Colt CEO Keri Gilder speaks on the future of the telecom industry

Women working at Colt Technology Services enjoy many exciting opportunities to shape the telecom industry.

Colt's CEO Keri Gilder kicked off the DTW Ignite conference in Copenhagen with an opening keynote address igniting bold, honest dialogue about the future of the telecom industry, setting the stage for pathways to growth.

DTW Ignite also saw Keri's colleagues, Chief Digital & Information Officer Ashish Surti and Chief AI Architect Frank O. Miller, share insights on composable IT architectures and how to build agile, future-ready infrastructure that drives innovation.

Bringing together telco and tech experts

DTW Ignite sees groundbreaking innovations, expert insights, and networking opportunities at DTW Ignite, where telco and tech experts collaborate, innovate and grow an AI-enabled future together. Attendees have the opportunity connect with inspiring speakers, get hands-on with real-world use-cases in action, and tackle real challenges with real solutions. DTW Ignite sessions challenge the audience to confront challenges and uncover solutions in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by AI, economic pressures, and shifting customer needs.

Responsible for executing Colt's strategy

As Colt CEO, Keri is responsible for executing the company's strategy which centres around putting the power of the digital universe in the hands of its customers - wherever, whenever and however they need. Before becoming CEO, Keri was Colt’s Chief Commercial Officer, leading global teams across sales, presales and marketing, as well as working closely with the wider organisation to ensure Colt delivered for its customers.

Before joining Colt, Keri held several leadership roles at Ciena but was most recently its Vice President and General Manager EMEA, responsible for guiding Ciena’s EMEA service provider and enterprise customers, as well as partners.

Prior to Ciena, Keri worked in multiple roles for Lucent Technologies, and she has also worked for Hughes Aircraft as a Network Engineer. Keri has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management Information Systems (MIS) from New Mexico State University. Keri lives in London with her husband and two children and is based at Colt’s head office in London.

Promoting diversity and inclusion

Keri was named CEO of the Year 2024 at TMT Finance Awards; included in Management Today's Women in Leadership Power List; named People’s Choice Woman of the Year by Network X; CEO of the Year at the World Communications Awards; Outstanding Female Executive (Pacific Telecoms Council); Outstanding Contributor (Layer123 awards) and a leader that ‘has the ability to move mountains’ (Global Telecoms Women’s Network).

Keri is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion to ensure Colt is a business where everyone feels they can bring their true selves to work. In addition, Keri brings this passion to the wider industry as the Chair of the TM Forum’s Diversity & Inclusion Council and President of the Global Telecom Women's Network.