We Welcome the Judges Committee ’26

  • CEO and co-founder of Cytech Mobile

    Vagelis Antoniadis is the CEO and co-founder of Cytech Mobile, a software house that develops and delivers pioneering mobile solutions for the telecoms and mobile marketing sectors. With more than 23 years of experience in the industry, he holds a bachelor in computer science and a master's degree in networks and telecommunications from the University of Crete.

    As a constant innovator, Vagelis applies new technologies in the mobile field and turns them into successful products that meet the needs of his clients and partners. He is responsible for driving the company's sales and building strategic business relationships worldwide He is passionate about product development, and management creating value for the connected world.

    In his spare time he tells stories to D&D players as their DM trying to make their lives challenging.

  • CEO at Alaris Labs

    With over 20 years of experience in telecom software development, Andrey has substantial expertise in a wide range of matters related to the international telecom business. Since 2010 he has been CCO and then CEO at Alaris Labs – a company providing a suite of software solutions for the voice and messaging industry.

    He is currently managing a unique team of professionals that is helping carriers and aggregators in over 40 countries of the world run their businesses more efficiently.

  • VP Global Customer Experience at Sinch AB

    Neil has 20+ years of messaging industry experience after joining Mblox in 2005 to run their Global Service Management and Technical Account Management teams.

    At the end of 2010, he decided to leave Mblox to join former colleagues at a small startup in Sweden called CLX Networks to establish their first oversea office in London and switch to a commercial role.

    Now known as Sinch, he has gone on to run their commercial teams across EMEA and APAC and currently heads up their Strategic Client and Global Senders divisions.

    He has been an integral part in their growth journey, from 20 employees when he started to currently more than 4000, along with an IPO in 2015 and 20 acquisitions (and counting!) during his 15 years.

  • Group CEO, SAMA Telecom

    Mariam Shaer is the Group CEO at SAMA Telecom with over 16 years of progressive experience in helping the telecom industry with its communications requirements, including Voice and SMS solutions. Specializing in technology, customer operations, product development, and business development, Mariam utilizes her experience to contribute the best to the telecom industry.

    She is determined to bring the best customer experience for clients associated with SAMA Telecom and truly believes in growing together with our professional clients. In her previous role, she was able to solve several complex network challenges faced by mobile operators, helping them monetize their assets. She has also developed the best commercial models, enabling SAMA Telecom and its clients to make more while staying risk-free.

    Mariam has been recognized with an excellence award as the ‘Leading Female Telco Professional’ in the Antonio Meucci Awards 2023.

  • President & Group CEO at iBASIS

    Patrick brings 25 years of experience in wholesale, having held C-suite positions in the mobile business, marketing, and innovation. 

    Patrick co-founded Tofane Global together with Alexandre PEBEREAU in 2017 and holds currently the position of Group Chief Strategy Officer at Tofane Global/iBasis.

    Prior to that he served as SVP of Global Solutions at Syniverse after being  SVP of marketing and product management at BICS and served as a senior consultant for Mobile Ecosystems at PCCW Global.

    Patrick holds degrees in Civil Engineering in Computer Science from the University of Liège and Marketing Studies at INSEAD.

  • President & Founder of HOT TELECOM

    For the past 20+ years, Isabelle has been working with many of the world’s top international telecom service providers to help them define their transformation strategy. She has written multiple articles and regularly speaks at conferences on this topic.

    She is also passionate about encouraging the involvement of women in technology and science and continuously conducts panels and interviews with leading and inspiring C-Level telecom executives around the world.

    Isabelle holds a Bachelor degree in Engineering, an MBA in Finance and has over 30 years experience working globally.

  • CEO at HORISEN AG

    Fabrizio Salanitri is the founder and CEO of HORISEN, with over 25 years of experience in telecommunications, specializing in messaging technology. Combining Italian charisma with Swiss precision and a degree in Electronic Engineering, he founded HORISEN with a pioneering vision to enable SMS delivery through a browser-based application - long before cloud and CPaaS became industry standards.

    Driven by a passion for software engineering and a strong sense for emerging market needs, the company began developing SMS trading platforms alongside advanced messaging and marketing technology solutions. Under Fabrizio’s leadership, HORISEN evolved into a vendor-neutral messaging ecosystem, supporting hundreds of mobile operators and messaging providers worldwide.

    All those years brought a lot of adventures, marvelous growth and many changes, but above all, numerous messaging businesses powered up with HORISEN messaging technology today.

  • CEO at NGN Corp

    Ibrahim Choueiry is currently the co-owner and CEO of NGN CORP SAL and Director of VAYACOM LTD, two retail and wholesale telecom providers based in Lebanon, Cyprus and Canada.

    He previously served for seven years as the VP of Retail Sales of the New York based Fusion Telecommunications Inc. Prior to Fusion, Mr. Choueiry served for five years as the Director of Sales of DOT LB, a telecom and online trading company.

    Before joining DOT LB, Mr. Choueiry was the founder and General Manager of Informa Inc., an advertising and publishing company.

  • Head of Roaming and Interconnect at Vodafone Qatar

    Tamara Al Bakri is a Telecom professional of more than 18 years of experienc

    Tamara Al Bakri is a Telecom professional of more than 19 years of experience in Roaming and interconnect, holding a Batchelor’s degree in Telecom Engineering and an MBA in Digital Marketing.

    She’s the Head of Roaming & interconnect at Vodafone Qatar and worked before as the logistics manager for the GSMA ArabWorld in parallel to her job at Umniah Jordan (Batelco group).

    Tamara was recognized as one of the top 100 influential people in our industry from ROCCO 100  2022 Report.

  • Member of the advisory board at Interactive Digital Media GmbH (IDM) & AnyMessage.cloud

    Over the last 20 years Andreas has worked for numerous startups, some of which he has been founding himself (4), as well as established companies.

    He has been actively involved in all facets of growing an organization. One of his biggest professional achievements was the foundation of IDM (interactive digital media GmbH), a mobile service company which he created from scratch and build the company to an international accredited A2P and cloud communication service provider. While the company was initially sold to a stock listed technology company, he and a group of investors ultimately re-acquired the business in late 2022. In the time in between he has been funding AnyMessage GmbH which provides CpaaS communication solutions to international customers.

    Apart from being a subject matter expert of A2P and CpaaS/Omnichannel communication solutions he is working with enterprises and retail brands to facilitate their communication needs.

  • SVP International Wholesale Business at Rakuten Mobile, Inc.

    Tarek has a long track of around 17+ years of experience in executive leadership, building strong teams, business and product development, management, and strategy in multicultural global organizations.

    In 2019, Tarek joined Rakuten Mobile in Japan to establish an international business team focused on roaming and interconnections. He successfully built a wholesale business and product portfolio from scratch, launching it within a year. He developed innovative products, including the award-winning “Roaming 360” solution for roaming business analytics and automation.

    Tarek was recognized in the ROCCO 100 report for 2022 as one of the most influential people in the roaming, messaging, and interconnecting industries.

  • Co-Founder & CEOat AVISO Messaging

    Vladimir Smal is the co-founder & CEO at AVISO Messaging, a next-generation SMS aggregator and Messaging provider offering trusted and cost-effective solutions. AVISO was recognised as Best Telco Newcomer 2025 at AMA 2025.

    Vladimir has profound knowledge and vast experience of more than 17 years in the Wholesale Telecom industry, specializing in Voice, SMS, and antifraud solutions. His career started at LANCK Telecom where he grew professionally from a Junior Manager to C-Level executive and proved himself as a successful leader. He helped this reputed company to reach new heights in the Messaging business, including winning Best SMS Service provider awards at several leading awards ceremonies, including CC-Global Awards and Antonio Meucci Global Telco Awards.

    He is a regular speaker and panelist at various Telecom conferences and summits, such as Capacity Conferences, ITW, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, Carrier Community and SMS Forum.

    Vladimir has been recognized as one of the most influential people in Telecom by ROCCO-I00 and won Leading Male Telco Professional award at AMA 2025.

