The industry-leading Officers and Board of Directors driving Mplify’s success.
Mplify Alliance (formerly MEF Forum) has a long history of industry collaboration to solve shared business challenges, which is engrained in our mission and organizational structure. The member-elected, business-focused Board of Directors helps to reinforce the membership’s direction to deliver measurable value to the industry and its stakeholders.
Nan Chen
Chief Executive Officer, Mplify
Nan is a tech entrepreneur, a world traveler, and an avid runner.
As a tech entrepreneur, Nan founded and serves as CEO of Mplify, the organization that defines, certifies, and federates global communications/Internet services. Nan also founded CENX (acquired by Ericsson) that pioneered industry first service assurance solution using AI/ML automation. His previous ventures include Atrica (acquired by Nokia) and SynOptics/Bay Networks (acquired by Nortel). Nan has been recognized regularly as one of Top 100 Most Influential People in Telecom/Internet Industry.
As a world traveler, Nan visited over 60 countries mostly for work, and over 300 wineries mostly for pleasure.
As an avid runner and collegiate pole vault champion, Nan raced over 30 marathons, including Paris Olympics and World Marathon Majors.
Kevin Vachon
Chief Operating Officer, Mplify
As COO since 2006, Kevin leads a team that builds and executes the Mplify Alliance (formerly MEF) ever-increasing mix of global programs. He is actively engaged with Mplify’s global member and partner community and has a broad perspective on the important role that Mplify plays in the industry and how to deliver results.
Kevin currently champions Mplify’s corporate development efforts. Most recently, Kevin led the MEF re-brand to Mplify Alliance project including a revamp of the alliance’s membership structure. He has been instrumental in incubating and scaling adoption of Lifecycle Service Orchestration APIs and led the establishment of the annual Global NaaS Event (GNE)
Prior to joining Mplify, Kevin held the position of CEO of DIATEM Networks Inc., a Carrier Ethernet software company from 2003 to 2005 and was President and CEO of NUVO Network Management, a network management outsourcing company, from 1996 to 2002. Previously, he held other senior management positions with NUVO and spent 10 years in a wide variety of capacities with Gandalf Technologies, a network equipment manufacturer.
Pascal Menezes
Chief Technology Officer, Mplify
As CTO of Mplify, Pascal is a proven technology thought leader, sales evangelist, product manager, and seasoned IP architect with decades of experience in internetworking, next-generation information systems, and communication architectures.
At Mplify, Pascal leads the advancement of cutting-edge automation, security, and networking technologies, focusing on Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), AI-driven networking, Mplify’s Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO), SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), SD-WAN, cloud-scale architectures, edge computing, service assurance, and API-driven interoperability. His work is driving industry alignment around standardization and certification for automation in global communications services.
Pascal is a former Principal at Microsoft, where he spent nearly a decade working on real-time media and network technologies. He has contributed to five startups with multiple successes, received numerous industry thought leadership awards, and presented extensively at global events. Pascal holds over 30 patents and patents pending and has co-authored standards in the IETF, Mplify, and Broadband Forum (MPLS).
Pascal Menezes is also the creator and host of Mplify’s Executives at the Edge podcast. Each podcast episode delves into leading-edge business insights from top network, cloud, and technology executives and industry analysts—listen in!
Daniel Bar-Lev
Chief Product Officer, Mplify
As Mplify’s Chief Product Officer, Daniel is responsible for the development and delivery of Mplify member-driven standards and assets, and a range of Mplify’s industry-facing programs. Mplify’s transformation to an agile-process oriented standards development organization defining, implementing and certifying services means that Mplify can rapidly build broad industry-stakeholder consensus and deliver them in the form of base line standards, APIs, smart contracts and subscriber services which are forming the basis of the rapidly growing NaaS market.
Daniel has been involved in the networking industry for over 30 years holding a variety of positions in RAD Data Communications, as well as co-founding Resolute Networks where he held executive positions. Representing a member, Daniel served on a voluntary basis for 3 years as Global Marketing Co-Chair and was elected three times to the Mplify Board of Directors. Since 2010, Daniel has been a senior member of the Mplify staff.
Sunil Khandekar
Chief Enterprise Development Officer, Mplify
Sunil is a tech executive and founder with over 25 years of experience in cloud networking and telecom. At Mplify, Sunil leads the Enterprise Program, guiding its strategic direction to enhance Mplify’s influence in network, cloud and security ecosystems. He spearheads initiatives to engage the enterprise sector, foster industry collaboration, and elevate Mplify’s thought leadership.
Previously, he founded and led Nuage Networks, scaling it to over $100 million in revenue in five years. Sunil held senior roles at Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia, driving growth and product innovation in global markets. Earlier, Sunil played a pivotal role in defining the IP/MPLS service router market as a founding member at TiMetra Networks, co-authoring the VPLS standard, and later at Alcatel-Lucent, where he led disruptive product strategies against industry incumbents.
