Melanie Kiley is Sr. Corporate Counsel for T-Mobile’s technology division. She also chairs the company’s Women’s Leadership Network and is driven to advocate for gender and racial equity. She is a wife, a mother, a leader, a lawyer, and a woman in recovery. Hear how she navigates all of these roles and what’s next for this amazing woman.
Originally published Dec 25, 2018
Transcript link (uncorrected machine translation)
Melanie Kiley is Sr. Corporate Counsel for T-Mobile’s technology division. She also chairs the company’s Women’s Leadership Network and is driven to advocate for gender and racial equity. She is a wife, a mother, a leader, a lawyer, and a woman in recovery. Hear how she navigates all of these roles and what’s next for this amazing woman.
[00:00:09]Welcome back to the I Am Virago podcast, where we get real about the struggle, drop the occasional F-bomb, and hear how amazing Virago women imperfectly navigate the world around them.
[00:00:20] Today's guest, Melanie Kiley, is senior corporate counsel for T-Mobile
Technology Division. She also chairs the company's Women's Leadership Network,
which enjoys an impressive membership of over 13000 women and male allies. She
loves her job and her work with the W.L. and even more. You're on candid conversation
about recovery. Her drive to advocate for gender and racial equity and how employee
networks can have a positive impact on both employees and the bottom line.
[00:00:50] So grab that cup of ambition. Let's get started.
[00:00:54] My name is Melanie Kylie and to pay the bills, I am senior corporate counsel
at T-Mobile focused on supporting our technology executives across the country. I am
passionate about several things, but there's two that I'll share with you. The first that's
near and dear to my heart is advocating for gender and racial equity and empowering
those that feel marginalized. To have a voice and then find passion is. I love
mountaineering.
[00:01:25] Mountaineering. Okay, well, we're gonna get to that because I want to hear.
But going back, I know that you are one of the reasons I want to talk to you is you are
the chair of the Women's Leadership Network at T-Mobile. That's right. And how long
have you been doing that?
[00:01:37] I've been the chair since April of twenty eighteen. And prior to that, I was the
vice chair and began in September of 2016. And what have you what what has been
your takeaway so far of being the chair? It's been an amazing experience. Our member
base is we have thirteen thousand five hundred employees that are members now. Yes,
pretty amazing. We have eleven board chairs and we have ten separate committees
that are driving change and awareness throughout the company, amounting to about 50
committee leaders. So we have really been very active at driving gender diversity
awareness and amplifying the great strengths of our members across the country. It's
been extremely rewarding and I get to work with fantastic, talented board chairs that are
so skilled in what they do.
[00:02:36] And if the experience has been amazing, that is amazing. What advice would
you give to folks at other companies who want to build up a network like this?
[00:02:45] Building up a network like this allows the employees to find trusted
colleagues to share some of the challenges that they're experiencing. In turn, that
makes those employees feel very valued and welcomed. And it doesn't make them feel
alone, which then increases productivity, increases innovation. It allows your employees
to really feel valued, to bring their true selves to work without any fear of judgment or
criticism, which then ultimately positively impacts the business bottom line.
[00:03:22] Absolutely. So in order to be the chair of the Women's Leadership Network at
T-Mobile, you've to work at T-Mobile. And so you said you're senior corporate counsel
and technology. What is your day to day look like?
[00:03:33] Sure. So I joined T-Mobile in 2009, and since I've been here, I've have
supported many different internal clients in the technology organization, primarily our
network engineers. So throughout the country, we have thousands of cell sites and
thousands of Das infrastructures that allow our customers to have fantastic cell
coverage and high speed broadband coverage. So I am the legal support on all things
that have to do with cell sites.
[00:04:07] I suspect you might be partially responsible then for improved cell service out
in the Olympic Peninsula. I used to not be able to get service out there and now I get it
crystal clear. So thank you very much to the network engineers. Yes, our network is
streaming fast and it's been an evolution. And we are we are really rocking it right now.
And it's been a real gift to be a part of that fun doing. I imagine there's a lot of contract
work that you do. Yes. And to sit here, you talk about it as a gift and see it that way
rather than just do contracts. It's wonderful. You clearly love your work.