  • Founder & CEO of Pingin

    Fouad Jazayeri is the Founder of PingIn, a telecom and CPaaS consultancy that supports carriers, CPaaS providers, and enterprises with growth strategy, partnerships, and go-to-market execution.

    He brings over 15 years of experience in mobile messaging and telecommunications, having led enterprise and wholesale expansion across global markets.

    Previously, Fouad was Global Accounts & Partners Director at Cequens, where he was responsible for growing carrier and enterprise services worldwide. Before that, he served as Head of Sales at Mitto AG (UK), accountable for international enterprise and wholesale business. Earlier in his career, he held several senior leadership roles at SAP and Syniverse in the UAE, driving mobile and telecom growth across the Middle East and Africa.

    Fouad holds a BA in Marketing Management from the University of Southampton.

  • Director of Business Messaging at HORISEN

    Rafal Nowak’s background is closely tied to both large global enterprises and start-ups. An ambitious innovator with 10+ years of experience within the Telecom and B2B2C/C2B2B value chains. With initial experience in international new market development and acquisition marketing, he has extended his skills and expertise to Cloud Telecom Solutions.

    Currently, he is Directing Horizen’s Messaging Business. Rafal is driven by the passion to innovate digital services by partnering with Telecoms, BigTech and entire ecosystems like Banking, Mobility, Gaming or eGovernment.

  • Quality of Service and Customer Experience Manager at CKHIOD

    Manuela holds over 30 years of experience in the Telecom business and over 13 years of experience in roaming QoS. As QoS and Customer experience manager in CKHIOD, implemented QoS program to fit CKHIOD market strategy and to provide Hutchinson affiliates with all possible technical solutions to monitor and improve quality.

    Implemented a new solution to measure QoS that has been recognized as an innovative solution and awarded 3rd place at the Genesis Rocco event 2021. Participate in GSMA working group QoS standardization related.

  • Founder & CEO at Airtime Tech

    Global, a visionary leader transforming how the world connects through digital telecom innovation. With over 16 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he has built scalable, cloud-native platforms for global connectivity — delivering services like eSIM in 190+ countries, 4Way Communication Services, AI-powered CPaaS automation, and hybrid cloud VoIP networks.

    Known for his unique ability to blend bold strategy with deep technical expertise, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, platform integrations, and branding evolution — all while championing user experience, automation, and ethical innovation. His leadership has positioned Airtime Tech Global as a trusted telecom partner for enterprises, digital banks, and global platforms.

    Beyond business, He has dedicated 12+ years to volunteering in rural communities in Nicaragua, working with international organizations to bring resources, education, and support to underserved areas. This commitment to service continues to shape his drive to create inclusive, accessible, and empowering technologies.

    From Santiago to San Juan de Limay, Wilber leads with purpose — connecting people, businesses, and ideas across borders.

    A technologist, strategist, entrepreneur, and brand-builder, he’s not just connecting devices — he’s connecting the world.

  • Chief Commercial Officer at BSG

    Mila has got 20 years of experience in A2P SMS and other communication services that are used by businesses for better interaction with their clients.

    She used to manage a local PSMS company in Kyiv, coordinated the project that launched the first direct carrier billing payment in Ukraine (World of Tanks via Kyivstar), and was thoroughly burned with her own SMS company but came back to the business as a Chief Commercial Officer at BSG.

    For the last 8 years, she was involved in A2P SMS, Number Intelligence, and CPaaS projects.

  • Chief Executive Officer at PrimeTel PLC

    Theodosis Theodosiou has been serving as CEO of Primetel since September 2023. He joined Primetel at its inception and held the role of Chief Commercial Officer from 2014.

    With extensive experience in the telecommunications sector, Theodosis holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an MSc from the University of Surrey.

  • Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) | Growth Leader at GMS

    With more than 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Amer is an open, progressive, and visionary leader who stands among the few professionals capable of redefining the rules of the game and driving the industry forward.

    Highly skilled across Commercial, Operations, Technology, Products & Platforms, and Negotiations, he currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at GMS, where he leads the company’s end-to-end business strategy and execution. 

  • CEO at FSE Consulting

    Paris-based Florence is a seasoned New Business Development Professional and Relationship Broker specializing in telecommunications.

    Following a decade at Telecom Italia and a Master’s from Paris II Panthéon-Assas, she founded FSE Consulting in 2009. She excels at identifying market trends, securing strategic partnerships, and craftng high-impact negotiation strategies.

    Recently, Florence has expanded her influence as an industry moderator for Capacity Media, a specialized interviewer, and a prestigious awards juror.

  • Senior Business Development Manager at LANCK Telecom

    With a Telco Career started back in 2014, Igor is a Senior professional being involved in revenue assurance & anti-fraud projects, value-added services, management and business development sectors.

    His work is to presents LANCK Telecom global anti-fraud initiatives in GSMA, CFCA, GCCM, GLF and other mobile associations & events.

    In LANCK Telecom, Igor works as a Senior Business Development Manager, Fraud Management System Manager and Rich Communication Services team leader.

  • Consultant in Mobile Services and Messaging Specialist

    Elena is an independent consultant with decades of experience in the telecommunications industry. She develops customer-facing consumer, enterprise, and wholesale products for mobile networks in complex multi‑stakeholder environments.

    She specialises in messaging, positioning, public warning, and emergency services, as well as next‑generation mobile services across emerging areas such as CPaaS, network APIs, entitlement, eSIM, and applied AI. By aligning business, technology, and regulatory perspectives, Elena delivers results by translating complex ideas into practical, future‑ready solutions with a strong user and customer centricity. She is an experienced international collaborator, trusted advisor, recognised RCS expert, and active GSMA contributor.

    Elena is passionate about innovation and strongly advocates for open digital ecosystems, fair opportunities, ethical standards, and enhanced user choice. Outside her professional work, she draws inspiration from reading, exploring cities and cultures, and creative pursuits.

  • Managing Director at WeFuse

    Sissi Chlomisiou is a seasoned Public Relations and Communication Director with extensive experience in reputation management, event management, and fundraising. Her leadership qualities and communication skills have enabled her to efficiently plan, budget, and assess results in accomplished endeavors. As the Chief Executive Officer of the MDA Hellas Association, Sissi has a track record of success in managing teams, implementing strategies, and negotiating sponsorship deals.

    Sissi’s expertise in communication and reputation management has also been instrumental in promoting events, exhibits, and shows, as well as building the public image of small brands and companies. She recently started her own communication company called WeFuse, where she combines the old physical world with the new digital one by creating phygital communication strategies for small brands to help them grow.

  • Chief Revenue Officer at Linxa

    With over 25 years of experience in telecoms globally working for carriers and vendors, Kunal is the Chief Revenue Officer responsible for all commercial aspects at Linxa.

    Kunal has worked in HR, finance, business transformations/migrations, and senior C-level management at multiple carriers as well as consulting, product management, project management, account management, business development, and sales on the vendor side.

    Privileged in working with the best people and companies within the telecoms industry, Kunal is passionate about innovation, collaboration, and helping the whole industry work better, faster, and smarter.

  • Founder & CEO at B'yond

    With more than 20 years of experience, Ankit Agarwal is a Telecommunication executive with a deep knowledge of the Telco Asian Telco Ecosystem.

    He is the founder and the CEO of B'yond, (previously Tel Q Global).

    B’yond is a B2B communications platform that drives business transformation by delivering powerful, intuitive, and seamless API-enabled communication solutions to businesses globally.

    The company stands out by offering a comprehensive range of Phone numbers, Messaging, CCaaS and UCaaS solutions under a single contract.

  • Chief Executive Officer at Dove Soft Ltd

    Muktesh is an accomplished marketing professional with over 35 years of expertise in sales and marketing, serving as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at a leading business messaging company in India. A Google-certified digital marketer, he dedicated 15 years to the brand promotion of the previous company, playing a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and establishing its prominence in the industry. Known for his strategic thinking and results-driven approach, Muktesh is passionate about customer-centric marketing.

    Currently, as the CEO, Muktesh is Managing Dove Soft Limited, a prominent business messaging company rapidly growing into the field of the customers engagement, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.

