ALEX REICHL, Chapter vice-President

Director Mobile Strategy & Innovation, Liberty Global

An economist by education, Alex Reichl has spent her career in the TMT sector, working across Consultancy and Strategy. Key areas of interest are in Mobile and Networks, where she has worked for and alongside a number of European regulators, operators and industry advisory bodies.

Her current role, as Director of Mobile Strategy and Innovation allows her to lean into her appetite for effecting change on a business level and she looks forward to working with WICT to do similar at a more personal level for others across the industry

Outside of work, Alex enjoys taking advantage of all the Theatre and restaurant opportunities living in London provides – balancing with a love of running developed over the Covid lockdowns that has motivated her around a number of European marathon courses

Valentina Kovaluk joined Liberty Global in July 2022 as Finance Director in the Treasury Team, leaving her almost 12 years of legal career behind and joining the wonderful world of finance. Previously, Valentina was a solicitor at Virgin Media O2 for more than 5 years covering B2B, consumer, marketing and treasury roles. Prior to joining O2, Valentina worked as Senior Associate in the Corporate Finance team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London and as Associate at Allen & Overy where she began her legal career as a structured finance lawyer in the Debt Capital Markets team. Valentina earned an MA in law from Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia and completed a post-graduate conversion to law at the University of Law in London.

 In her spare time Valentina enjoys spending time with her family, as well as diving, open water swimming and cycling.

Esther oseni, Chapter Secretary

Senior Manager M&A and Corporate Development, Liberty Global

Esther Oseni began her career as an Investment Banker at Citigroup in the Power and Utilities team in London. During her time at Citigroup, she moved to South Africa and worked in the South African Mergers and Acquisitions team, which focussed on investments across the region in the Tech, Media and Telecom space. Esther is currently a part of the M&A and Corporate Development team at Liberty Global which is responsible for the Group’s global mergers and acquisitions and business development activities.

Esther graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Politics and Economics. In her spare time she enjoys exploring the world, outdoor adventures and being out on the tennis court.

Carmen Chai, website & media co-chair

External Communications Manager, Liberty Global

Carmen Chai began her career as a journalist, reporting for some of the largest media outlets in Canada, including the Toronto Star, the National Post, and the Vancouver Province. She was a health reporter at TV station, Global News, where she received four awards for her storytelling.

At Liberty Global, she writes news, features, and insights pieces spanning a variety of topics, such as technology, innovation, and sustainability. Before Liberty, Carmen was a PR & communications manager at UK Research and Innovation, where she focused on publicising government-funded research and the brilliant scientists behind the work.

A native of Toronto, Carmen has lived in Vancouver and Paris and has called London home since 2017. Outside of the office, Carmen loves spending time with her family, running in the park with her partner, and cooking, baking and trying new restaurants.

GILDA LEICER AVILA, SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDRAISING CO-CHAIR

Digital Journey Manager for Mobile CRO at Virgin Media

Gilda Leicer Avila delivers digital change and optimisation that increase conversion of VM’s Mobile offering. With online being an important growing channel, she is passionate about bringing new ideas that deliver amazing experiences to our customers and help them in their journey to join VM Mobile.

With an engineering degree and over 18 years of experience working in IT, she started her career in the telecommunications industry in 2017. A supporter and believer of women’s success in a male dominated industry, her objective is to support women in becoming leaders and help transform the industry.

Colin Miles, Sponsorship and Fundraising Co-chair

SVP, Global Deployment at Afiniti

Colin Miles is the Senior Vice President for Afiniti’s Global Delivery Organisation & also leads Afiniti’s Global Infrastructure Organisation.

Colin has over a 20 year successful track record of large scale business transformation & operational ownership. Delivering multi-year cross geography transformation within the Telecoms and Media industry with Virgin Media and Liberty Global. Most recently was the Vice President Data Centre Technology at Liberty Global with end to end accountability from strategy through to operations of all Data Centre, Networks, Network Security, Contact Centre Technology & Digital Workplace technologies.

Colin is also a board advisor to two technology companies and in his spare time is avid snow boarder and a fan of horse racing and part horse owner.

SARAH WOOD, PROGRAMME Co-Chair

Account Executive at Cap Gemini

Sarah Wood Sarah is an accomplished business consultant and sales professional with a proven track record in delivering tangible outcomes to her clients. With over 25 years’ experience in telecommunications Sarah has delivered a variety of programmes of work for her clients across IT, digital, consumer, business and security portfolios.  She has worked for several major consulting organisations including CGI and NTT DATA and is currently an Account Executive for Capgemini within their Telco Media and Technology Solutions (TMTS) market unit. In this role Sarah is supporting her telco and media clients with digital transformation, 5G, data and AI solutions.

Sarah is a Diversity and Inclusion ambassador who has supported numerous initiatives over the years to promote equality and equity for her teams. She has been a Programme Partner and mentor for the 30% Club, the Chair of the Women’s Business Network whilst at NTT DATA and a WICT executive member for the past three years.

