, Director at G729, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this engaging episode, Romina — a powerhouse in the telecom industry with ne
Episode 56: Matthew Whalley, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Ilex Content Strategies
"From freelancing as an entertainment writer to becoming the editor of Capacity Magazine, my journey has been anything but ordinary!" Matthew Whalley, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Ilex Content Strategies, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this engaging episode, Matthew takes us on a journey through his life—from growing up in Vancouver to m
Episode 55: Anzelle Robertson, Programme Director at Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF)
"I would want to be remembered as someone who didn't 'give crumbs'... To quote from a poem - joy was not made to be a crumb!" – Anzelle Robertson, Programme Director at Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF).
In this engaging episode, Anzelle – an expert in Mobile Payments and Digital Content – recounts her unexpected start at a law firm specializing in road accident claims. Passionate about public speakin
Episode 54: Vladimir Smal, Co-Founder & CEO at AVISO Messaging
"A chance encounter thanks to a previous part-time job at a souvenir shop led to my entry into telecom... And there's been no looking back since!" Vladimir Smal, Co-Founder & CEO at AVISO Messaging, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this insightful episode, Vladimir - one of ROCCO IOO's top 25 influential professionals global
Episode 53: Nassia Skoulikariti, Founder & CEO at Apiro Data
"I have always believed that the voyage through life is more important than the destination... Experiencing and conquering the most difficult obstacles enriches us with wisdom, knowledge and maturity!" Nassia Skoulikariti, Founder & CEO at Apiro Data, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this exciting episode, Nassia takes us through he
Episode 52: Adis Ceman, Co-Founder & COO at GramBell
"From trading Pokémon stickers in elementary school to revolutionizing the industry with my current startup, life has truly come a long way!" Adis Ceman, Co-Founder & COO at GramBell, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this amazing conversation, Adis shares his rich blend of cultural experiences: born in Croatia to Montenegrin parents
Episode 51: Amira Akra, Product Manager (Messaging) at Vodafone Germany
"A conversation with Mountasser Hachem profoundly impacted my career when he asked if my hobby was merely collecting certificates and degrees!" Amira Akra, Product Manager (Messaging) at Vodafone Germany, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this captivating episode, Amira shares insights into her Lebanese and German roots, her experience g
Episode 50: Vinod Kumar, Vice Chairman at Everstone Group
"Anger, regret and envy... These are wasted emotions! While I've had my share of ups and downs, life has been a complete blast!" Vinod Kumar, Vice Chairman Everstone Group (former CEO Tata Communications and former CEO Vodafone Business), in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
As Humans of Telecom celebrates a milestone of completing fifty episodes, we w
Episode 49: Wida Schmidt, Co-Founder at Carrier Community
"I always dreamed of starting something of my own. What I manage today is a true extension of my passion!" says Wida Schmidt, Co-Founder of Carrier Community, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this captivating episode, Wida shares her journey from being born in Afghanistan and raised in Russia to settling in the vibrant city of Berlin, G
Episode 48: TJ Thinakaran, Founder and CEO at CasselRoad Consulting
"For me, life is all about forging connections. We meet many people on this journey, and through these encounters, we build countless meaningful and impactful relationships," says TJ Thinakaran, Founder and CEO of CasselRoad Consulting, in a conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this captivating episode, TJ — a self-proclaimed 'army brat
Episode 47: Nadia Habsatou, Project Engineer at Camtel Cameroon
"If I could revisit my past, I'd go back to school and train to become a teacher, because this profession empowers humans to have a powerful impact on the community around them!" Nadia Habsatou, Project Engineer at Camtel Cameroon in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this captivating episode, Nadia shares her multifaceted identity beyon
Episode 46: Carlos Aragon, Senior Director Product Marketing at Vonage