Sunil advises startups and growth-stage companies on SaaS, SDN, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and go-to-market strategies, helping them scale and achieve product differentiation.
Debika Bhattacharya
Board Chair, Mplify
Chief Technology Officer,
Verizon Business Group
Debika Bhattacharya is Chief Technology Officer, Verizon Business. She is responsible for ensuring a consistent and simplified end-to-end experience for Verizon’s B2B customers. Her focus spans across the technology lifecycle from product development, to design & solutioning, to operational enablement. Previously she held the role of Chief Product Officer, and was responsible for the company’s holistic product portfolio and its strategy.
As a global executive with 30+ years in the telecommunications industry, Debika has extensive experience leading complex technology projects for Fortune 1000 clients. She has held a variety of executive roles within Verizon, including an overseas assignment in Europe. She was instrumental in the global expansion of Verizon’s communications network, as well as the deployment of breakthrough optical wave technologies.
Debika is deeply committed to the advancement of MEF objectives related to building secure, dynamic and standards-based automated networks with cloud-like experiences.
Paul Gampe
Director, Mplify
Chief Technology Officer,
Console Connect by PCCW Global
Paul Gampe became Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Console Connect by PCCW Global in late 2017 and is able to draw on 20 years’ experience in IT operations, software development and international business.
He had previously held CTO posts at Console Connect Inc and NEXTDC, and served as Vice President of Worldwide Engineering Services and Operations at Red Hat.
Operating as a senior software executive with a substantial technical foundation, Paul has led multidisciplinary teams globally for over 20 years.
Paul holds a wealth of experience in all aspects of the software industry – especially in terms of acquisitions, investments, development, quality engineering, program management and operations – and has led multi-disciplinary teams on a global basis. He is expert in open source technology, has worked extensively in the fields of cloud computing, networks and data centres, and has earned a track record for delivering outstanding financial results.
Earlier in his career, Paul was General Manager of TWICS, Japan’s first public Internet service provider. In the late 1990s, he led technical operations for the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), which is one of the five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) responsible for ensuring fair distribution and management of IP addresses and related resources.
With experience in cloud, networks, data centers, and open source globally, Paul has developed specific expertise in the open source technology landscape. As a highly effective manager, he has a proven track record of managing global teams and products whilst delivering outstanding financial results.
Franck Morales
Secretary, Mplify
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Business Development,
Orange Wholesale International
In August 2023, Franck was appointed as SVP Marketing & Business Development for Orange Wholesale International. In this role Franck oversees developing and managing the full product portfolio from building infrastructures, delivering Bandwidth and IP Services, as well as Voice, Messaging and Roaming Services.
Franck Morales’ 38 years in the industry have centered on the product and marketing, Network Infrastructures and managing strategic industry partnerships, giving him extensive knowledge of the global telecom ecosystem.
From 2013 to 2023, Franck worked within Orange Business the B2B Division. His focus on product and strategic planning for both fixed and mobile technologies, paved the way for his position, over the last 2 years, of VP Evolution Platform. The aim of this strategic program was on building the future orchestrated cloud-native infrastructure, to ensure the delivery of real business outcomes, with use cases like SASE, Cloud Connectivity, and Cloud Services.
Prior to this role, Franck led the connectivity portfolio and was instrumental in the company’s global transformation towards SD-WAN, orchestration, and virtualization.
Franck is also a MEF Board Director, and a frequent and requested speaker promoting Orange and MEF at global industry conferences, including MEF Quarterly meetings, SD-WAN Summit, and other industry partner events.
In his free time, Franck enjoys travelling, skiing, cycling, in addition to Opera and Theatre, and he will be more than happy to share his knowledge of French wines and gastronomy.
Bob Victor
Treasurer, Mplify
Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions,
Comcast Business
Robert (“Bob”) S. Victor is responsible for the development and lifecycle operations of all Comcast Business products and customer solutions.
Bob joined Comcast in 2008, and in prior roles has served as Senior Vice President of Strategic and Financial Planning for Comcast Corporation and Chief Financial Officer for Comcast Business.
Prior to Comcast, Mr. Victor was a Partner at The Boston Consulting Group.
Colin Bannon
Director, Mplify
Chief Technology Officer,
BT Business
Colin is the CTO for BT Business, charged with delivering BT’s product technology strategy-design, customer solutions, supporting strategic business outcomes for BT’s Global Enterprise, Wholesale, SMB, Government, Defence, Health markets, providing service across 180 countries.