  • Senior Account Manager at IDT

    With more than 15 years of experience, Iva is a Telecommunication professional with a significant Voice footprint, especially in the region of the Middle East. With studies in Marketing and Tourism, Iva started her Telecom journey in 2006 in Zagreb.

    Since then, she is keeping herself updated on all the new trends in the Industry. Today she is working as a Senior Account Manager at IDT Global, based in Dubai.

  • Senior Product Manager Global Connectivity IoT at Deutsche Telekom IoT

    Amira has 17 years of telecom experience, starting with Research and development in the Telco VAS and moving to Product and Project management for roaming services.

    Currently, she is working as a Senior Product Manager Global Connectivity IoT at Deutsche Telekom IoT and she contributes to the telecom community by being a member of the Board at Mobile Ecosystem Forum.

  • Partner at SMSCloud Hub

    Ashish, is a telecom and technology executive with 30+ years of global experience across messaging, CPaaS, cloud platforms, digital transformation, and AI-driven communications. He is Managing Partner at SMSCloud Hub, Proprietor of SMSCloud Hub LLC (USA), and Senior Advisory Partner at TechBridge Advisory Partners.

    He advises founders, enterprises, and investors on growth strategy, market expansion, monetization, and complex transactions.
    His career spans greenfield ventures to global leaders, driving revenue growth, scalable operations, and high-impact telco partnerships worldwide.

    A strong advocate of purpose-led leadership, he is also behind Ai1k—an ambitious national initiative studying AI’s impact on business communications.

  • Growth Strategy Advisor at Cavero Quantum

    With over 20 years of leadership experience spanning the earliest days of international A2P SMS through to the emergence of omnichannel enterprise messaging and network APIs, Kevin has worked with many of the foremost names in the mobile industry and has extensive experience across business messaging, identity, security and enterprise connectivity portfolios.

    Having worked within mobile operator, CPAAS and aggregation businesses, his experience extends across the entire mobile ecosystem and all key geographic regions. Kevin is based in Malaga where he lives with his wife and two children.

    Specialist in CPaaS & Rich Business Messaging, Post Quantum Security, Anti-Fraud services, A2P/P2A customer engagement and Cloud Collaboration.

  • General Manager at Yuboto Ltd, Founder and CEO of Voice Logica.

    Apostolos Ioakeim was born in Athens in 1978. Holding a Degree in Computer Engineering and being passionate about the evolution of technology, as a result, Apostolos has already defined a significant carrier in the Greek market as a co-founder and General Manager of Yuboto LTD, a leading Greek voice and SMS provider.

    Being consistent, creative, organized and a teamwork player, Apostolos is a leader who moves, motivates and inspires his team, to achieve corporate goals.

    Apostolos is one of the masterminds and implementers who built Octapush. This efficient and reliable enterprise messaging platform allows every marketeer to perform Business Messaging Campaigns such as SMS, Viber, and utilities like Calendar, Online Booking, Forms, Short URLs, OTP, etc.

  • Head of Voice, Roaming, & Messaging at A1 International Business

    For more than 20 years on managerial positions in International Wholesale business in Orange and A1 Telekom Austria Group.

    Experienced in Sales, Product and successful Business Development of Voice, Messaging, Roaming, incl. Sponsored Roaming and IoT/M2M business, Service Platforms and IT solutions for Voice, Messaging & Cloud Communication, Anti-Fraud, Firewalling, Roaming, IoT, MVNO and Connectivity related areas.

    Interested in digital innovations, cross-connections of services and technologies, user security and role of AI in increasing the operational efficiency and improving the Customer Experience.

  • Global Customer Development Manager at Link Mobility

    Leonidas started his career in the Messaging industry 12 years ago, as Country Manager of Spain.

    Follows a sales method where he is constantly hunting new business, in combination with a dedicated social selling approach. Via his extensive network of 12k flowers on social media platforms, has built himself up as an advisor and expert on mobile communication services.

    He has worked in the Wholesale & Retail business, managing large accounts and also handling the procurement process that includes a distinct focus on MO/MT connectivity & partnerships across a global partner network. For the last 6 years, he has been part of the Global Sales team of LINK Mobility group, with a main focus on global accounts, partner sales & interconnections, delivering CPaaS solutions, and supporting brands on their omnichannel strategy & Customer Experience process.

  • CTO at NGN CORP SAL

    Gilbert Abboud is a senior telecommunications engineer with a Master’s degree and over 20 years of experience across the wholesale and enterprise VoIP and messaging sectors, including AI-powered CPaaS platforms.

    His expertise spans NOC leadership, telecom infrastructure design and operations, and the development of scalable, innovative service offerings. Gilbert also brings strong business development acumen, bridging technical excellence with commercial strategy to drive growth and operational efficiency.

  • Operations Director at Monty Mobile

    Ali Sabbagh, an IT specialist, consultant, and the head of operations at the leading communications innovator Monty Mobile, has driven the adoption of new technology, providing technical guidance for complex customer solutions.

    An expert in exploring intensive specializations, he immerses himself in emerging technologies, comprehends diverse products and services, and taps into the wisdom of experienced professionals.

    Through engaging projects, theoretical knowledge is transformed into practical competence, particularly in telecommunications and IT.

  • Entrepreneur, Resilience Expert, Author
    Founder & Managing Partner at Focus Bari S.A.

    An entrepreneur, and a Market Research Specialist, with 35+ years of experience in human/consumer behavior studies and business consultancy. 

    A passionate mentor with a sharp business perspective and a deep human understanding, Xenia has recently launched her personal brand as a Resilience Expert in life and business.  Her vision is a society with more happy, creative and accountable people, and a business community that is authentically human and planet centric.

  • Head of Key Account Management Partnering & Services, at Telekom Deutschland GmbH

    Alexander Santl is one of Europe’s leading experts in RCS Business Messaging and drives the strategic development of A2P messaging at Deutsche Telekom.

    His work shapes the interplay between MNO infrastructure, Google, the enterprise messaging ecosystem, and brands, establishing a new high-impact digital dialogue channel for customer engagement and conversational commerce.

    He combines deep platform expertise with advanced insights into user experience, interactivity, and brand performance."

  • Head of Sales (Wholesale) at Go4Mobility

    A dynamic and results-oriented person with more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.

    Carla’s background includes working on three of the most important telecommunications operators in Portugal where she has always been dedicated to sales in corporate and the Wholesale Data Services Market. For the last 4 years, she has been working in the mobile field, increasing sales, and managing carrier relationships in the wholesale business.

    Leading now the Go4mobility Wholesale Sales Unit on messaging and voice side, her main objective is to lead and complete strategic and successful deals based on partnerships and always with the focus on the customer.

  • Head of Global Mobility Services at VODAFONE

    Jordi is an experienced telco executive who believes that big international firms should be committed to creating the right entrepreneurship environment and mindset to boost innovation.

    He has experience working in a vendor, an operator, and a group and holds an Executive MBA degree and a Master in Telecommunications Engineering.

  • Chief Executive Officer at CYMA

    Danny Kattar is a Telco Professional with over 25 years of expertise in Telecommunications, Cybersecurity, Information Technologies & Digital Transformation that makes him one of the market leaders.

    The last 17 years he is working as a C-level executive in multicultural environments.

    Currently, he is working as a CEO at  CYMA, a top-notch cybersecurity provider.

  • Partner and Director at Airtime Technologies

    Steve is a Partner and Director at Airtime Technologies, an MVNO headquartered in Santiago, Chile, with offices in Mexico City. He has more than 25 years of experience developing and executing business strategies for telecommunications companies across the Americas.

    Steve pioneered premium SMS voting and launched Latin America’s first legal MP3 click-to-buy music store, ensuring royalty payments, as well as the region’s first pan-regional ringtone platform spanning 36 operators in 18 countries using a single premium short code (688).

    Steve joined the Airtime team in 2023 and more recently, he spearheaded Chile’s first organically built eSIM platform serving international travel agents in South America and their need to providie high speed local connectivity for there end-of-year student travel programs. 

  • The Customer Listener, CX Expert, Author

    Frans Reichardt is a global expert on customer experience, also known as The Customer Listener.

