GSMA North America plays an integral role in the deployment of emerging technologies and digital solutions, ensuring that North America remains an innovative and prosperous market. Last year, it supported commercial launches of multiple Mobile IoT networks in the U.S. and Mexico, thus laying the foundation for the arrival of a huge number of low-cost, low-power IoT devices and services. As of July 2018, it has facilitated full-IP operator Interconnects of Advanced Communication services, Business Messaging Labs, pre-commercial pilots, monthly active users of RCS (rich communication services), and interoperable operator identity solutions. Furthermore, GSMA North America continues to support the global GSMA programmes in driving 5G Fixed Wireless Access with operators, achieving commercial success for Mobile Connect and driving the launch of commercial Mobile IoT networks.
Meet the North America Team
Ana Tavares Lattibeaudiere
Head of North America, GSMA
Ana Tavares Lattibeaudiere
As Head of North America, Ana has responsibility for representing and leading all GSMA activities in the North American region. Ana has been working in the GSMA since 2005. She started under the Chief Strategy Officer and was part of the team that was responsible for the exponential growth the GSMA has undergone in the last 13 years – acquisition of Mobile World Congress, creation of Mobile for Development and the ultra-low cost handset project that reduced the cost of entry-level phones by over 50%. After her role in strategy, she went on to create and lead GSMA’s global efforts on Internet of Things (including the IOT Advisory Board) reporting to GSMA’s CTO. She created GSMA’s Connected Car Forum and led various Operator / Government partnerships in the Education, Smart Cities and Healthcare industries (from Philippines to Dubai). She also created one of GSMA’s most successful exhibition concepts – the Innovation City. Prior to joining the GSMA, she held various strategy consultancy positions at BCG, Deloitte Consulting and Accenture. Ana began her career in Private Banking at Merrill Lynch.
Ayana Bryan
Marketing Director, North America , GSMA
Ayana Bryan
Ayana Bryan is the Marketing Director for North America at GSMA. In this role she is responsible for leading regional marketing activities across US, Canada and the Caribbean to carry out the strategic aims of GSMA global initiatives and deliver against the regional agenda. Before joining GSMA, Ayana worked at Samsung Electronics, leading the development and execution of nationwide-wide marketing campaigns to build brand awareness and drive sales of mobile devices and accessories. Prior to Samsung, Ayana spent 10 years at Turner Broadcasting where she worked in a variety of strategic marketing and sponsorship roles at Cartoon Network, Turner Entertainment Networks and Turner Sports. Ayana is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Global Business and received a Certificate of Global Leadership from The Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. She received a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Oglethorpe University.
Carlos Bosch
Head of Technology, North America, GSMA
Carlos Bosch
Carlos Bosch oversees the adoption and implementation GSMA’s technical strategic programmes ensuring that a consistent, interoperable and standardised set of specifications are deployed by mobile operators. During his career, he has been responsible for product development, testing and operations of VAS and IMS related products with operators and vendors. He studied Engineering and Applied Mathematics at West Virginia State University.
Dan Norman
Head of Strategic Engagement, North America, GSMA
Dan Norman
Dan Norman is the Head of Strategic Engagement for North America at the GSMA. He has more than 35 years of experience in the domestic and international wireless telecommunications industry, 25 of those years with AT&T Mobility. His last position at AT&T Mobility was the Vice President & General Manager over Florida. Dan has held senior level positions in General Management, Marketing and New Product Research & Development. He is highly skilled in wireless operations, innovation, start-ups and merger management. Additionally, Dan holds 7 patents for products in the wireless industry.
Eliza Chisholm
Regional Marketing Manager, North America, GSMA
Eliza Chisholm
As Marketing Manager for the North America Region, Eliza is responsible for the regional content, branding, digital and social management, and events’ communications in addition to providing marketing support for the global GSMA Programmes. She also leads and manages the newly launched GSMA Tech4Girls program, along with the other Women4Tech initiatives for North America. As a young professional, Eliza is extremely passionate in using her works and talents toward the advancement of young girls in technology in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals – Gender Equality & Quality Education. Prior to GSMA, Eliza acquired marketing experience for various companies in Charleston and San Francisco where she led in creating new content management and digital campaigns. Eliza received a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a Marketing concentration from the College of Charleston, S.C. in May 2016 and holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in International Business with a Marketing concentration in which she graduated with Honors (Cum Laude). Prior to graduate school, she worked at a leading global immigration law firm in Atlanta, GA. Eliza looks forward to further empowering the youth and fellow young professionals through her works, leadership, involvement, and passion and seeks to amplify her skillset on a global scale.
