State of the Call Summit 2023

Alex Algard

Alex is the CEO of Hiya, where he's especially focused on product vision and corporate strategy. Alex is a long-time visionary for trust and identity in mobile calls, having launched the first caller ID and spam blocking apps for mobile. Previously, Alex founded and bootstrapped two companies: Ekata, a leader of ID verification to enterprises via SaaS (sold to Mastercard for $850M) and Whitepages.com, which he started in the 1990s at college. He holds a B.A. in Economics and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, both from Stanford University.

Sarah Franklin

Sarah Franklin is President & Chair of the Advisory Board, which helps guide Salesforce’s strategy into new markets internationally. Sarah has been at Salesforce for more than 15 years and has held a variety of executive leadership roles. Most recently, she was Chief Marketing Officer, leading a world-class marketing organization and driving awareness for Salesforce globally. Prior to that, she was EVP and GM of Platform and AppExchange where she led Salesforce’s developer initiatives with a focus on democratizing technology. She is passionate about empowering everyone to pursue successful careers in technology and bridging the skills and equality gaps by making technology accessible to all. Throughout her career, Sarah has often been one of the only women on her team. Witnessing the inequality of women and minorities in STEM careers inspired her to help spark the Trailblazer movement by launching Trailhead, Salesforce’s gamified online learning platform which has helped 19 million people worldwide on their journey to becoming successful technologists. Sarah has been listed as number six on Forbes’ Most Influential CMO list, named a “CMO to Watch” by Business Insider, and received a Brand Genius Award from Adweek. She holds a dual degree in chemical engineering and biochemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Kush Parikh

Kush drives the Go-to-Market aspect of the Hiya business including distribution, sales, marketing and business operations. He has over 15 years of experience in the mobile industry including handset OEMs, location based services and mobile payments. Among Kush’s many startup roles, he was recently the CEO of PayByPhone, Inc. one of the largest mobile payment companies in the world which he sold to Volkswagen Financial Services. Kush holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Penn State and an MBA from Duke University.

James Lau

James is the Chief Product Officer of Hiya and responsible for the company’s overall product vision, roadmap, and strategy. He has over 20 years of product management experience and has held leadership roles at Microsoft and Google. He holds 9 U.S. patents and has contributed to a diverse set of products including those related to mobile and generative AI. He has a BAS in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and a graduate degree in Engineering Management from Dartmouth College.

Jason Young

Jason is the founder of Campanile Partners, an advisory firm focused on enriching lives around the world through enhanced mobile experiences. As a long-time T-Mobile US executive, he led strategic partnerships, ran product management, and founded T-Mobile Ventures, all in support of the company’s evolution to becoming the most valuable telco in the world. He also served as CEO of Soofa, a Boston-based startup. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley.

Andy Walker

As Accenture’s Communications and Media Industry Leader, Andy is responsible for the strategy, offerings, and business. He oversees a network of more than fifty thousand professionals who serve our Media and Communications clients around the world. Andy has consulted to Communications, Media and High Tech clients for more than 20 years, and has advised leaders across the industry on issues ranging from their fiber strategy to the profitability of their customers & products to margin improvement efforts. In addition, Andy has been an advisor on multiple mergers, acquisitions and divestitures across the industry, and has helped a number of clients launch new businesses, including new wireless businesses, technology services businesses, and segment specific businesses. A longstanding thought leader in the industry, Andy regularly speaks with clients and on stages about today’s Communications and Media industry strategies as well as what opportunities the future holds.