    In recent years he has delved into the hidden powers of listening. By listening to the voice of the customer companies will drive innovation, build exceptional customer experiences, and build lasting long-term customer relationships.

    Frans is a global speaker and trainer. His topics are customer experience (CX), Voice of the Customer (VoC), customer feedback, and listening leadership. He is the author of Listen Your Way to Customer SuCXess.

  • CCO at TelQ Telecom

    Oana is the CCO at TelQ Telecom, where she has been working since 2017.

    During that time, she was a strong contributor to getting TelQ’s SMS testing platform as the first choice for most of the aggregators, hubs, and SMS enterprise customers.

    She is managing the sales and account management teams and ensures the product is addressing the customers’ needs.

    With 14 years of experience in telecommunications, Oana is passionate about innovating telco products in start-up environments, especially in the messaging industry.

    The focus throughout her career is bringing the best messaging has to offer in a perfectly tailored solution for each customer.

  • Business Development Manager at Twilio

    Martin Schuster is a Passionate Professional with 20+ years of international experience in the Telecom world.

    Having helped a variety of organizations in the Telco ecosystem such as Operators, Vendors, and Aggregators in Commercial, Project Management, and Technical positions across the globe.

  • Senior Messaging Specialist at Arelion

    Fabio Bottan brings more than 20 years of telecom experience divided among different positions within Mobile Operators, Platform Vendors, and International Carriers.

    In the past 16 years, Fabio has helped international telecom groups to develop and implement special advanced messaging solutions mainly focused on the combat of different types of telecom frauds and empowering Mobile Operators to improve revenues and customer experience.

    Fabio was named one of the 25 most influential messaging, roaming, and interconnect visionaries in the biannual 2022 ROCCO 100 report: “Fabio is committed to evolving the way A2P is working to help businesses communicate more efficiently and fight the cybersecurity issues.”

    Fabio holds a degree in Telecom Engineering and MBA in Business Administration.

  • General Manager of Wholesale Mobility Sales BAYOBAB (formerly MTN)

    Arne is the General Manager of Wholesale Mobility Sales at  BAYOBAB, formerly MTN  leading the Mobility Business external sales portfolio including International Voice, Messaging, Roaming, Signalling & Value-Added Services.

    He is a seasoned professional in the Mobile Telecom Industry since 1998. He has lived and worked in Europe, Central and South America, India and the Middle East leading various teams and innovations.

    Arne joined MTN GlobalConnect in 2018 in Dubai, UAE to head up the International Roaming space for the MTN Group. With his global team across Africa and Dubai, Arne substantially grew this business by entralizing all operations, improving both the quality and reach of delivered services.

    Prior to MTN GlobalConnect, he served at Group Operators such as Vodafone Group and Digicel Group as Head of Roaming. He also got his was active with Roaming VAS suppliers as VP of Sales Africa and Europe. Arne’s career started at Ericsson in Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and the Czech Republic delivering 2G/3G radio network and transmission, and eventually moved into Core Network and OSS sales a few years after.  He holds a Bachelor of Engineering Electromechanics with honors.

  • Business Development Manager at PLUSMO / Plus Vox Corporation

    Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Javier is an experienced Business Development Professional with long commercial experience in the Wholesale Business first for voice and later also for SMS Services. Along his career he also worked several years as Product Manager in the Telecommunications Industry. He completed his studies in Business Administration and also two Masters, one in Marketing and the second one in IT & Telecommunication Management.

    His work experience includes several years in Telecom Argentina, Impsat Fiber Networks, Telemar / Oi in Brazil, IDT. More recently Javier has been working in PLUSMO, a global mobile aggregator with offices in LatAm, Europe and the US offering SMS services, Mobile ID solutions, IOT / M2M and CPaaS projects.

  • Senior Mobile Data & Roaming Sales Manager at Sparkle 

    Maria entered the telecommunications Wholesale market 25 years ago having served until today the Voice, IP/Data, Messaging, and Mobile Data services and now entering the challenging field of Roaming with eSIM and Global IOT solutions.

    Is a highly motivated person who seeks challenges in the field and carries a deep knowledge of wholesale telecom market.

    Maria is a Senior Sales Manager for Mobile Data & Roaming in Sparkle handling big accounts in the field.

    Maria holds a Bachelor's degree and Social Policy & Cultural Anthropology and an MBA in Telecoms from Athens University of Economics & Business.

    As she says, she found herself on the telecommunications path by chance, but recognizing it's potential and dynamics, the constant challenge and changes that keep her in search of better strategies, better solutions, and self-improvement, she immediately knew that it's a path tailored for her and continues to be until today.

  • Business Development Director at Arptel

    After completing studies in Business, Civil Code and Company Law at Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf with VWA in Germany he started his career working for several years with one of Japan’s leading industrial  Global Conglomerates, Sumitomo.

    Keith has since obtained more than 20 Years’ experience in the Wholesale Sector of The Telecoms Industry in such areas as Voice, Data networks, SMS and more.  Keith’s passion for Sales and Business Development has seen him create & manage success for various Organizations from Tier 1 Operators, Global Alternative Operators, as well as Software and BSS & OSS system Providers.

  • Chief Commercial Officer at HORISEN

    With over 25 years in the IT and telecommunications industry, Sabina Majeric has built a career marked by deep expertise and a strategic approach to business growth.

    As Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at HORISEN, she plays a significant role in shaping the company’s direction, leveraging her extensive experience in business development, sales leadership, and the implementation of advanced telecom solutions.

    Sabina’s deep industry knowledge enables her to skillfully manage the complexities of the telecom market while fostering strong client relationships. Passionate about continuous learning, Sabina stays at the forefront of technological advancements. With a hands-on approach and decades of experience, she remains a recognized leader in the telecommunications sector today.

  • CEO at UpcomMinds

    Kostas is a distinguished IT professional with over 30 years of experience, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to innovation. While earning an Electrical Engineering degree and a PhD in Distributed Computing Systems from the National Technical University of Athens, he launched his first software development company in 1991 during his studies. His journey continued in Brussels, where he freelanced for notable entities like Mastercard International and the European Commission, showcasing his ability to lead and innovate.

    In 1997, Kostas founded Upcom Bvba, the precursor to today’s UpcoMinds, demonstrating his foresight in recognising the transformative power of IT. Under his leadership, UpcoMinds expanded to Greece and Cyprus, focusing on empowering organisations across Europe with cutting-edge IT solutions. Today, UpcoMinds stands as a testament to Kostas’s vision, employing a dedicated team of over 250 professionals and freelancers, all driven by a shared passion for technology and a person-centric approach that values each individual’s contribution to collective success.

  • CEO and Co-Founder at ANNECTO Telecom Ltd

    Bringing 25 years of C-Level telecom experience, predominantly as a CTO, Franck Zaire is  a tech enthusiast with a creative and open-minded approach. His technical expertise allows him to contribute to very diverse activities such as network infrastructure deployment or mobile application development.

    Over the last decade, his primary focus has been on Voice and A2P messaging, addressing daily challenges created by new technologies, asset monetization, and fraud protection.

    His mission is to position Annecto Telecom as a valuable technology partner to the telecom industry.

  • Marketing & Communications Expert

    Matthew is a senior marketing communications executive with more than 20 years of professional experience in the industry, with almost 10 of them, having handled telco, tech, and mobile marketing brands and projects such as T-Mobile, Orange Business, Yuboto etc.

    For 6 consecutive years, Matthew was part of the organizing team of the Hellenic Association of Mobile App Companies for the national pavilion/participation at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

  • Senior Carrier Relations Manager at Rakuten Viber

    Valentina Varabiev began her telecom journey in 2013 within the VoIP sector, building her career in an environment that allowed her to grow well beyond a traditional sales role. From early on, she developed a strong understanding of the technical, operational, and legal aspects of the business, shaping her into a versatile and curious professional with a solid work ethic.

    Throughout her career, Valentina has worked across multiple telecom functions that support successful commercial outcomes, including finance, rates, routing, technical operations, business development, and the negotiation of both hard and soft swaps. Her experience spans small and mid-sized companies, leading to her current role at Viber, where her professional horizons expanded further and introduced her to the SMS ecosystem.