"We don't choose our orientation, but it's crucial for all of us to accept who we are and whom we love!" Carlos Aragon, Senior Director Product Marketing at Vonage, shares his sentiments in a conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS. As Pride Month unfolds worldwide, Humans of Telecom engages with an inspiring individual whose life and career a
Episode 45: Tamara AL Bakri, Head of Roaming & Carrier Services at Vodafone Qatar
"Everything we do should have a purpose... Each day is a chance to make a small difference and leave the world a little brighter than we found it!" Tamara AL Bakri, Head of Roaming & Carrier Services at Vodafone Qatar in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this captivating episode, Tamara recounts her remarkable journey, originating from
Episode 44: Scott Warner, Director of Emerging Services at S and BTS
"I attribute a great deal of my success to the incredible coaches and mentors who have guided me along the way. If there's one thing I aspire to do, it's to pay forward that same level of support and guidance to those in my community!" Scott Warner, Director of Emerging Services at S and BTS in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this
Episode 43: Lilia Yeghiazaryan, Co-Founder & CEO at Dexatel
"I don't believe in the term 'work-life balance', for me it is all LIFE... No matter what you do, if you do it with passion, you ultimately achieve success!" Lilia Yeghiazaryan, Co-Founder & CEO at Dexatel in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this episode, Lilia walks us through her journey which started with a job in financ
Episode 42: Budi Purba, Chief Executive Officer at TELIN
"One of my biggest learnings in life... Take care of your people and let the people take care of the business!" Budi Purba, Chief Executive Officer at TELIN in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this episode, we feature one of the most respected and loved CEOs within our telecom fraternity! Pak Budi shares about his humble beginnings of grow
Episode 41: Gagun Gahir, Head of Enterprise Sales (Europe) at Telstra
"I call telecom the 'Club of Lost Souls' because we have such fabulous people in this industry who come from different walks of life and have such varied interests!" Gagun Gahir, Head of Enterprise Sales (Europe) at Telstra in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Revenue Officer (Enterprise) at GMS.
In this episode, Gagun walks us through her rich African-Indian heritage, he
Episode 40: Tony Jamous, Co-Founder and CEO at Oyster
"My childhood entailed growing in a post civil-war era in Lebanon with no cellular network... That enticed me into the world of telecom!" Tony Jamous, Co-Founder and CEO at Oyster in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices.
In this episode, Tony walks us through his journey which started in Lebanon all the way upto Cyprus now, creating ripples in th
Episode 39: Gwen Lafage, Vice President Marketing, Global Brand and Content at Sinch
"I’m passionate about marketing and building brave brands - more than a 9-5 job, it’s also an avenue to express my creativity and create business impact!" Gwen Lafage, Vice President Marketing, Global Brand and Content at Sinch in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices.
In this episode, Gwen walks us through her journey and experience of entering th
Episode 38: Nick Lane, Founder and Chief Messaging Officer and Jo Lane, Client Services & Communications Director at Mobilesquared
"While Mobilesquared started fifteen years ago more as a 'lifestyle thing', we've evolved into a fully fledged data business with the best yet to come (watch out for some BIG news next year)!" Hear the dynamic duo of the messaging space - Nick Lane, Founder and Chief Messaging Officer and Jo Lane, Client Services & Communications Director at Mobilesquared in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chie
Episode 37: Pinder Takhar, Director Product Marketing at Kaleyra
"I never thought this could happen with me... But I now live my second life to the fullest!" In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Humans of Telecom presents the story of Pinder Takhar, Director Product Marketing at Kaleyra in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices.
In this episode, Pinder acts as a beacon of positivity as she walks us thr
Episode 36: Pablo Mlikota, Senior Vice President International Mobility at Etisalat UAE
"Life is all about passion... Whether it is in sports or education, what matters to me is the legacy I leave behind for future generations!" Pablo Mlikota, Senior Vice President International Mobility at Etisalat UAE in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices.