Isaac Jacobson

Isaac Jacobson is the SVP of Strategic Partnerships for Gabb Wireless, leading multiple teams tasked with integrating mobile hardware and software platforms into safe tech solutions for kids. Gabb’s product line currently includes three handheld and three wearable devices, utilizing a custom locked down AOSP while running proprietary services including Gabb Guard (call and SMS filtration), Gabb Cloud, Gabb Music and Gabb Messenger. Under Isaac’s leadership, Gabb offers the world’s first smartphone truly safe for kids. Gabb devices provide peace of mind to parents by preventing unwanted calls, exposure to explicit content and access to harmful social media platforms. Isaac’s professional background involves 20+ years of executive leadership in emerging technologies and venture capital. His personal passions center on providing underserved, marginalized global populations with access to life-saving care via new technologies, and supporting youth mental wellness programs domestically.

Eric Lookhoff

Eric Lookhoff is a Senior Executive, Strategic Advisor, and Speaker with a successful record creating organizational readiness for emerging and legacy payment businesses, and third-party lenders. He is the Vice President of Risk Operations for Fleetcor’s North American fuel card-issuing business, a $900M revenue portfolio supporting $13B of annual commercial spending. Eric has led scale initiatives across the business cycle from PE-backed growth stage companies, Freedom Financial, Beyond Finance, Currency Capital, and QuickFee to mature industry leaders Intuit, Discover, First Data, and AIG. He is targeted by companies seeking rapid effective change management, profitability acceleration, operational scale, and a data-savvy process-lean culture. Eric has more recently spoken on the emerging payment trend of buy now, pay later at Acquirer Association conferences in Dallas (2021), Philadelphia (2022), and Atlanta (2022), and regularly contributes to the evolution of payments as an executive advisor to startup CEO’s.

Andrew Snead

Andrew is a highly passionate telco, media and tech professional with over 26 years of global experience, operating as an executive, advisor and investor. During his career, Andrew has lived and worked in New York, London, Dubai and Singapore, advising Boards, management teams and investors of large-cap companies and early-stage ventures. Andrew has a deep passion for innovation, is an incurable optimist and a strong believer in non-linear, tech driven growth.

Patchen Noelke

Patchen leads Hiya's marketing team which includes product marketing, demand generation, corporate marketing, and company communications. He is a veteran IT insider with over 20 years of experience with real-life IT operations and technical business management. He was previously the Senior Director of Product Marketing at Algorithmia where he focused on helping machine learning and data science leaders adopt operational best practices to improve the cost, quality, and performance of ML applications. He has a rich background in product management and marketing experience in IT solutions for analytics, agile development, collaboration, security, governance, and IT financial management.

Matt Weller

Matt Weller leads the strategic marketing effort for Hiya Connect with a particular focus on improving the customer experience, expanding our key partnerships and most importantly helping enterprises connect with their customers. Prior to Hiya, Matt spent nearly 15 years at Verizon in an array of roles from marketing to product management. He worked extensively in the voice product space launching Verizon Wireless' first Caller ID apps on Android and Apple devices and then developing the strategy to help Verizon's customers avoid the scourge of spam and fraud calls.

Jonathan Nelson

As Director of Product Management at Hiya, Jonathan leads Hiya's caller ID data intelligence, including both person/business identification and spam call detection. His team works with billions of data points globally every day to provide the most accurate caller information and protection against unwanted caller adversaries.

Madeleine Findley

Madeleine Findley (CIPP/US) co-chairs Jenner’s Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice, and is a partner in its Communications, Internet & Technology practice. Prior to joining Jenner in 2021, Madeleine was U.S. Privacy Counsel for a large multinational medical device manufacturer. She previously served at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a Deputy Bureau Chief in the Wireline Competition Bureau and Associate General Counsel in the Office of General Counsel. Before the FCC, she was a partner in a communications law boutique in DC.

Michael Robuck

Mike Robuck is the U.S. Editor at Mobile World Live. He joined the Mobile World Live staff in February of 2022. Prior to joining GSMA, he was editor of FierceTelecom and of Light Reading’s Telco Transformation microsite. He has a long history of reporting on the telecommunications industry.