    Beyond professional growth, Valentina places high value on human connections and a collaborative approach. She thrives on new challenges and is always ready to go the extra mile.

  • CEO at Globe Teleservices

    Rajiv Singla, COO at Globe Teleservices, has over 21 years of deep experience in the global telecom industry. He plays a key role in driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic transformation across the organization. Recognized among the Top 25 Most Influential People in the ROCCO 100 – 2024, Rajiv’s leadership reflects his growing impact in the industry.

    He leads core functions across operations, sales, and growth initiatives, while overseeing expansion. Under his leadership, Globe Teleservices has been named among Singapore’s Fastest-Growing Companies by The Straits Times and Statista for three consecutive years. He serves on the Mobile Ecosystem Forum board.

  • CEO at Chatlink

    Amr is a technology and innovation leader with extensive experience in digital transformation, product development, and strategic growth.

    He has held CEO roles across technology-driven organizations, leading multidisciplinary teams and complex initiatives at scale. His work focuses on bridging business strategy with emerging technologies to deliver sustainable impact.

    Amr is passionate about mentorship, innovation ecosystems, and supporting excellence in the tech community.

  • Chief Commercial Officer at Munitel GmbH

    Wissam Khater is a seasoned telecommunications executive with more than 14 years of experience in the global telecom industry, bringing deep expertise across voice and SMS services. Throughout his career, Wissam has played a pivotal role in building, scaling, and optimizing international telecom operations, with a strong focus on commercial strategy, revenue growth, and partner ecosystems.

    In his role as Chief Commercial Officer at Munitel GmbH, Wissam leads the company’s global commercial vision, overseeing sales, business development, and strategic alliances. He is responsible for driving sustainable growth, expanding Munitel’s international market presence, and strengthening long-term relationships with carriers, operators, and enterprise clients worldwide.

     

    Known for his market-driven approach and deep understanding of telecom value chains, Wissam combines technical insight with commercial leadership to deliver innovative, high-quality communication solutions. His ability to align business objectives with customer needs has been instrumental in positioning Munitel GmbH as a trusted partner in the global telecommunications landscape.

  • Account Manager at Monty Mobile

    Santiago Galizia is a senior telecommunications strategist with over a decade of hands-on expertise at the intersection of A2P messaging, CPaaS, and global wholesale SMS.
    He has navigated the full ecosystem, working alongside operators, aggregators, and enterprise platforms across LATAM, Europe, and beyond, making him one of the few professionals with truly cross-market fluency.
    In senior commercial and account management roles, he has shaped high-impact messaging partnerships, optimized international A2P traffic flows, and driven operator monetization strategies at scale. Santiago brings a forward-leaning perspective on the forces reshaping the industry: OTT convergence, AI-driven communications, and the ever-evolving challenge of fraud prevention.
    His ability to evaluate innovation from both commercial and technical vantage points makes him an exceptionally qualified voice to judge the future of telecom.

  • CPaaS Consultant

    An experienced sales leader specializing in telecommunications and B2B communication technologies. With a strong background in customer engagement strategies and multi-channel messaging, he has driven growth for telco brands through data-driven campaigns and trigger-based automation.

    Anton brings deep expertise in A2P SMS, Viber, and WhatsApp channels, helping teams optimize campaign performance and conversion. Passionate about building thought leadership in CPaaS and omnichannel messaging.

    His focus is on bridging technical solutions and commercial outcomes, ensuring innovation translates into measurable business value. 

  • Director of Sales Operations at Bind Technologies

    Iva is a senior professional with a distinguished background in the messaging industry, beginning her career at Infobip where she mastered SMS technology, omnichannel communication, and scalable platform development.

    A specialist in building high-performing teams, she excels at merging her "first love" for sales and complex negotiations with cross-functional leadership across product and engineering. Iva thrives in fast-paced environments, developing innovative strategies that drive growth and customer satisfaction.

    After years of international remote work, she has returned to a dynamic office setting, where she leverages her expertise to foster cultures of continuous learning and deliver value-driven, technology-led solutions.

  • CEO & Co-Founder at CATALEYA

    As Vice PresAndreas was the Founder and Group CEO of Epsilon Global Communications, which includes Epsilon service provider and Cataleya telecom technology businesses.

    During his 25 years in the global telecoms community, he has contributed to the evolution of the international markets and technologies, creating innovative businesses, and business models.

    He is now continuing to support the industry’s evolution through his Chairman & CEO position of Telecom Technology vendor Cataleya, acting as Chairman of i4-Tech a Singapore based IoT specialist, and his position on the board of Cirrus Core Networks, which offers an all NFV- based LTE Core Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

    Andreas’ primary expertise is in deploying disruptive business propositions and technologies, start-ups and on inspiring innovation in network virtualization, cloud and data & analytics. He also has a strong background and passion for people, culture and organization behavioral evolutions, which are now crucial to all operators’ survival and success.ident of Business and Market Development, Dr. Marco Lafrentz is an industry leader known for driving innovation, strategy, and new product development. Over the course of his impactful career, he has transformed a wholesale SMS aggregator into an enterprise-focused Service Provider and created a new product suite around the WhatsApp Business Solution by Meta, following the global trend towards conversational commerce and customer care.

    Prior to joining netnumber Global Data Services, he spent almost a decade as VP of Products for a leading global application-to-person messaging operator and cloud communications provider. Here, he relaunched number portability products to emphasize the value of phone number information for enterprises for user registrations, customer outreach and account security.

    Marco lives in Dortmund, Germany, and holds a Ph.D. in Physics from TU Dortmund University. You will probably find him on a Beach Volleyball court or a sailing boat when he is not participating in telecom events or customer or sprint meetings.

  • General Manager at Total SMS

    Daniela is a German national living in London since 2005. She has been dealing with the Telecoms industry since 2005 working for a range of companies in broadcasting, media, and telecoms.

    Her background are in alternative payment methods, mainly in the phone billing space such as Premium SMS, Direct Carrier billing as well as voice solutions. She has been with Mediatel since 2010 mainly looking after the alternative billing products.

    In 2019 Total SMS was born, which Daniela has been looking after from day one driving our SMS business in the phone payment as well as traditional wholesale business.

  • CEO at CONTACT

    Khaled is a commercial digital transformation leader with 35+ years of experience shaping large-scale growth across telecom, B2B, B2C, and Fintech ecosystems.

    He focuses is on building future-ready organizations by integrating strategy, technology, data, and execution at scale. He specializes in turning complexity into sustainable, profitable growth across multi-market environments.

  • Director Operator Sales & Partnerships  - MENA at SINCH

    Bilal launched his career in 2014 within the Telecom sector, quickly establishing himself as a top-performing sales leader.
    His deep interest in messaging led him to spearhead the SMS team and strategy at Acmetel, delivering exceptional growth.
    Since joining Sinch in 2021, Bilal has been instrumental in advancing Operator Sales and strengthening strategic partnerships across MENA.


    He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration, graduating magna cum laude, a reflection of his academic discipline and commitment to excellence.

  • Sales Mobile Services – Special Projects Europe & Africa Sparkle

    Stefan is a highly experienced Telecommunications Professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He is currently Team Leader Sales Europe & Africa at Telecom Italia Sparkle SpA, a role in which he coordinates regional commercial strategies and key customer relationships. He has held several key positions at Telecom Italia Sparkle SpA and Orange Romania S.A., where he has developed strong expertise in portfolio management and business development, as well as product and account management. Throughout his career, Stefan has been responsible for developing, negotiating, and managing new and existing customers, and he served as Country Manager for the TI Sparkle Romanian representative office.

    Throughout his career, Stefan has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional development and has held several key positions that have helped him build a deep understanding of the telecommunications industry. He is an expert in the areas of voice, fixed data, mobile data services, international carrier relations, as well as roaming, global connectivity solutions, and emerging technologies such as eSIM and digital customer journeys.

  • Founder & CEO at Click Mobile

    Samuel Chiwanda, is a Founder and CEO of Click Mobile a company that focuses on Messaging, USSD, Voice, and Airtime. The company has established in 2012, is based in Malawi, and nowadays is an International firm with over 8 branches across Africa and the Middle East.

