Lifting Up: Lessons From Verizon Women Leaders

Ellen Cummings is Regional Director for External & State Government Affairs at Verizon. In this episode, Ellen shares some of the many lessons she’s learned along the way, including the importance of asking for help, collaborating with others and advocating for herself while navigating her career. Ellen’s wisdom encourages listeners to be a sponge and learn as much as possible - not just through traditional means such as books, news articles, professional resources - but also from relationships with peers, mentors, and supervisors in your career.

Rachel Juliana is Public Sector Counsel at Verizon. Prior to joining the Public Sector group, she worked with the Wireline Product Marketing Legal Team after coming to Verizon from other tech companies. In this episode, Rachel shares her resilient story of adapting to change, navigating her career path, honoring her late daughter, and campaigning for her position as an elected official. Rachel is truly a champion in all that she's overcome and accomplished, reminding us how change has the power to energize and grow us.

Julie Hines is Chief of Staff to the General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer at Verizon. She is also the head of Legal Operations and Innovation. Julie shares her unpredicted journey of creating a fascinating career across many areas from business development to legal operations management. In this episode, Julie shares her nonlinear path that started in business school, leading her to the next challenge and innovating positions and titles along the way. Julie is a trailblazer that's illuminated an incredibly unique career path. The wisdom she's gained reminds us to follow your passion and strengths - even if that leads you outside of the box.

April Boyd is VP and Head of Global Public Policy At Verizon Media. April shares her fascinating career in politics, from working as Press Secretary and Chief of Staff for Rep. Tauscher, to Chief of Staff for Sen. John Kerry, to being appointed as Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Commerce Department. She shares her story of being the then-youngest Senate-confirmed nominee while having a newborn baby. As she explains, work-life balance isn't something that comes with a job, but rather something you have to create for yourself. April gives advice on the importance of being bold, decisive, and taking pride in your work - with a dash of modesty for grounding. 

Kacey Hall, an attorney in Verizon's litigation group, can only be described as resilient, determined and full of grace.  In this episode, Kacey shares her inspiring story of crafting her own career path, even after life interfered and put her on a different timeline. Shaped by the resilience she developed as a gymnast competing on the world stage, Kacey describes dealing with major injury, the role of mentors in her career, and how she builds confidence and tackles self-doubt to help her succeed to this day.

Beth Sasfai is VP and Associate General Counsel of Corporate Governance at Verizon. In this episode, Beth shares the many jumps she's made in her career to thrive in her current role - but that her proudest accomplishment is in helping bring other women into new roles and opportunities. Beth explains how she learned the importance of getting comfortable not knowing the answer, and being vulnerable in asking for help and not hiding her weaknesses - and how that has become a powerful tool. 

Laura Stolpman is Associate General Counsel at Verizon, where she has spent fourteen years as a deal attorney, is on the board of directors of the LGBTQ employee resource group, and has developed an expertise in privacy issues. In this episode, Laura talks about how she escaped the "imposter syndrome" and being paralyzed with perfectionism. She talks about diving into the uncomfortable and acknowledging what you need as an individual to be your best. And she shares how her hobbies - including food photography and fishing - help her recharge and feed her lifetime love of learning.

Caren Khoo is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Verizon. In this episode, Caren shares that she is not a believer of the typical "find your passion" career trope, but provides advice on how to have an interesting, challenging and satisfying career. Caren shares her experiences with having a personal board of directors, getting comfortable with not knowing the answer, and having a learning mindset. Ultimately, Caren explains that the greatest pride of her career has been helping others achieve their goals, while learning a lot about herself in the process.  

Vandana Venkatesh, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Verizon, shares how curiosity and an eye for macrotrends and emerging issues has driven her career journey. She talks about the importance of being vulnerable and knowing there are no stupid questions, and shares advice on leaving perfectionism behind and giving up on the mythical idea of balance. Rather, Vandana recommends living in the mess, identifying tasks that can be delegated by asking, "Is this something only I can do?," and focusing on what matters most.  

Stacee Carson, Global Trade Compliance Manager, shares her story of advancing at Verizon by seizing every opportunity.  Moving up from contractor, then executive assistant, Stacee impressed in every position and worked her way all the way up to her current position -- which she applied for even though she didn't meet all of the criteria in the job description. Never letting fear stand in her way, Stacee says, "Even if I felt like I was afraid, I would just do it afraid." Listen and get inspired to take a leap of faith and go for it!  

Michelle Ifill is the Senior VP and General Counsel for Verizon's Corporate Services Group and the Information Technology Organization. Michelle shares the evolution of her career, and how she is channeling her inspiring energy not just into work, but also efforts to lift up other women. Learn how to make boundaries to help discover what brings you joy and professional fulfillment.

Micki Chen is Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the Verizon Global Network and Technology Organization, supervising the attorneys who support the wireless and wireline networks, technology and IT. Among the projects that her team supports are One Fiber, 5G, Network Transformation, and Big Data/Artificial Intelligence. In this episode of Lifting Up, Micki describes the zigzagged road of her career, the difference between school and the real world, and the power of learning/curiosity. Hear how Micki pushed herself to go outside of her comfort zone to find fun and success in her career journey. 

Allie Kline is the CMO of Oath, the parent company created by Verizon to house the AOL and Yahoo assets.  She also heads up MAKERS, an Oath brand focused on empowering women and the next generation through video, sharing the experiences and stories of trailblazing women leaders, past and present. Allie shares her fascinating career journey and lessons learned as she ascended to the C-Suite. Learn about the importance of using your mind to its maximum potential rather than letting your thoughts hold you back and why everyone should get comfortable being uncomfortable!    

Donna Epps is Verizon’s Vice President for Public Policy and Strategic Alliances. She manages Verizon’s domestic public policy efforts and relationships with strategic partners. In this episode, Donna shares how relationships have been key to her career success: building relationships counts as one of Donna's super powers, having started to develop her skills from a young age as the daughter of a United Methodist minister. Learn about the twists and turns of Donna's career path and why you should take that stretch assignment!

Kathy Grillo is Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Public Policy and Government Affairs, with responsibility for Verizon's public policy, federal and state legislative and regulatory affairs, antitrust and privacy, and strategic alliances. Listen to get inspired by Kathy's career journey, and learn the tricks she uses to stay centered. Hear how Kathy doesn't let fear stand in her way and learn why you should just "buy the ticket"!