Kristina Hawthorne
Kristina Hawthorne is a Voice and Collaboration Modernization Strategist with over 27 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Her career began with a legal-focused associate degree and early work as a paralegal, but a pivotal moment came when she was unexpectedly let go from a receptionist position due to workplace bias. This challenge became a turning point: within a month, she connected with a woman-owned telecommunications company and quickly mastered their telephone system training. That opportunity launched her long-standing career in voice and collaboration solutions, ultimately leading her to senior roles managing multi-platform deployments for companies such as Blue Wire Communications.
Kristina’s professional expertise spans the full client lifecycle, from pre-sales and quoting to implementation, training, and post-sale support. She has successfully led transitions from legacy hardware systems to cloud-based solutions, including Avaya Cloud Office, RingCentral, and Zoom, ensuring seamless virtual communication for clients—a critical achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for her meticulous project management and technical adaptability, she has executed multi-site UCaaS migrations, streamlined user adoption, and contributed significantly to company growth and client satisfaction. Her dual certifications in RingCentral and Zoom, combined with decades of hands-on experience, underscore her position as a trusted and highly capable leader in her field.
Outside of work, Kristina is deeply committed to her family and personal passions. She enjoys traveling for family vacations, spending time with her sons, extended family, and her five-year-old grandson. She lives on 13 acres of hobby farmland, producing fresh crops for her family each year, and is an active Tier One member of “A Girl and a Gun,” an organization that promotes confidence and training for women firearm owners. Describing herself as a workaholic with a passion for learning, Kristina has continually advanced her skills through manufacturer certifications and hands-on experience, embodying both dedication and resilience throughout her remarkable career.
• Partner Sales Engineer Certification Course 101
• Rockford Career College - AAS
• Mission trip to a Human Trafficking orphanage in Chaing Mai, Thailand
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the telecommunications industry is to be strong, confident, and proactive in their growth. Continuously seek out opportunities to learn and master the skills necessary to stay ahead, whether through training, certifications, or hands-on experience. Embrace challenges as opportunities to demonstrate your capabilities, advocate for yourself, and build meaningful relationships these qualities are essential for long-term success and advancement in a competitive and evolving field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the telecommunications industry is that it still reflects a “good old boys’ club” culture. Women remain underrepresented, and career growth can be limited by a lack of support and advocacy from some male colleagues. At the same time, this challenge presents a significant opportunity: by fostering inclusion, mentorship, and allyship, women can help shape a more equitable and collaborative environment, paving the way for diverse perspectives, innovation, and long-term success for future leaders in the field.