    Sam has managed to grow Click Mobile from running Open Source Platforms to robust commercial platforms, and this transition and experience has led to depth knowledge of messaging protocols, connectivity, and business development, giving him a 360 view of the Telco industry.

    In 2022 Samuel Chiwanda was listed as number 7 in the Rocco Awards, and a few months later, at November 2022, he won the CXO of the Year Award at Africa Tech Awards.

    He is a great piano player, and his passion for music can transform a Telco Conference evening, into a huge, uplifted party!

  • ​Business Development Director SMS at Vacotel

    ​Irina Bortova is a dynamic, results-driven telecommunications professional with over 13 years of experience in the industry. Her career, which began in the Voice sector, has been defined by a sharp focus on the SMS market for the past 8 years, where she has consistently driven growth and innovation.

    ​Currently serving as the Business Development Director SMS at Vacotel, Irina leverages her extensive expertise to identify new market opportunities and scale global operations. She possesses a profound understanding of the telecommunications landscape and its key players, allowing her to navigate complex market shifts with strategic precision.

    ​Irina is recognized for her natural leadership and a proactive approach to business development. Her ability to synthesize deep industry insights with creative problem-solving makes her a formidable partner in building high-value, sustainable international relationships.

    ​Beyond her professional achievements, Irina is a passionate portrait photographer. Her artistic vision allows her to capture the unique essence of individuals, a skill that translates into a deeper understanding of people. This empathy and intuition are central to her success in fostering long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships in both business and life.

  • COO Messaging Solutions at Comviva

    Deshbandhu is COO and Head of Comviva’s Cloud Communications portfolio.

    He brings to the table over 19 years of rich industry experience, building products and has helped scale Comviva’s messaging products across 90+ countries.

    His areas of expertise include Core Telecom Network, Messaging, Firewall and CPaaS. Prior to Comviva, he worked as a technology consultant with Hewlett-Packard for their Telecom and Broadband Practice.

  • Founder & CEO at Mobeep Communications

    Ankit Mandloi is a telecommunications and CPaaS leader focused on international growth, strategic partnerships, and enterprise messaging. He has expanded messaging and communication solutions across global markets, working closely with aggregators, telecom operators, and enterprises.

    His expertise includes market expansion, ecosystem development, and scalable revenue growth. Ankit is committed to strengthening global communication networks and driving innovation in digital messaging.

    He brings a global, growth-oriented perspective to the Antonio Meucci Awards judging panel.

  • Director of Growth at Vonage

    Nelson Villalona is a senior telecommunications executive and Director of Growth at Vonage.
    He brings 10+ years in CPaaS across A2P SMS, operator connectivity, and go-to-market strategy.
    Since 2015, he has worked with enterprises and MNOs across global markets.
    He has supported Fortune 500 customers and leading MNOs to scale CPaaS adoption and performance.
    He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Dutch.

  • Head of Sales and Operations Mobile Services at Sparkle

    An enthusiastic, energetic, and goal-focused international professional, Simona holds more than 23 years of experience managing sales, accounts, and customer service within the telecommunications industry. Insanely focused on leading teams that exceed revenue goals and maximizing profits while keeping customers first. Proven ability to develop new business and increase sales. A persuasive communicator and assertive negotiator with strong deal-closing abilities.

  • Vice Chairman at GTS TechLabs

    Arvind Bali brings over 42 years of rich experience in driving strategic growth and performance improvement across Telecom, IT and Skilling.

    As the Board Advisor of Globe Teleservices and Vice Chairman of GTS Techlabs, he plays a vital role in shaping business strategies through innovative initiatives and sustained growth.

    With his extensive expertise spanning more than 60 countries, Arvind’s deep analytical skills and strategic vision enable to identify new opportunities and navigate complex market environments effectively. He is a sought-after speaker at 12 IIMs, various IITs, NITs, and premier management institutes, having established Centres of Excellence to promote skilling.

  • Sales Director at G729

    With a Master’s in International Marketing and an MBA, Romina excelled in the telecom industry for over 12 years, initially focusing on voice and later venturing into SMS services. Specialized in driving sales strategies for A2P and P2P solutions, fostering international connectivity across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Skilled in negotiation and business development, she is passionate about leveraging technology to empower individuals globally.

  • Senior Manager, Voice, Trading & Messaging Business Services – OTEGLOBE (OTE Group)

    With over 20 years of experience in the international wholesale telecommunication market, Dimitris has been part of the industry’s most defining shifts. His in-depth expertise and strategic outlook have made him a driving force in shaping sustainable growth and global collaboration.

    At OTEGLOBE, the international wholesale business unit of OTE Group, the Greek incumbent, he leads one of the top-performing teams.

    Together, they manage over 3 billion minutes and maintain more than 200 interconnections annually — ensuring service excellence, long-term value for partners worldwide, and further fortifying OTEGLOBE’s position as one of Southeast Europe's most valued carriers. Dimitris is well-known and trusted across the international wholesale community.

    Recognized by peers and partners alike, his strong network and longstanding presence in the industry have earned him a solid reputation as a respected and reliable figure in the global voice ecosystem.

  • CEO and Founder at Orbitalyx

    Daniela Jović is a telecommunications and space professional with over a decade of experience in business development, carrier relations, and A2P messaging.

    Over the past five years, she expanded into the space sector, contributing to satellite development, launch procurement, and mission execution.

    She led CroCube, Croatia’s first satellite mission, awarded by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Daniela was named among the Top 100 Women in Aerospace & Aviation and Bloomberg Adria’s Top 50.

    Today, she supports NewSpace companies in business and commercial growth, with a focus on bold, communication-driven solutions that connect people and technology.  

  • CEO at Globtel GmbH

    Tom Lenda is an entrepreneur and telecom expert, founder of GlobTel GmbH, focused on building global connectivity solutions across Voice, SMS, eSIM, and anti-fraud services. He has built an international network of strong partnerships with leading carriers and consistently drives growth by turning ideas into real, scalable business outcomes.

    He believes there are no failures, only feedback, and follows a continuous improvement mindset, which constantly fuels the growth and evolution of GlobTel. Tom is passionate about people, technology, and progress, actively supporting young talent while pushing the limits of what’s possible in global telecom.

  • Head of Innovation at Cellusys

    Charles Bernard has 18 years of experience in the mobile industry. He made a career of helping mobile operators: expand their roaming footprints, enhance their customer’s roaming experiences, optimize roaming costs, and monetize A2P traffic.

    He is driven by the quest for operational excellence and a passion for delivering a complex solution, simply.

  • Head of Business Development - Wholesale SMS at Beem

    With over nine years of experience in the SMS industry, Rasha leads Business Development for Wholesale SMS at Beem.

    Beem is an established A2P SMS provider with a reputation for quality, reliability, and transparency, and the go-to provider for the Africa and Middle East markets. Beyond driving business growth, Rasha actively contributes to procurement and routing, ensuring operational excellence throughout the value chain.

    Leveraging deep expertise in the African market, Rasha fosters a culture of transparency, reliability, and relationship-building within the team, which she believes are fundamental to sustained success. Passionate about delivering exceptional mobile customer experiences, Rasha remains dedicated to helping businesses connect with their audiences in the most impactful and meaningful ways.

  • CEO at Messente Communications

    Uku Tomikas is the CEO of Messente Communications. He is an advocate for honest entrepreneurship and an expert in telecommunications with extensive knowledge in fraud, global markets and business messaging.

    Besides being the leader of Messente, he is also a father, a high-school teacher and a yoga instructor with a military background.He enjoys an active lifestyle filled with sports, literature and creative challenges.

  • Nassia Skoulikariti is a tech entrepreneur and execution intelligence pioneer with 30 years of experience across AI, IoT, and Telco.

    As the founder of Apiro Data, she helps leadership teams eliminate "execution drag" by building Intelligent Operating Systems™ that scale without chaos. A global speaker and strategist, Nassia specializes in humanizing technology, ensuring AI and data aren't just tools, but amplifiers for better decisions, faster delivery, and more meaningful work.