In this episode, we uncover the various facets of Pablo (way too many to uncover in a sin
Episode 35: Maria Öbrink, Head of Sales at Telenor Linx
"It has been nearly two decades at Telenor Linx for me and this telecom community is now more than a family!" Maria Öbrink, Head of Sales at Telenor Linx in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Maria joins us from the Nordic lands of Stockholm and walks us through her journey of transitioning from a drab job of selling Yellow Pag
Episode 34: Dario Betti, Chief Executive Officer at Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF)
"While my roots lie in Tuscany in Italy, I consider myself a global citizen with a family of friends and industry colleagues spread around the world!" Dario Betti, Chief Executive Officer at Mobile Ecosystem Forum in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, you shall hear the honest confessions of a CEO, as Dario spills the beans in a chat wit
Episode 33: Wangeci Kanjama, Director Partnerships at M-PESA Africa
"I take immense pride in my rich heritage of descending from the Maasai warriors and Kikuyu people of Kenya!" Wangeci Kanjama, Director Partnerships at M-PESA Africa in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Wangeci shares her interests in finance which led to her entry in Safaricom, how she has seen the company, country and contin
Episode 32: Uku Tomikas, CEO & Managing Partner at Messente Communications
"In my youth, I studied law and dreamt of becoming a judge... but life had other plans!" Uku Tomikas, CEO & Managing Partner at Messente Communications, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Uku walks us through his diverse and multi-faceted journey entailing starting as a waiter and performer, moving onto becoming a platoo
Episode 31: Cheryl Ruck, Associate Director at Expand Group
"At a point in my life, my daily work routine entailed crossing an enclosure of monkeys and working with elephants at a zoo!" Cheryl Ruck, Associate Director at Expand Group, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Cheryl walks us through her experiences of touching lives as a leading telecom recruiter, her marriage to a national
Episode 30: Patrick George, Group Chief Strategy Officer at iBASIS
"I'm the son of a psychoanalyst and a psychology teacher... I thrive on every opportunity to interact with people and that's what I love about this industry!" Patrick George, Group Chief Strategy Officer at iBASIS, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Patrick talks about his experience of working with his first boss -
Episode 29: Sarah Barakat, Deputy Director Operator Partnerships at Monty Mobile
"I might appear very strong, independent and business-like in conferences, however, beneath that lies my human side of being a very delicate and sensitive individual!" Sarah Barakat, Deputy Director Operator Partnerships at Monty Mobile, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Sarah walks us through her journey of growing up in a
Episode 28: Anthony Bartolo, Chief Operating Officer at Bandwidth
“Throughout my career journey, I have focused on creating lasting bonds and meaningful connections with friends and colleagues" says Anthony Bartolo, Chief Operating Officer at Bandwidth, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Anthony gives us a glimpse of how his life took many unexpected turns... Whether it was growing up in Austra
Episode 27: Sinziana Dulama, Marketing Manager at ZARIOT
"I believe the essence of humanity lies in spirituality, being grounded and living in the moment!" Sinziana Dulama, Marketing Manager at ZARIOT, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Sinzy walks us through her journey across Romania, UK and Spain, her multi-faceted background of being a Radio Host, an Assistant Producer in a TV
Episode 26: Waheed Adam, Executive Chairperson at iTouch
"When I'm not around anymore, I'd like the world to remember me for my energy and the inspiration I created through my work... even my failures!" Waheed Adam, Executive Chairperson at iTouch and Global Board Member at Mobile Ecosystem Forum, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Waheed walks us through his multi-cultura
Episode 25: Annabel Helm, Managing Director at ITW Global Leaders' Forum
"I have once convinced a mugger to return my purse... THAT is the power of words!" Annabel Helm, Managing Director at ITW Global Leaders' Forum and BroadGroup, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Annabel walks us through her diverse origins and personal events that have 'matured' her over the years, her profession
Episode 24: Obaid Rahman, Head of Wholesale at Axiata Group
"While I've made my impact and contribution in the telecom space, I now aspire to continue the legacy of my parents to bring a smile on the faces of special people around me!" Obaid Rahman, Head of Wholesale at Axiata Group, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Obaid opens up about his journey spanning across four continen
Episode 23: Reuma Halal Shibi, Founder & CEO at Pair Recruitment
"Having battled and successfully won over a life-threatening cancer, I now dedicate my professional journey to enriching the lives of all others around me!" Reuma Halal Shibi, Founder and CEO at Pair Recruitment, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Reuma talks about her second life and how she lives it to the fullest... Wheth