Ivette Lopez Sisniega
Director of Public Relations, North America, GSMA
Ivette Lopez Sisniega
Ivette Lopez Sisniega is the Director of Public Relations for the GSMA’s North America region and Mobile World Congress Americas. Ivette joined the GSMA in 2017 from InterContinental Hotels Group, where she helped establish global B2B communications initiatives. She also worked at UPS as Global Corporate Communications and PR Manager, leading media relations for the healthcare logistics segment of the company’s business. Before then, Ivette worked at Sony Mobile as External PR Manager of the Americas, where she set public relations and social media strategies for product launches, sponsorships and events, and managed regional internal communications before joining the Global Public Relations team. Prior to Sony Mobile, Ivette spent just over six years with FleishmanHillard working primarily on the AT&T consumer business including the SBC acquisition, DSL launch, Cingular Wireless merger, U.S. Hispanic media relations, sponsorship and marketing efforts, launching the company’s Latino social media channels. Ivette has extensive experience with diversity and inclusion efforts, having created and participated in Employee and Business Resource Groups. Ivette is the 2016 recipient of the Georgia Diversity Council’s Rising Star Award and serves on the National Board of Governors of the Human Rights Campaign. Ivette holds dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and Spanish from Texas State University.
Judith Azcunes
Technology Project Manager, North America, GSMA
Judith Azcunes
Judith Azcunes joined the GSMA North America team in 2016 and is in charge of the region’s Project Management, providing support and coordination across programmes, and also supporting different activities including regional events. Judith is a certified PMP and began her career in Venezuela working in consulting companies dedicated to ERP and data collection systems. Judith graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Managerial Sciences and Logistics and has been working as Project Manager in technology for more than 15 years.
Jyrki Penttinen
Technology Manager, North America, GSMA
Jyrki Penttinen
Jyrki Penttinen has worked for GSMA North America since December 2018 assisting operator members with the adoption, design, development, and deployment of GSMA specifications and programmes. Jyrki started his activities in mobile communications industry back in 1987. He worked on cellular technologies for Telecom Finland (Sonera and TeliaSonera) and Xfera Spain (Yoigo) until 2004. He also carried out consultancy and training projects in Europe and in the Americas. During 2004-13, he worked for Nokia in Mexico, Spain, and in the USA on architectural design, research, standardization, training, and technical management, focusing on cellular networks and devices, as well as on mobile TV. He obtained his doctorate degree in 2011. From 2014 to 2018 with G+D Mobile Security Americas, USA, his focus areas included mobile and IoT security and innovation with a special emphasis on 5G. In addition to his main work, he has been an active lecturer and has authored telecommunications books in English, Spanish and Finnish.
Michael Poffenberger
Director of Strategic Engagement, North America, GSMA
Michael Poffenberger
As Director of Strategic Engagement, Michael is responsible for regional-specific and originated initiatives in North America. At GSMA, Michael previously served in Corporate Development and Strategy roles as well as the Head of North America Market Development. Prior to GSMA, Michael was responsible for Cox Communications’ Wireless product and strategy focused on their MSO Joint Ventures, MVNO, MNO and Metro WiFi initiatives. Michael has previously served in senior level product and strategy positions for Cox Communications, AT&T, CA (Computer Associates) and Here. Additionally, Michael holds 14 patents for wireless, video and internet products.
Sanjay Nainwal
Strategic Engagement Director, North America, GSMA
Sanjay Nainwal
Sanjay Nainwal is currently the Director of Strategic Engagement for the GSMA in North America. He supports the mobile operators in deployment of global programs in US and Canada, with focus on Identity and IOT. In his dual role, he manages all aspects of global technology partner management for the GSMA’s Mobile Connect Identity Program. He is a results-oriented professional with 24 years of solid experience in program, business operations and production technology management in the Telecom space. During his 15 years stint with Nokia, he held several global roles in Business & Operations Support System, Consulting & System Integration, and Delivery Operations. He is passionate about supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Gender Equality and Quality Education. He has Masters in Industrial Engineering & Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Production Engineering.
Sue Monahan
Director, North America, GSMA
Sue Monahan
Sue Monahan was named Director of GSMA North America in 2002. In this role, Sue is responsible for managing all North American technical working groups in the areas of network interoperability, services, billing, roaming, fraud and security, standards, terminals, and smart cards. Sue is also responsible for liaising with the 4G Americas Board of Governors, global standards organizations, as well as her GSMA counterparts in other regions around the globe. Sue began her career 25 years ago at Bellcore (now part of Ericsson) working with the regional Bell Operators as a Senior Member of Technical Staff. In the mid 90s, Sue joined Verizon Wireless as a Senior Systems Engineer then later joined AT&T Wireless as the Director of Product Development and helped launch some of the first GSM networks in the U.S. In addition to her role with GSMA North America, she was named CEO of the Small Cell Forum in Feb 2014 where she is responsible for executive level carrier engagement and partnership development. She also provides leadership to the Forum’s technical groups and is also charged with providing succession management of the Forum. Sue graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Delaware.