Humans of Telecom

"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, Germany today. Wida began her telecom career as a customer service representative in Frankfurt, Germany and has since had an intriguing career path that led to partnering with Andreas Hipp in London and forming a highly active event and media house, managing a community platform of over 9,000 telco members!

Beyond her professional life, Wida has some surprising interests which include grooving to Indian Bollywood music, speaking over five languages, and having a passion for sports, cooking, and gardening. Despite her jet-setting lifestyle, which comes with the territory, Wida has many interesting travel stories to share with our listeners!

"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' — shares his journey from the bustling streets of New Delhi, India, to the sunny landscapes of California, USA. With a name that means 'King of the World,' TJ has indeed made his mark, launching successful ventures, advising multiple organizations as a board member, holding C-suite positions, and even serving as a lecturer.

Beyond his professional achievements, TJ is passionate about yoga, which has led to some interesting encounters, including practicing alongside 'Scent of a Woman' actress Gabrielle Anwar and meeting his life partner, who was then his yoga instructor! TJ also recounts intriguing stories about founding EZ Texting with his college friends, making his first full-time offer to a man twice his age (and the ensuing events), and his remarkable experience of sleeping through an emergency landing on a flight without realizing it!

"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 beyond the realm of telecommunications. Notably, she is the founder of a weekend school dedicated to nurturing children's power skills, such as collaboration, innovation, and creative thinking, while instilling values of peaceful coexistence in a diverse community. Additionally, Nadia actively supports NGOs aiding displaced children in accessing education, particularly in the remote northern region of Cameroon.

Nadia's remarkable journey includes her selection for the prestigious "TechWomen Program", an initiative of the US Department, where she fervently champions the empowerment of women in her community. Through this platform, she passionately combats imposter syndrome, inspiring women to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience.

A mother of four, Nadia embodies a wealth of roles: an authentic leader, a relentless learner, a visionary thinker, and an ardent advocate for unleashing human potential. Her tireless efforts are driven by a profound commitment to fostering excellence and empowerment in all she encounters.

"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 are anchored in authenticity and a profound belief in the power of love!

In this episode, Carlos offers insights into his journey, dispelling misconceptions surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community and overcoming barriers that sometimes hindered his career progression. With unwavering love and authenticity, he navigates through challenges, fostering personal growth and professional success!

Carlos also reflects on the cyclical nature of life, from his beginnings at Ericsson to his current role at Vonage (an Ericsson company), which has ties to his past. He shares unexpected experiences, from culinary adventures with snails, crickets, and grasshoppers to his passions for sci-fi and virtual piracy. Additionally, he reminisces about his time as a Spanish national TV celebrity, adding vibrant layers to his multifaceted story!

"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 a family steeped in the medical profession in Jordan. Despite this familial backdrop, Tamara courageously forged her own path within the telecommunications realm, finding her niche at Umniah. As her ambitions soared, she embraced new horizons, transitioning to the vibrant and culturally rich Vodafone Group, nestled in Qatar – a place she now affectionately refers to as her 'second home'.

With nearly 20 years of invaluable experience in the telecom industry under her belt, Tamara is a seasoned professional and on the ROCCO list of Top 25 most influential professionals. Juggling her demanding career with the responsibilities of motherhood to her 'army of 3 boys', she remains tirelessly dedicated. Yet, amidst her bustling schedule, Tamara finds joy in pursuing a myriad of passions. From experimenting with diverse international cuisines in her kitchen to constantly revamping the interiors of her home, she embodies creativity in every aspect of her life. Not content with her achievements thus far, Tamara is also on the brink of releasing her debut book, a testament to her unwavering determination and multifaceted talents.

"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, Scott guides us through his decade-long journey in the telecom space, highlighting how life took a surprising turn when an unexpected job recommendation for Tyntec prompted his relocation from his native UK to Munich. A proponent of pursuing multiple passions, Scott enjoys immersing himself in his love for beer, sports, and coaching the local rugby team. Recognized as a true "man of the industry," he meticulously integrates his experiences from the month into his highly successful newsletter "Month in Telecoms." Lastly, Scott unveils a lesser-known secret about the 'Terminator' aspect of his personality, revealing that half of his face is made out of metal!

"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 finance domain in Armenia all the way to becoming a flourishing CPaaS leader based in Estonia now. We also witness her never-say-die attitude that has earned her a position amongst the most influential women in business in Europe, winning her the Gold Globee Award for being the Female Executive of the Year as well as the Stevie Women in Business Award in 2021. And finally, Lilia walks us through other facets of her life which include her professional musical education in playing the piano (that was a serious career option for her!) as well as her love for skiing, yoga and meditation which help her focus on the positives of life!

"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 growing up in a small village in North Sumatra, walking 5 km every day to get to school and, finally, receiving a scholarship from the Telkom group for higher studies in Australia. A truly versatile personality, Pak Budi is the quintessential 'lifelong learner' who lives his passions of being a singer, guitarist, dancer and even a soccer player! While he claims to be an introvert and sometimes gets nervous about speaking in public, Pak Budi's never-say-die attitude has made him an extremely inspirational leader for his team and all those who get an opportunity to cross paths with him!

"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, her early ambitions of becoming a journalist or a lawyer, and how her journey in the world of telecom has now spanned three continents! She gives us an inside preview into the passions that drive her life, why her friends call her a 'jukebox', her undying love for Shakespeare's works and her fondness for all forms of food, wine and champagne! She also throws light on her work in the area of encephalitis after a personal incident with a close family member and, finally, shares a story about her near-miss incident of winning a multi-million lottery!