Scott Shumacher

Scott is a Principal in the Fraud Solutions team at FICO®. Scott is a fraud, security and financial crime expert and brings expertise gained from running a fraud detection network, managing security contact centers, implementing fraud analytic solutions, and providing consulting services across industries. Scott brings both practical, hands-on knowledge and creative approaches to managing fraud in today’s ever-changing environments. Scott works with organizations to holistically fight and manage fraud by providing subject matter expertise on data integrations, analytic models, IT solutioning, system implementations and corresponding processes and procedures. Scott enjoys partnering with his clients on best practices to prevent and minimize fraud exposure by understanding their fraud risk appetite, while maximizing customer experiences. Scott lives in Boston Massachusetts with his wife and daughter where he enjoys spending time outside hiking, bike riding, and relaxing at the beach.

Michael Friedman

Mike Friedman leads strategic innovation for Mastercard’s Identity Solutions team. He has held multiple positions in his 13 years with Mastercard including rotations through Mastercard Foundry (fka Labs), Consumer Solutions and the Digital Future teams. He served as the Managing Editor of Mastercard Signals and produces the Identity Solutions Global Discovery series. Prior to Mastercard, Mike worked in strategy consulting for clients in the payments, technology and consumer products spaces. Mike holds a M.S. in Public Policy Analysis and undergraduate degrees in both economics and healthcare from University of Rochester. He is a patented inventor, an amateur musician and a determined, though frustrated, golfer.

Jessica Thompson

Jessica Thompson is Director of Traceback Operations for the USTelecom-led Industry Traceback Group (ITG), designated by the Federal Communications Commission as the official consortium to trace back illegal robocalls. Jessica has been involved with the ITG for over five years, and today leads the day-to-day operations of the ITG. In this role, among other things, Jessica is the main point of contact for and leads engagement with the ITG’s the law enforcement partners.

Adam Guy

Adam leads sales and business development for RealNetworks Telecommunications and Messaging business. For over 25 years, he has been working in telecommunications, identity, fraud prevention and information services including roles at Neustar, RedViolet, Compete (now comScore), Zettics, Yankee Group (now 451 Research), and GTE (now Verizon).

Ethan Garr

Ethan Garr is best known for growing RoboKiller into a world-leading mobile utility app and he has since worked with several other anti-robocall mobile application providers including Nomorobo.

Stacy Graham

Stacy has over 23 years of experience in the telecoms industry covering a vast array of positions that have fostered her knowledge base. Stacy began her career with Sinch, formerly Inteliquent and ANPI, in 2006 in the Customer Care organization and transitioned into roles focusing on customer quality of service, KPI monitoring/reporting, carrier performance, routing management and vendor relations, product management, fraud monitoring, and credit risk. Currently Stacy holds the role of Trust & Assurance Policy Director, covering all operational policy associated with Trust & Assurance topics (i.e. Do Not Originate, STIR/SHAKEN, Fraud Management, RMD, etc.) as well as managing all policy and processes associated with Know Your Customer for all products across the voice business unit.

Alex Quilici

Alex Quilici is the CEO of YouMail, a leader in providing and enabling safe communication services. Prior to YouMail, Alex co-founded and was the CEO of Quack.com, which provided a consumer voice portal service that was essentially SIRI over a 1-800 number back before there were smart phones. AOL acquired Quack for $200 million, just 18 months after it was founded. At AOL, Alex was a Vice President of Voice Services, where he helped drive the division to multiple product launches and over 1 million paying subscribers and over $50 million in annual revenue. Alex holds a PhD in Computer Science from UCLA, and is the co-inventor on over 20 patents.

Jim Tyrrell

Jim Tyrrell is Vice President of Enterprise Product Management for Transaction Network Services (TNS) Communications Market business. In this role, he takes the lead on TNS’ enterprise product management activities, working closely with the wider Communications Market product team and colleagues in sales, marketing and operations, among others. An innovative strategist, Jim’s focus is to drive the advancement of TNS’ go-to-market initiatives, refine the communication of its value proposition, generate thought leadership opportunities and ensure all activities support the company vision. With more than 25 years’ experience in product management, development and marketing roles, Jim prides himself in being a creative problem solver.