[00:04:41] Yes. And just recently, I was reorgs and I now will be focused on other work
that is going to be super interesting. We'll be doing cloud services, deals and software
as a service and supporting some of our back office I.T. functions. So it's wonderful to
continue to grow. Get that experience.
[00:05:01] Nice.
[00:05:02] So what does a recent personal or professional success that you've had that
you want to talk about? Sure.
[00:05:09] I mean, I would say in my career, the best thing that I've been a part of,
really, is this Women's Leadership Network leadership role. Being vice chair and chair
has been really life changing for me. It's it's given me a broader understanding of how
diversity and inclusion can positively impact corporate culture while also really
encouraging and empowering your employees. And that's such a gift. It's such a gift to
give back. In addition to that, I also have learned so much. Again, I am on part of a
board of eleven other board chairs in different parts of the company. So I've learned so
much from their own expertise and had a broader understanding of T-Mobile as a
business. It's been such an amazing growth opportunity and extremely fulfilling.
[00:06:05] But that is I've worked in companies like this and I've always found it to be a
really great networking opportunity and a way to learn about other parts of the business
by joining these organizations because you meet people you wouldn't otherwise meet.
[00:06:18] Exactly. And, you know, I've seen other women build their network and either
do lateral job changes into other parts of the business because they've really fostered
that network or get promotions because they've gotten a deeper understanding of how
the company works and they've built those relationships and network that can kind of
sponsor them and help them continue to excel. So it's I think it's been extremely
important for me personally and I see how so many of our members are benefiting from
it, too.
[00:06:50] Well, thank you for the good work that you're doing. As listeners know, we
like to go to the the dark side. So is there a professional or personal struggle that you
want to share with us? Sure.
[00:07:03] So I can share a couple of things. One personal struggle for me is I come
from a family history of alcoholism. So I've been in recoveries for several years. And
when I first started my journey, it was something that I was very scared to share with
others. I thought it would be career limiting. And in fact, it has been anything but. When I
share my story, it helps empower others and helps them again be their true, authentic
self. And it's been such a gift. I feel like I have a deeper awareness and understanding
on how to connect with others. And again, that's been such a gift for me to be able to
help others succeed in things that they're finding challenging. That's a personal
challenge that I've gone through professionally. A challenge that I've gone through is
because of all this great work that we're doing with the Women's Leadership Network.
I'm really exploring at this time in my life is law where I really want to be. It's been an
amazing career being an attorney. I comment on being a lawyer is like having a
superpower because I really feel very educated on anything I read in my personal
professional life.
[00:08:27] I feel like I can understand the risk and navigate through it. So it's been a
rewarding career that way. That being said, empowering others in leading teams has
ignited a fire in me that I knew was always there early in my career, started out in
management and leadership and really exploring getting back into that. Whether it's,
you know, in a legal role or potentially in a business role. So the reason why it's a bit of
a challenge is I'm you know, I'm feeling a little bit nervous about jumping ship. It's went
on and have really fostered a 15 year career as an attorney. And to pivot into something
completely new can be a little scary. But again, I just love leading teams, helping others
succeed. You know, being that hand reaching out to somebody else to help them
navigate a path up is very rewarding. And I want more of that. So I'm kind of at a
crossroads in my career right now and in exploring options.
[00:09:29] The Crossroads, we've had other folks on the podcast who are in a similar
spot. It is it's a scary place to be, but it's also really exhilarating. Exactly. It really is.
[00:09:39] And to be able to influence others and also partner with others and tap into
their expertise to grow is something that I'm really looking forward to continuing. Well,
how did you come to realize that you were at this crossroads, doing this role on the.
