A full day is planned with a breakfast panel of regional leaders sharing their plans and dreams for workplace innovation, imagination and collaboration to a number of breakout panel sessions addressing the symposium’s theme to an end of the day, inspirational keynote by Lisa J. Nutter, President, Philadelphia Academies, Inc.  There is something for everyone!

For program and cost information and to register click here: Register for Event

For nearly 50 years, Comcast has been committed to strengthening local communities.  We help communities “dream big” by providing access to innovative technology, volunteering our time, giving financial support and partnering with great organizations.  If we can increase the number of volunteers that join us, we will continue to increase the number of schools revitalized, the gardens being tended, and the neighborhoods improved.  We hope you will help us with this goal.

If you are a Comcaster, please visit TeamComcast to register for a volunteer opportunity.  If you are not a Comcaster, please connect with one to register as a guest.  We look forward to seeing you on April 21.

If you answered yes to either question above, then Networking on Demand is the program for you!

To learn more and register for the program go to our Event page or click here!

Name: Margaret Rickard Rubinacci

Professional Role: Consulting Manager with pureIntegration, an IT systems integration company.

Role with WICT Greater Philadelphia: Chapter President

Where in the World Are You From: I was born on Long Island. Starting when I was 12, my family started moving around due to corporate moves. I moved from Long Island, to Pittsford, New York to Lansing, Michigan and then to Rochester, New York. This meant five different schools in six years. I attribute my ability to talk to anyone, remember names and adapt to any situation to this time in my life. I currently live in Malvern, PA with my husband, Scott.

Tell Us About Your Background: I graduated from Boston College with a degree in Business and a concentration in marketing. Right after college, I got a job at Accenture, working as a consultant in the communications and high tech industry.

After three years at Accenture, I decided that I wanted to do something different. I had been inspired by people who took time off from work and did something they felt really passionate about.  I am passionate about bringing people together.  I believe when people come together and share ideas, amazing things can happen.  Some would say I’m a connector.

So I left my job at Accenture and spent two years working as a Program Manager at an international non-profit organization called RENEW International.  My job was to create and sell a turn-key program designed to train leaders and provide guidance on running events for young adults.  I saw this job as an opportunity for me to use my gift to connect others on a much wider scale.

After two years, through a former colleague at Accenture, I returned to the communications industry, starting my career with pureIntegration.  I returned more fulfilled and with an arsenal of new skills. I had honed my ability to speak publicly, to write and to work with people from many different backgrounds and perspectives.

Tell Us More About Your Current Job: I have now been with pureIntegration, an IT systems integration company for over five years. During this time, I have primarily worked on projects at Comcast in NETO, NCO, and T&PD.

I currently work on a project at Comcast in Solutions Management as the Operations Readiness and Trial Manager for tru2way guides and set top boxes. When a new guide or set top box is recommended to be released to market, I work with Care, Technical and Field operations, and Engineering to identify, and get ready, all the business operations elements that are required to trial, launch and support the new product.  If our efforts are successful, the product operationally functions as expected, doesn’t disrupt the markets’ current operations, and results in delighted customers.

Beyond my day job at Comcast, I have had opportunities to get involved with aspects of pureIntegration business.  At pureIntegration, we are encouraged to speak up and get involved in areas of the business where we are passionate.  For me, that has meant growing the pureIntegration marketing function as well as developing and delivering training workshops on leadership and branding to our company. I am inspired by my colleagues at PI, their passion to drive value in their client work, their commitment to treating people with respect and their ability to let loose and have some fun.

Why You Got Involved with WICT: When I first started at Comcast, I was told as a woman in cable, you have to join WICT, because anyone who’s anybody is a part of WICT. I had also heard, it is through WICT that you make your connections, how you find people who will help you, how you find valuable educational opportunities and meet some nice friends.

At the time, I think I was most interested in making friends, and I started attending events. With the genuine welcome I received and the value I gained as a result of the WICT programming and networking, I started volunteering.  Since then, I have worked on many events, been Co-Chair of Programming, Vice President and now Chapter President.

What You Hope to Do As President: As President, together with the Board, I hope to continue to build upon the momentum that has been generated over the past several years and provide high caliber programming and exceptional mentoring and networking opportunities to our 1000+ membership. Additionally, I will ensure responsible stewardship of our chapter funds and sponsorship dollars to generate the maximum return to our chapter.

Something We May Not Know About You: I really enjoy swing dancing and ballroom dancing. In college, I was one of the founding members of the Boston College Swing Kids. Two years ago, I convinced Scott, my husband (then boyfriend) to try ballroom dancing in preparation for my sister’s wedding. I have never seen anyone pick up dancing so quickly, he was a natural. This past July, for the first dance at our wedding, we did a Rumba to You and I by Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gail.

I also am near fluent in speaking Spanish and I have the propensity to occasionally sing during conference calls that I host. Ole!

Your Last Thought: I think everyone should join WICT and they should all bring a friend.

 The luncheon will be held from 11am to 2pm at the Hilton New York.  Please click here for additional information.

 Congratulations, ladies!

1st Place – 2011 WICT Chapter Enterprise Award – Going Where No Chapter Has Gone Before

Thank you to the 2011 WICT Greater Philadelphia Board, volunteers and sponsors for another incredible year! The generosity from our sponsors allowed us to deliver 15 quality programs and events, while growing our membership to just over 1,000.

3rd Place – 2011 WICT Best Chapter Programming of the Year

Our amazing Programming team worked passionately all year to bring us speakers and content that are meaningful and relevant to our members in the cable telecommunications industry.

2011 WICT Chapter Advisor of the Year 

Our very own Lindsay Johnston!  We are so thankful and blessed for her amazing leadership, guidance and overall support.  Lindsay is a Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Comcast.  Visit our Board Members page to read Lindsay’s bio.

To see all the WICT 2011 Chapter Award Winners, visit the WICT National site

The Source August 2011