Michael O’Brien

Michael O’Brien is Executive Vice President of Corporate Business Development at iconectiv. He is responsible for executing on the company’s strategy and driving new pathways of sustainable growth for the company. An experienced industry veteran, O’Brien has more than 35 years of experience in the mobile communications industry. Prior to joining iconectiv, he served as Group Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Syniverse, where he focused on product and geographic expansion to support the company’s strategic priorities. O’Brien was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Roaming and Interconnect Industry by Rocco Research in 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Computer Science Degree from the University of Virginia, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Matt Mizenko

Kevin Rupy

Kevin G. Rupy is a partner in the Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) Practice at Wiley Rein, LLP, and has over twenty years of experience in the communications legal field. Mr. Rupy is a recognized expert in the area of robocalls, having established USTelecom’s Industry Traceback Group, testified before the Senate on several occasions, and is frequently interviewed by media outlets on the issue. He was previously Vice President of Policy at USTelecom, where he served for approximately 14 years. Prior to joining USTelecom, Mr. Rupy practiced with the telecommunications group at an Am Law 200 firm in Washington. He also served for six years in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. Mr. Rupy received his J.D. from American University, and his B.A. from Fordham University.

Linda Vandeloop

Linda Vandeloop has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Linda has held a variety of positions at AT&T, primarily in the Regulatory and Financial Management organizations. She currently works in AT&T’s Federal Regulatory organization in the Washington D.C. office. In her current position she is responsible for consumer and accessibility federal regulatory issues. Linda began her career in California at Pacific Bell in the Financial Management organization responsible for revenue forecasting and financial analysis of regulatory issues. She has a Masters of Administration Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis.

Doug Ranalli

Douglas Ranalli is the Founder and CEO of Gated Networks, a provider of enhanced display settlement services to the Branded Calling ID ecosystem administered by the CTIA. Prior to Gated Networks, Mr. Ranalli was Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of NetNumber, Inc., a leading provider of core-network signaling-control technology to the global communications industry. Mr. Ranalli is a serial entrepreneur, the author of 6 communications related patents, and the subject of several case studies utilized by MBA programs around the world. Mr. Ranalli holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cornell University (with distinction) and an MBA from the Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar.

John Marinho

John is Vice President of Technology and Cybersecurity at CTIA. He leads efforts to help the wireless industry secure its networks and devices against cybersecurity threats, implement industry technology programs, and advocate for sensible and practical regulations based on industry led solutions. He founded the industry’s Cybersecurity Working Group (CSWG) and serves as CTIA's primary liaison with government agencies on cybersecurity. During his tenure he deployed national technology programs for anti-theft device security, the Location Accuracy Industry Test Bed for 911 services, and the IoT Cybersecurity Certification program. He holds the Bell Labs President's Award for Innovation and was awarded several Bell Labs patents in the field of wireless network optimization, network design and RF technology. Marinho is the retired Chairman of the TIA TR45 Standards Committee and is the recipient of the CTIA and TIA Industry Service Award for his efforts in setting wireless industry standards. He holds degrees from the Rutgers Graduate School of Management and the New Jersey Institute of Technology in electrical engineering.

Mark Collier

Mark Collier leads R&D of SecureLogix’s corporate technology, as well as research in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Previously, he spent 14 years at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), where he managed and contributed to software research and development projects in fields including information warfare. Mark holds a B.S. in Computer Science from St. Mary’s University.

Patrick Rea

Patrick Rea joined Hiya in 2021 and is a Senior Product Manager for Hiya Connect. Prior to joining Hiya, Patrick spent 3 years at Amazon Web Services helping build out their Cloud Storage (S3) and AI/ML offerings. Patrick previously worked as a strategy consultant at The Boston Consulting Group. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and holds a B.Sc. in Actuarial Science and Applied Mathematics.