Outside of work Sarah enjoys staying active and loves to play netball, ski and cycle.

Monika Nowak-Toporowicz joined Virgin Media Ireland in November 2021, as Chief Technology Information Officer, where she leads the Tech Solutions department, comprising of Network Planning and Engineering, Service Excellence, Security Assurance, Technology Operations and Technology Transformation.

Monika has been associated with innovative technology industries, initially in Poland, with almost 20 years of management experience in the areas of development, delivery, and maintenance of services, as well as project and program management in strategic areas of the organisation.

A strong advocate for gender diversity in the IT and engineering community, Monika has also been active in the Technology in Skirt association which aims to promote diversity in the technological environment by supporting ambitious, talented, and valuable women in achieving success in the professional and private field. 

Monika enjoys spending her downtime with her two children, who absolutely fascinate her, and loves to watch them grow and develop as individuals. She also likes to go skiing, diving, hiking in the mountains and meeting friends. It is important for Monika to be active and have people she trusts around her.

KAREN LANGLEY, MEMBERSHIP Co-Chair

Vice President Digital Strategy & Architecture at Liberty Global

Karen Langley is the Vice President Digital Strategy & Architecture since 2020, previously Vice President of Integration & Operations &  European Director of Systems Integration.  She moved to Liberty Global from Virgin Media (now VMO2) where she served as the Head of Virgin Mobile for IT and Technology.  She has always worked in the Technology working up from software tester and believes that having woman at the table creates valuable products and services and makes Technology inclusive.

She is a Neurodiversity and Woman representative, cofounding the ND network in VM highlighting the gamut of neurodiversity and the impacts for employees and their families.  By creating visibility engagement in this space rocketed and led to changes in policy and heightened understanding of the barriers for ND people at work.  She has also participating in many Women’s networks from teen years and is currently active in grassroots feminist network. 

She lives in Glasgow and is Scottish Italian with her husband, two teenagers, mum, cat and dog.

SARAH GOLLEY, MENTORING CO-CHAIR

Founder & Director of Borderless Performance

Sarah Golley is the founder of Borderless Performance and is passionate about providing executive coaching, mentoring and leadership training solutions to individuals as well as corporate clients. Sarah guides her coaching and mentoring clients to identify their goals and works to enable them to identify the necessary steps to achieve them.

Prior to starting her company, Sarah gained extensive leadership experience as Vice President in the IT & Telecoms industry. She has specialised in leading transformation and change delivery teams across the UK and Europe, most recently during her time with Virgin Media and Liberty Global.

Coaching and mentoring is the perfect marriage of Sarah’s vast leadership and project delivery experience, as well as her love and passion for people.

Rachel lambert, MENTORING Co-CHAIR

Head of People, Virgin Media O2

Rachel Lambert is Head of People at Virgin MediaO2.  Having worked in HR for over twenty years, with over twelve in Communications & Technology she has extensive experience working with both senior and aspiring leaders. 

She has a huge passion for leadership team effectiveness and development and truly believes that mentoring is a huge part of teaming and being an effective leader.  Having personally experienced brilliant mentoring and the benefits it has had to her career and personal development she is a real advocate for mentoring. 

She has been privileged enough to both mentor others and be involved in establishing mentoring relationships.  Having repeatedly witnessed the positive difference mentoring can make to people’s lives both professionally and personally she is excited to support WICT members on their mentoring journey. 

Francesca Armstrong-smith, events Co-CHAIR

Events Director, Little Feet Events

alice shattock, digital events Co-CHAIR

Business Manager, Virgin Media O2

eve ronson, early careers liaison

Transformation Analyst, Virgin Media O2

Francesca Armstrong-Smith is a seasoned Event Manager with extensive experience across industries including media, finance, and service. During her tenure at Liberty Global and Virgin Media, Francesca successfully managed a wide range of events, including internal TV channel launches, conferences, and gala dinners.

Francesca is also a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, having co-led an employee resource group to foster a safer and more inclusive work environment. Her passion for people and commitment to continuous growth and excellence are evident in all her endeavours.

Francesca lives in South London with her partner and three dogs and is always planning her next adventure in her beloved campervan, Julie Vandrews.

Alice Shattock joined Virgin Media in 2019 after completing a graduate scheme in the defence industry. Since joining the business Alice has had numerous roles across Planning, Transformation and Commercial. Currently she works as Business Manager to the MD of Network Expansion.  

Alice graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She lives in Wimbledon with her partner and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her friends and family, exploring London, travelling and keeping fit by going to the gym. 

Eve Ronson began her journey with Liberty Global in 2022 through the People Graduate Scheme, gaining experience in both London and Yorkshire. She is currently on secondment with Virgin Media O2, contributing to their People Strategy and Transformation Team. Eve holds a master’s degree in social policy from Liverpool Hope University (2022) and has a post-graduate qualification in HR. Outside of the office, Eve is a certified LTA tennis coach, an avid theatre enthusiast, and a passionate supporter of the Women’s Prize for Fiction.