At Bandwidth IG, our top priority is to provide a modern, mission-critical dark fiber network across the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Atlanta and Greater Portland. To do that, we need to have the smartest, hardest-working people thoughtfully developing a superior network and serving our customers. And to do that, we rely on a diverse network of professionals, including women in the technology industry, who bring different perspectives and skill sets to our company.
As Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet famously said:
“A diverse mix of voices leads to better discussions, decisions, and outcomes for everyone.”
Recognizing the need for a diverse perspective, Bandwidth IG places great value on hiring women for key roles. While women make up nearly half of the global workforce, the amount of women in technology is much lower at approximately 25%. Studies show that women don’t consider careers in technology in part because of a lack of female role models in the field. We have been challenging that status quo since our inception, and we don’t plan to stop.
In honor of International Women’s Day, a day that celebrates the achievements of women everywhere, we shine a spotlight on three women who work tirelessly to help us build a strong network and meet the goals of our customers. In some cases, some of our female leaders are mentoring other women in technology (hint: read on and you’ll see what we mean!).
Emily Bennett, Vice President of Sales
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
My role involves all aspects of revenue creation and customer relations for our small, but mighty business. Naturally, this includes leading our sales team and helping them deepen their customer engagements.
What has your career journey been and how did you get involved in the tech industry?
I’m dating myself by saying this, but my first job in telecom sales was with MCI. My plan was to get some sales experience, then return to a marketing role in a law firm. Being a naturally curious person, I found an affinity for tech and telecom. I never left and I’ve never looked back.
What led you to working with Bandwidth IG?
Dark fiber infrastructure is our sole focus at Bandwidth IG. Customers that deploy dark fiber infrastructure do so with great care. As a result, our business lends itself to much more strategic conversations, which I really enjoy.
What do you like most about being part of the tech world?
The industry is always evolving and growing. Who knew when I started selling “minutes” in the pre-cellphone days that our lives would end up dependent on the transfer of massive amounts of data. Bandwidth IG’s infrastructure is a fundamental piece of how people go about their daily lives. While not super interesting for a cocktail party conversation, it’s cool to be part of something that has a major impact on so many aspects of our lives.
Do you have a woman in the tech field that you admire? If so, who is it and why?
Kris Bennett with Google Fiber, Kat Roney with Microsoft, and Kristi Goodson with TVA come to mind. They are super knowledgeable in the infrastructure space, and I really admire their openness, honesty and integrity – all have been a joy to work with.
Abbi Dayton, General Counsel
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I cover everything legal-related, which can be just about anything!
What has your career journey been and how did you get involved in the tech industry?
After attending law school in Montana, I started my legal career as a civil litigator doing insurance defense work in California before moving to Colorado. After doing similar litigation work in Denver, I applied for a job at in-house counsel at Zayo Group, a global bandwidth provider. I didn’t have strong knowledge of telecom or dark fiber, however my mom worked in the telecom industry for 20 years, so I had heard some common terms from her over the years. My mom, of course, knew Zayo. She was thrilled that I had an opportunity to join the industry. Lucky for me, the hiring attorney at Zayo took a chance by saying, “You can learn the telecom stuff; your legal experience is why we want you.”
What led you to working with Bandwidth IG?
A former mentor and boss at Zayo asked if I would be interested in applying. After hearing about the company and what they were doing, I had to say yes.
What challenges do you think women in tech face most and why?
As with a lot of industries, there are still very few women leaders in top-level management and executive positions to mentor other women seeking those challenging roles. I think that’s changing, and I see more and more inspiring women reaching higher positions, leading the way for the next generation, and redefining what a C-suite or board room looks like.
What do you like most about being part of the tech world?
I love seeing the passion that people have for connecting their customers to the digital world, something that impacts the lives of so many.
Misha Osoteo, Business Operations Manager
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I organize data and coordinate activities from various departments. I help with developing and updating standard operating procedures for the company, and I support all department heads however I can. We’re a small team, so we wear multiple hats!
What has your career journey been and how did you get involved in the tech industry?
I have always been fascinated with technology and wanted to learn more about the telecom industry. My career with Bandwidth IG started in late 2019. Emily Bennett, our Vice President of Sales, was looking for sales support and the rest is history.
What led you to working with Bandwidth IG?
I met with Emily and Mark Elder, our Chief Financial Officer, during my interview process, and I saw the potential growth of the business. My curiosity about telecom and, of course, the people behind Bandwidth IG led me to working with the company.
How has Bandwidth IG supported you as a woman in tech?
Everyone in the company is incredibly supportive and gives equal opportunities to women. My interview process is a perfect example. I didn’t have experience in the field, but our leaders recognized my eagerness to be a part of the mission and they gave me the opportunity. I’m so glad that they did.
What do you like most about being part of the tech world?
New technologies are introduced every year, and companies like Bandwidth IG play a big role in powering those innovations by providing the robust dark fiber networks through which they operate. Many people don’t realize that companies like ours provide the network connectivity that makes all of our lives easier by being able to quickly send emails, use GPS devices and so on.
Do you have a woman in the tech field that you admire? If so, who is it and why?
Lady Ada Lovelace, who is widely known as the first programmer and is often referred to as ‘prophet of the computer age’. Her work and discovery play a big role in our industry today.
I also look up to our very own Emily Bennett. She opened the door for me and let me be part of this industry. I most admire that she supports young and aspiring professionals, like me, and shares her knowledge of the industry.
Learn More About the Bandwidth IG Team
If you want to meet more women in technology and learn more about our highly experienced team, visit our Leadership page or contact us any time.