Episode 22: Dario Calogero, Founder & CEO at Kaleyra
"This is yet another new beginning for Kaleyra in a constantly evolving world!" Dario Calogero, Founder and CEO at Kaleyra, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Dario shares his emotions after the recently announced acquisition of Kaleyra by Tata Communications, his passion for sailing, his love for cycling and his zest for en
Episode 21: Stephanie Fleury, Entrepreneur and Diversity Advocate and Bruna Infurna, Head of Global Strategic Accounts Latin America at LinkedIn
"When I sold my first entrepreneurial venture, it was a life-changing experience at many levels... Amongst other things, my wife Bruna publicly congratulated me on LinkedIn for the first time! While the world has changed a lot in the last two decades, and it's easier now to be from the LGBTQIA+ community, there are still many challenges to conquer and mindsets to evolve!" As the worl
Episode 20: José García, CEO at Global Telco Consult (GTC)
"Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with my dear friend Giovanni Benini has helped me achieve a sense of satisfaction and immense freedom!" José García, CEO at Global Telco Consult (GTC), in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, José talks about how he started his messaging career with Tyntec and kickstarted his own venture w
Episode 19: Sarah Keller, Chief Global Enterprise Officer at Global Message Services (GMS)
"I have been held at gunpoint whilst in a taxi in London!" Sarah Keller, Chief Global Enterprise Officer at Global Message Services, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Sarah gets into her fun element and walks us through her journey of difficult bosses, the art of fencing, dealing with the Imposter Syndrome, and even her exp
Episode 18: Sergio Rodrigues, Commercial Director at Annecto Telecom
"At one stage in my career, I have seen more of my industry friends around the globe, than my own family...!" Sergio Rodrigues, Commercial Director at Annecto Telecom, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Sergio shares how he was introduced to the world of CPaaS by Kuba Rusztowicz at JT Group Limited, how it's like having
Episode 17: Nikki Popoola, Sales Director West Africa at WIOCC
"I have once been detained in Gabon for 15 hours... An Army Officer had to intervene to have me released...!" Nikki Popoola, Sales Director West Africa at WIOCC, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode, Nikki recounts some of her roller-coaster tales from the African continent, how it feels to emerge victorious in a battle against
Episode 16: Nicholas Soo, ex-Senior Vice President at TELIN
"For me, career implies 'LEGACY'... As I leave TELIN and move ahead, I hope that I have left my mark on the business and am remembered for it!" Nicholas Soo, ex-Senior Vice President at TELIN, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. As Nich exits out of TELIN after a stellar stint in the company, he gives us a glimpse of what has been his
Episode 15: Luanna Luna, Senior Sales Executive at China Mobile International (UK)
"Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones is a powerful character I aspire to emulate!" Luanna Luna, Senior Sales Executive at China Mobile International (UK), in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode Luanna gives us a glimpse of growing up in the exotic and sunny country Brazil, what she finds most exciting about the world of CPaaS a
Episode 14: Kevin Nethercott, Managing Partner at CPaaS Acceleration Alliance
"A single hour at an Expo changed my entire life and career trajectory!" Kevin Nethercott, Managing Partner at CPaaS Acceleration Alliance, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode Kevin walks us through his times in the land of the rising sun Japan, living the life of a COWBOY with his Grandpa at the cattle ranches in Jackson Hole
Episode 13: Isabelle Paradis, Founder and President at HOT TELECOM
"My childhood ambition was to become a ballerina! I came close enough by becoming a high caliber figure skater!" Isabelle Paradis, Founder and President at HOT TELECOM, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode Isabelle talks about how she has been a disruptor all her life and pushed boundaries, how she stumbled into telecom via Tel
Episode 12: Sam Chiwanda, Founder and CEO at Click Mobile
"I literally cried when my first potential customer withdrew his order! With creditors on my back, parents unable to understand my career choices and no clear revenue streams in my business, things didn't seem too promising..." Sam Chiwanda, Founder and CEO at Click Mobile, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. In this episode Sam talks abo
Episode 11: Pallavi Kudtarkar, Executive Director at Globe Teleservices
"Hailing from a small town in India, it is my dream to support underprivileged girls in their quest for education and sustainable careers and (Godwilling!) some day feature in the Forbes 40-under-40 list as well!" Pallavi Kudtarkar, Executive Director at Globe Teleservices, in conversation with Anurag Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Globe Teleservices. This episode brings us the story