    Her work centers on making technology practical and transformation sustainable, coaching executives to bridge the gap between technical complexity and real-world operational clarity.

  • Senior Telecoms Consultant

    With more than 20 years of experience in the Telecommunication Industry, Zacharias remains as enthusiastic and passionate as he was back in his first day at work.


    Having experience in operational and commercial roles in two continents, three countries and a wide range of companies varying from FNOs to MNO's and MVNOs, Wholesale Carriers and CPaaS startups, he continues his professional journey up until today.

    Based in Dubai, UAE his latest roles included a consultancy for a SIP trunking startup and a CPaaS unicorn .

  • VP, Sales at Telesign

    David is a seasoned professional with over 18+ years of experience, managing key leadership portfolios across the voice, messaging and identity sectors globally along the length of the value chain: within MNOs (Tele2, KPN); wholesale and CPaaS providers (iBasis, Nexmo and Twilio) and enterprise (Google).

    Currently he holds the role of VP, Sales at Telesign. David holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics with legal studies from Exeter University. He lives in the UK with his wife and his three boys.

    In his spare time, David is a keen flautist with the Kew Wind Orchestra in addition to managing a local kids football team. 

  • Business Development Manager at Titan International Wholesale

    Jovana started her telecom journey twelve years ago, she began her career as a technical science engineer. Soon realized she was in the perfect environment to grow.

    Over the years, she worked with several Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), helping them expand and become more profitable through SMS and Voice services.

    Her fluency in Arabic, along with her strong understanding of English, Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian, has allowed her to connect with many people and stay informed about key industry developments, particularly across the EMEA region.

    Despite the complexity offered by the Telecom Industry back in her starting years, Jovana succed in making a marvelous Telco Career admitting nowadays that for her “It was impossible to imagine a better work environment as a technical science engineer”.

  • Regional Director SMS at HAYO

    For more than a decade, Milica has explored the B2B Mobile Messaging ecosystem, gaining extensive experience in dynamic and competitive A2P Messaging, CPaaS, SaaS customer engagement platform business, and specialized initiatives like two-factor authentication.

    As a sales and product development enthusiast, Milica worked for long-standing wholesale carriers and have a proven track record of exceeding company objectives.

  • Lead Consultant at tekfotonix

    Suart Mitchell is a senior telecommunications executive and consultant with nearly 30 years of experience. Starting in broadcast engineering, his experience now spans all aspects of telecommunications including voice, messaging, roaming, IoT and most recently eSIM.  As VP of Strategy & Product at eSIM Go, Stuart led complex MNO and MVNO integrations and the company global connectivity strategy. A recognized industry evangelist and patent holder, he is also recognised as one of the leading global authorities in RCS and smishing protection. 

    Stuart is currently consulting for a number of clients following a successful career in both startups and global corporations like VeriSign, Syniverse, Sinch and Tata Communications.

  • Head at Global Point View Ltd

    Paul Ruppert is the President of Global Point View Ltd., specializing in strategic growth planning and leveraging technical innovation for global expansion.

    With twenty years expertise in messaging, and conversational commerce, he has supported enterprise leaders like Facebook and Western Union, global service providers such as Syniverse, and Infobip; led investment due diligence for firms such as HIG Capital, and National Bank of Kuwait; and consulted on messaging innovation to the GSM Association.

    He’s the co-author of two SMS interoperability patents and led the development of a GSMA award-wining cybersecurity product. LinkedIn recognizes him as a ‘Top Mobile Technology Voice.’ He’s always on the hunt to make the mobile world a better place, one strategy plan at a time.

  • Voice Products Director at Odine

    Taner Dundar serves as Odine’s Strategic Partnership Director, where he bridges the gap between technology and business through high-impact strategic alliances. Dedicated to strengthening the global partner ecosystem, his role centers on driving regional business development initiatives that unlock new value.

    This strategic leadership is grounded in over two decades of industry experience. Previously, as Odine’s Voice Products Director, Taner successfully led the development, delivery, and deployment of sustainable voice solutions worldwide. During this tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing Odine as a market leading Systems Integrator and an innovative Cloud PaaS/SaaS Service Provider.

    Today, he combines this deep operational background with a forward looking vision, creating next-generation partnerships.

  • Vice President of Sales a WEKall

    Juan Felipe Santos is the VP of Sales at WEKall. He has 15+ years of experience in the telecommunications and technology industry.

    Selected in the last ROCCO Genesis edition (2022) into the TOP 25 more influential people in the roaming, messaging, and interconnect industry.

    He has developed his career throughout the entire chain of our ecosystem, From MNO´s, aggregators, and technology providers. Devoting all his efforts to develop new strategies, alliances, and solutions, with the aim of defining the best solution for each case.

  • COO at C3NTRO Telecom

    Accomplished telecom executive with over 25 years of experience in telecommunications, possessing deep knowledge of the regulatory, players, and commercial dynamics across the CALA region. Currently holding the position of COO at C3ntro Global, overseeing ILD, SMS A2P, and DID.

    Before this, he was Deputy Director at Telefonica Central America, responsible for wholesale services (Local Interconnections, SMS A2P/P2P, Roaming & ILD) across the five countries. Eduardo holds an MBA and an Industrial Engineering Degree and is eager to contribute strategic insights and leadership to the dynamic landscape of the telecommunications industry.

  • Telecom & A2P Messaging Expert, Business Development Director at Cellusys

    With over 15 years of experience in telecommunications and A2P messaging, Diana Choufani is a highly accomplished Business Development Director at Cellusys, leading sales and business development efforts across the MENA region. She specializes in Signaling, Steering of Roaming, SMS, and Voice Firewall solutions, working closely with MNOs to drive revenue growth, optimize security, and establish long-term strategic partnerships.

    Prior to joining Cellusys, Diana served as Messaging Director at Mada, spearheading A2P partnerships with major operators in the region. In this role, she also led account management and support teams, ensuring seamless operations and service excellence.

    A recognized industry expert, Diana has built an extensive network within the telecom ecosystem, leveraging her deep knowledge of messaging, roaming, and security solutions to drive business success. Her strategic vision, negotiation expertise, and ability to foster strong partnerships make her a key player in the A2P messaging and telecom security landscape.

  • Vice President of Business and Market Development at NetNumber

    As Vice President of Business and Market Development, Dr. Marco Lafrentz is an industry leader known for driving innovation, strategy, and new product development. Over the course of his impactful career, he has transformed a wholesale SMS aggregator into an enterprise-focused Service Provider and created a new product suite around the WhatsApp Business Solution by Meta, following the global trend towards conversational commerce and customer care.

    Prior to joining netnumber Global Data Services, he spent almost a decade as VP of Products for a leading global application-to-person messaging operator and cloud communications provider. Here, he relaunched number portability products to emphasize the value of phone number information for enterprises for user registrations, customer outreach and account security.

    Marco lives in Dortmund, Germany, and holds a Ph.D. in Physics from TU Dortmund University. You will probably find him on a Beach Volleyball court or a sailing boat when he is not participating in telecom events or customer or sprint meetings.

  • Head of Wholesale and Global Accounts at CEQUENS

    For nearly a decade, Dimitrije has demonstrated adept navigation within the A2P Mobile Messaging ecosystem, accumulating profound expertise in the dynamic and fiercely competitive mobile market industry. Throughout his professional journey, he has effectively collaborated with Enterprise clients in the LATAM region, facilitating direct sales of SMS, RCS, and WhatsApp solutions. Subsequently, he expanded his scope globally, engaging with A2P aggregators. Presently, he is the Head of Wholesale and Global Accounts at CEQUENS,

  • Senior Principal Strategy and Innovations at OMANTET

    Baha brings more than 25 years of international experience in ICT, Telecom, Sales & Marketing, Projects, SMS & Mobile Services, Blockchain, Data Centers, Voice, and wholesale capacity. He has held several Sr. management roles within Omantel: VP Enterprise, General Manager Carrier Wholesale business, and managed a portfolio of multimillion-dollar telecom and ICT projects. He has worked with Zain Omantel International- ZOI as a member of the executive management team.

