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Debika Bhattacharya: A New Chapter with the Exceptional Women Alliance

The Exceptional Women Alliance (EWA) has taken an exciting step forward with the addition of Debika Bhattacharya, a renowned leader in the telecommunications field and former Chief Technology Officer of Verizon Business. Announced on June 8, 2026, this welcome marks a significant moment for both Bhattacharya and the EWA, which focuses on empowering high-level women executives from various industries.

With an impressive career exceeding three decades in telecom, Bhattacharya has earned a global reputation as a visionary leader. She is particularly celebrated for her dedication to scaling complex technology solutions and promoting opportunities for women and minorities in STEM fields. Following her retirement in February 2026, she is now eager to leverage her extensive expertise to support the next generation of corporate leaders.

Key Achievements and Leadership Roles

During her time at Verizon Business, Bhattacharya played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s B2B customer experience. Her strategic initiatives encompassed the entire technology lifecycle—product development, design, solution deployment, and operational enablement.

Before becoming CTO, she was the Chief Product Officer, overseeing the entire product portfolio and shaping the company’s strategy. Her track record includes leading transformative optical wave deployments and spearheading significant global network expansions for Fortune 1000 clients across the globe.

“Debika stands as a true pioneer, whose intricate technical knowledge and leadership skills have significantly shaped the modern telecommunications landscape,” expressed Larraine Segil, the Founder and CEO of EWA. “Her commitment to mentoring underrepresented groups aligns seamlessly with our mission at EWA, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our community.”

Throughout her notable career, Bhattacharya has held numerous critical executive roles both domestically and internationally. Her service extended beyond corporate leadership; she actively engaged with the MIT community, aiming to elevate the representation of women and minorities in engineering and tech fields.

A Message of Inspiration

Expressing her enthusiasm about joining EWA, Bhattacharya stated, “Becoming part of EWA ranks among the best decisions I’ve made. I feel privileged to be surrounded by such an extraordinary group of women, all of whom demonstrate generosity and kindness daily.”

The EWA operates as an exclusive invitation-only peer mentorship platform designed to foster growth, learning, sharing, and success among exceptional women from diverse sectors. Membership is not only based on achieving significant professional success; it also emphasizes character traits that reflect the EWA culture, including kindness, generosity, and gratitude.

Through experiential learning and deep connections, the EWA aims to guide each member in achieving sustainable success—one woman at a time. As a life-long program, the EWA ensures that members remain connected as alumnae within the ever-expanding community of empowered women leaders.

The arrival of Debika Bhattacharya further solidifies EWA’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in leadership roles. Her wealth of experience and steadfast dedication to uplifting others propels the EWA’s mission forward, laying a foundation for a more equitable future in the corporate world.