Leadership Network. We're doing great work and there's a lot of work. I mean, there's a
lot of time that we're all spending on doing this work as far as driving awareness about
gender diversity and putting together programs that are influential. And although it's
work and it takes up a ton of time, it doesn't feel like work is really enjoyable. And so it's
really made me think, you know, we spend so much of our time at work, why not be
doing something that really fuels that passion and joy while, you know, turn it into a
career that pays the bills? I mean, so what do you think your next steps are for sorting
out what is next for you? Well, one of the benefits, again, of building out a network is
being able to tap into other talented women and men to get their perspectives of what
they enjoy about their jobs and their departments. And I've been really nurturing a
network to do that. And, you know, right now I am still seeking the kind of the right
home. Again, I have just started to take on new work, which is very fascinating in my
role as an attorney here in-house. But then there's, you know, there's other
opportunities, whether it could be in opportunity and diversity, inclusion or a business
role in another organization, internally or externally. You know that I'm still exploring
those options. And it sounds like you're talking about this openly and trying to search
out and figure out what the next steps are. And you're you're talking to. You're not
making it a secret. You're talking about it. Right. So many people are afraid to say, I
want to try something, because if I say something, they're going to fire me.
[00:11:49] Right. What's your experience been?
[00:11:51] You know, I think it's it ends up being a personal choice because I do have
that fear, quite frankly. But I know that this podcast is about helping empower others. So
I'm trying to be authentic about pushing through those fears. And I think that I personally
have more to offer and I want to get more out of my career as well. And for a long time,
what I was doing, I was happy with and it was good enough. I have two young kids, so I
went through a period where I had a couple of kids. So I, you know, jumping ship to a
new career while they were babies. It was a little bit too scary for me, but they're three
and a half and five now. And I'm like, OK, it's time. It's really it's really time. I want to
continue to grow and I want other women to feel empowered to do the same. We so
often have that inner critic that really limits. I mean, we are our own worst enemy quite
often where we limit our growth and our potential. And that's why I'm sharing my stories.
[00:12:58] I don't what I want others to know that it's real, that inner critic is real and we
can push through it. And really, the sky is the limit when we do. So, again, I'm not sure
where my journey is going to lead me, but I'm on my way.
[00:13:12] And well, and you're being very intentional about it and taking control. You
hear folks say, well, the employee needs to drive their professional development. And I
agree. No one's gonna take care of you better than you are going to take care of you.
And I think talking about it and being open and honest, as long as one is performing and
doing well in their job, you know, being honest about what their ambitions are, I would
hope would be applauded and encouraged.
[00:13:40] I think about the level of my career and my age where I've, you know, I'm still
always growing. And there are aspects of me that are immature. But I've reached an
age of maturity where I think that a true leader should want their team member, want
their subordinate to really stretch and grow and accomplish their full potential. And I,
too, in my career have had those leaders that tend to try to hold you down. And in my
mind, they shouldn't be in those leadership roles. I truly believe they've gotten in that
role at the wrong phase of their development. But I can't control that. So I you know, I
find the leaders and I find my tribe that's going to really support the talent and skill that I
have. There is a message that I saw on Instagram that I think about. It says, surround
yourself by the people that make you feel like the sunshine. And I really believe that's
really true is, you know, it's you're going to encounter people in your life that may make
it feel a bit like cloudy, but continue to push through because the time will pass and then
you will eventually, you know, you have to make those contacts network seek
opportunity in order to. Again, find the sunshine and make be around the people that
see your value and see your talent.
[00:15:05] Hallelujah. Yes.
[00:15:08] So you talked about your always growing. Is there a particular skill that you're
working on or some kind of personal development or professional development that
you're currently working on right now?
[00:15:19] Sure. I'd say it's kind of a double sided coin. So I've learned that my inner
critic really holds me back. So I've been trying to be cognizant and self aware of that
inner critic and kind of put that voice to the side and continue to push through, which
sometimes that's hard because especially in corporate culture, you know, you're always
getting tips on how to be more self-aware and what can you do to improve in certain
areas. And I think that that that is a valid thing to look at. But if you're someone like me
who may take that to the other end of that, and then you kind of let that constant self
analyzation really slow you down and negatively impact you, then it's not balanced and
it's not healthy. So I've been really focused on trying to have a balanced perspective on
that. And then I also noticed that earlier in my career, I've always been very focused on
getting the job done over exceeding on the goal, being very focused on the action items
at hand. And then my son was born when I was thirty seven and then my daughter
when I was thirty eight. And I realized like, there's no time to do anything. And I think it's
vital that we are all building our networks and our support system because you want to
find trusted sponsors and mentors and colleagues that you trust that want used to
succeed to help you see your gaps.