    Baha joined Omantel back as Sr. principal - Strategy and innovation and serves as a board of director in various technology and publicly listed companies. He holds a BS in Engineering and MS in Security from Vanderbilt University, and a MC in Project Management from George Washington University. He is a graduate of the National CEO program with IMD and the Sr Executive program of London Business School.

  • Founder of Trinity Hub

    Mate is a seasoned telecommunications professional with extensive experience in sales management, business development, and relationship management.

    With a career spanning nearly a decade, Mate has held significant roles in reputable companies such as Linxa and Horisen, where he served as a Senior Sales Manager. During his tenure, he led sales initiatives, managed client relationships, and developed strategies to drive revenue growth and market expansion.

    Prior to his roles in sales management, Mate spent close to 9 years at Tele2 Croatia, where he began as a Roaming assistant and progressed to become a Roaming and Wholesale expert.

    Currently, Mate is embarking on a new journey as an entrepreneur, leveraging his expertise and insights to bring new and innovative products to the market. He is the founder of Trinity Hub, a company dedicated to introducing groundbreaking solutions to the telecommunications industry. With his entrepreneurial spirit and industry knowledge, Mate is poised to make significant contributions to the sector.

  • Partnership Manager at Mobile Arts

    Rabih Jreish is a Partnership Manager with over 12 years of experience in the Mobile VAS ecosystem, with a strong focus on Direct Carrier Billing (DCB). He holds a Master of Research degree, specializing in Telecommunications Networks and Security.

    Rabih’s expertise lies in enabling digital transformation for Mobile VAS, managing partnerships with mobile operators, payment providers, and digital merchants across the EMENA region. He has played a significant role in the business development of the MobiBox platform, a mobile payment and advertising solution.

    Leveraging his expertise in DCB and Mobile VAS, Rabih has managed partnerships and collaborations that have driven the growth of the platform, establishing Mobile Arts as a key player in the mobile industry. His valuable contribution to the company is acknowledged with MobiBox’s win of the esteemed MEFFYS 2023 award for Content and Advertising.

    Overall, Rabih Jreish is a skilled Business Development Manager with an exceptional track record of delivering results in the DCB and mobile payments sector.

  • Marketing Segments Management Head at Azercell Telecom

    Leyla Salamova is a senior telecom leader known for driving large-scale commercial and digital transformation across Azerbaijan’s mobile industry.

    She currently heads Marketing Segments & Product Management at Azercell, shaping strategy, innovation, and P&L performance across core consumer segments. With over a decade of experience in Telco, Leyla has led major initiatives in customer value growth, loyalty, digital product launches, and cross-company transformation programs.

    Her work focuses on combining customer insight, strategic design, and data-driven execution to deliver sustainable business impact. Leyla holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from King’s College London and an MBA from Nichols College.

NextGen Judges Committee 2026

  • Telco Consultant

    Ali Nasrallah  hold bachelors degrees in Information Technology and Political & Administrative Sciences. Since 2017, he has built solid experience in the telecommunications sector across NOC, sales, account management, and business development roles. He maintains a strong global network spanning telecommunications, software solutions, cybersecurity, IT, and network services.
    His expertise includes Voice, SMS, International Premium Rate Numbers, and HLR/MNP products and services, and brings hands-on experience in both B2B and B2C business models. Known for strong communication, relationship management, and strategic growth skills.

  • Lead Account Manager at TelQ Telecom

    Jelena has been in the Telecom industry for close to 5 years now as a Key Account Manager, helping her clients grow their SMS businesses on trust and quality.

    She joined TelQ Telecom in 2021, and in 2024 she became a Team Lead. Jelena is passionate about learning and self-improvement inside and outside of the Telecom Industry; she took multiple courses from Business Messaging Academy, as well as courses in Leadership, PCM and successfully completed a mini-MBA. 

    Outside of her role of an account manager, Jelena loves creating content for her company - be it for marketing and promotions, or for educational purposes.

    Her mission is to grow alongside TelQ and continue working closely with Telecom professionals on making the SMS industry better.

  • Technical Account Manager at Monty Mobile

    Raed Diab is a telecommunications and AI innovation professional with over four years of experience as a Technical Account Manager at Monty Mobile. He specializes in CPaaS ecosystems and AI-driven digital communication technologies, combining telecom infrastructure expertise with intelligent systems design.

    He leads complex international engagements that align technical strategy with business growth, delivering scalable, secure, and future-ready communication solutions across global markets.

    Raed has earned national, regional, and global recognition in the ICT field for his contributions to technology innovation and advanced communication solutions. He is passionate about advancing technologies that shape the future of global connectivity.

  • Operations and Maintenance Engineer at GMS

    Ahmed Hadi is an Operations and Maintenance Engineer in the telecommunications industry, specializing in A2P SMS, SMS Firewall, routing analysis, and telecom fraud prevention.

    At GMS, he supports global MNOs by analyzing SMS traffic, optimizing firewall rules, and ensuring high delivery performance. Hadi is actively involved in protecting networks from fraud and grey routes and in developing automation tools and dashboards that improve efficiency, accuracy, and operational visibility.

    He has been recognized with the Rockstar Newbie Award and a Best Performer Certificate for his impact and dedication. Passionate and driven, Hadi continuously seeks to grow and contribute to the evolving telecom ecosystem.”

  • Regional Manager SMS at Hayo

    Ghazal holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in business administration (MBA). She has been working at HAYO since September 2022. With 5 years of professional experience, she began her career as a NOC engineer in XICOMM, transitioned into Finance department, and eventually found her path in SMS Sales when she joined HAYO. In December 2024, she was promoted to Team Lead, reflecting her growth and dedication. Ghazal loves to set goals and working hard to achieve them—an attitude she continues to carry into her sales career.

  • A2P - SMS Consultant

    Ali Secka is a dynamic sales and business development leader with extensive expertise in A2P messaging, strategic partnerships, and revenue growth. Based in London, he has built a strong reputation for driving commercial success, developing high-value partnerships, and identifying new business opportunities across the global telecom ecosystem. As a Next Gen Judge at the Antonio Meucci Awards 2026, Ali brings valuable market insight, commercial expertise, and a forward-looking perspective, helping recognize the innovators and emerging leaders shaping the future of the international telecommunications industry.

  • Marketing Manager at SAMA Telecom

    As the driving force behind SAMA Telecom’s marketing success, Grace has been instrumental in shaping the company’s brand presence and industry recognition. With a keen eye for digital strategy and creative execution, she has spearheaded impactful campaigns that have positioned SAMA Telecom as a standout player in the telecom sector.

    Bringing together her expertise in SEO, branding, multimedia, copywriting, and web analytics, Grace develops and implements strategies that not only enhance online visibility but also maximize ROI. Her background in Graphic and Multimedia Design, combined with multiple Google certifications in Analytics, Ads, and Search Ads 360, allows her to merge creativity with data-driven insights—ensuring every campaign is both visually compelling and strategically effective.

    From brand storytelling to performance marketing, Grace has been the powerhouse behind SAMA Telecom’s exposure, continuously elevating its reach and engagement across digital platforms.

  • Regional Director Africa at Mobeep Communications

    Nnamdi is a Telecommunications professional, a specialist in A2P messaging, his experience cuts across servicing Enterprises, working on projects with Aggregators and dealing with wholesale partners.

    Before joining the telecoms industry, he worked briefly with a commercial bank in Nigeria then spent three years working at one of West Africa’s leading e-commerce and digital marketplace platforms (konga.com) as a Retention analyst.

    Nnamdi’s introduction into the Telco industry was with Infobip after undergoing a rigorous selection exercise, at Infobip, he rose from SDR to sales associate before joining Monty Mobile as a senior account manager. Today he is having the role of Regional Manager Africa at Mobeep Communications.

  • Co-founder & Director at Mr OTP

    Burhan Nazir brings a rare blend of global technology and telecom expertise. 

    His professional journey began at Google, followed by impactful experience with TELUS International. 

    He later co-founded an SMS aggregation company and, over the past four years, 

    has been deeply entrenched in the telecom ecosystem, 

    driving large-scale A2P messaging initiatives and strategic business development.