[00:16:52] And then also to help bring awareness about other opportunities that could
be beneficial for you career wise. So, you know, I think I got a little bit tunnel visioned in
my earlier in my career by just trying to get the work done and not really fostering
network. Good enough. So I've been very focused on trying to do that. And it's, again,
so rewarding. You're able to help others. They help you. It's been great. So I always try
to educate other women that building your network is something that you should just put
into your calendar as part of your job. And I know I talk to women every day and they
don't realize they should be doing that because they're like, I have all these family
obligations after work or, you know, whether it's caring for an elderly parent or children
or anybody, you know, a sick friend. And then but then I have to get through all this
workload in the office. And you really still need to continue to try to build in that time to
have a network.
[00:17:48] And the network is a two way street to it. Just want to really emphasize
something you said. It's not just about you getting something out the network. It's your
ability to give back to the network and help other people as well. Right. That is as
rewarding or even more rewarding, I think, at times the exact way or extracting from that
network.
[00:18:04] Exactly. And especially I've been focused on trying to make sure that network
is diverse, diverse careers, diverse cultures, diverse perspectives. And it's extremely
interesting, all the conversation that comes out of those. And then again, how more
educated you get as an individual in these other areas that you just didn't have enough
information in.
[00:18:28] Nice. So what makes you, Rocco?
[00:18:32] What makes me Everardo? So first of all, I use the term warrier all the time.
So when I saw the definition of Virago, I was like, this is fantastic.
[00:18:42] And so I think all women are constantly navigating cultural bias. There's so
much gender stereotypes that are put on us as women. In addition of that, there's
unconscious bias wherever you go. So you're tending to have to overachieve and
whatever you do while navigating a lot of kind of emotional and unconscious bias
issues. And it can be exhausting at times. It really can. But I, I keep saying, you know,
we are the change. Right. So if that changes and going to happen, unless we're
speaking up, even though it may be scary or we're pushing forward, and that's what
makes me a warrior, is I don't have any other choice in my moral compass. But to
continue to push forward, educate others on about gender diversity. Help empower
women to feel courageous. I mean, they're courageous and awesome any way. But
being a woman, I can understand how at times you feel like. Is it me? Is it. Is it. Yeah. Is
it me or is there something. Is there something wrong with me. Is there something that
I'm doing. And I think power. When we collectively all work together to try to push
change. So I think that's what what makes me a warrior is I really have a passion for
that. And there's a lot of negative stuff in the media right now with the Metoo movement.
And I actually think it's positive. It's positive, but it's hard to hear it all the time. But all of
this is really great for where we are in our culture because it is going to continue to push
the needle the way it needs to go. So keep persevering. Be resilient out there. Give. To
have some self care on days that you can't really listen to it or fight the good fight.
That's great. Take a break. But get back on the horse and keep pushing forward.
[00:20:43] Yes. So we're coming to the end. What question do you wish I would have
asked you that I didn't.
[00:20:50] I really love this question. I think that something I try to educate others on is
the power of failure. I have two stepsons, a son and a daughter, and all the boys are
super confident. And I are. I already see my daughter. She's confident, you know, but
she doesn't want to fail and has kind of a different reaction to failure. So I think women
should really embrace failure and look at it as a stepping stone in the right direction,
because sometimes if you're not failing, you're not trying and you're not pushing
yourself. So I personally have tried to revamp kind of my definition of failure. And I think
it's valuable for other women to do the same thing is really embrace failure, figure out
what went wrong. But then again, just keep pushing through. Be resilient. Keep
persevering forward. Everybody fails. It's not a big deal. I played sports. I played
basketball. And Michael Jordan always says he missed thousands of shots before he
was making shots. So it's that having the courage to continue to push forward and try
something, even if you fail. Keep keep doing it.
[00:22:06] Very wise words. Thank you very much. Thank you for your time. Thank you
for your your vulnerability and your authenticity. This has been a real pleasure. Thank
you. Janice, really honored to be interviewed today. Thank you so much.
[00:22:22] Thank you, my Viragos, for listening to the I Am Virago podcast. Check out new episodes every Tuesday. If you have ideas or suggestions of whom you'd like to hear from on this podcast, go to IAmVirago.com and leave a message. And remember, you are Virago.