In addition to his 20 years in BT, Colin has had engineering leadership and Consulting Engineer roles in IBM Global Services, Lucent INS and Unisys. Colin is active in several technology advisory/standards boards, and a lecturer at Warwick University.
Colin is the architect of some of the largest customer network transformations in the world. Colin is leading BT’s journey to build a Global NaaS platform which BT calls ‘Global Fabric’ which is a fully digitalised, automated, API first platform that includes Internet, MPLS, Ethernet, Cloud interconnectivity, DC Interconnect, Mobile Interconnect, Data Sovereignty, DDos, Edge Compute that supports service insertion including SDWAN and SASE, SSE, SIP, Load Balancing, and Firewalls.
Shawn Hakl
Director, Mplify
Head of AT&T Business, Products,
AT&T Business
Shawn Hakl is the Head of AT&T Business, Products.
In his former position at Microsoft, Shawn was responsible for building and executing the product strategy and partnerships for Microsoft’s Azure for Operators portfolio. His team works across product, engineering, and sales to help operators execute on the digital transformation of the core and edge networks. Prior to Microsoft, Shawn served at Verizon as the Senior Vice President of Business Product, responsible for a $29B portfolio covering services such as enterprise networking, 4G/5G, cyber security, collaboration and IoT.
Silke Hoesch
Director, Mplify
Senior Vice President Wholesale,
Telekom Deutschland
Silke Hoesch is Senior Vice President Wholesale, Telekom Deutschland, Leading the Digitalization, Data Management, Billing and Cash Coordination for the Wholesale Segment.
A Senior Executive with 15+ years Management experience in TelCo, Silke is always focusing on standardization, digitalization, and automation to gain efficiencies and to enable sustainable Business growth.
Starting with T-Mobile International, Silke has held a variety of executive Management positions within the Deutsche Telekom Group, Group Technology, and T-Systems International, and led the FreeMove Alliance as General Manager. In Addition, Silke Serves as Supervisory Board Member Deutsche Telekom Technik GmbH and is an Engaged sponsor of women in STEM.
Rick Lievano
Director, Mplify
Chief Technology Officer, Telecommunications,
Microsoft Corporation
Rick Lievano is the Worldwide CTO for the Microsoft Telecommunications industry. He works with customers and partners in developing telecommunications industry solutions and reference architectures to address the rapidly changing needs of service providers across the globe.
Rick is an enthusiastic participant and speaker in many industry communities, an advocate of industry frameworks and open standards, and holds TM Forum Open Digital Architecture and Business Development Manager Career Certifications. At TM Forum, he is a member of the Collaboration Sub-Committee, overseeing the effective creation and adoption of pragmatic best practices and standards to deliver value to the membership. Rick currently leads initiatives to help operators achieve more by infusing Artificial Intelligence across their business in a secure and responsible manner.
Daniele Mancuso
Director, Mplify
Chief Marketing & Product Management,
Sparkle
Daniele Mancuso has been appointed Chief Marketing & Product Management at Sparkle in February 2024, in charge of developing the Group’s holistic Products Portfolio, its market positioning (geographies, pricing, differentiating elements, marginality constraints) and its alignment against Sparkle’s vision & strategy. The responsibility includes the lifecycle management of Sparkle’s International Points of Presence and Submarine Cables.
In the previous years, he served as Chief Product Management, Chief Marketing Solutions & Business Development, EVP ICT Engineering and Director Innovation & Engineering.
Daniele brings three decades of broad commercial and technical experience in building and marketing telecom networks and associated products, both for wholesale and enterprise markets, spanning from Submarine Cables and related infrastructures to L1 Capacity and L3 IP Transit services, from Carrier Ethernet to SD-WAN, SASE & Multicloud, from International Wholesale Voice to Enterprise cloud-based Geo-Numbering, Unified Communications, and, most recent addition in Sparkle Portfolio, Global IoT connectivity services.
During his years of technological leadership, he triggered the transformation of Sparkle towards an API-centric Global Service Platform, introducing the pillars of a software-defined, virtualized, and programmable network, while ensuring the full commitment of the Company to contribute and follow open standards & certification programs, of which he’s a total believer and supporter.
More recently he initiated the exploration of new technological enablers—such as Distributed Ledger Technology—as source of new revenue streams, bringing Sparkle to join as founding member of the Integrated Trust Network and as sponsor of the MEF LSO Blockchain concept.
In May 2023, keeping his Group Responsibilities, Daniele has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of TI Sparkle Greece, the major Op.Co. in Sparkle Group in terms of technological assets and number of employees.
He is frequently invited as speaker at industry events to share his vision, experience, and execution challenges.
Daniele holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Catania.
Mirko Voltolini
Director, Mplify
Vice President, Innovation,
Colt Technology Services
Mirko Voltolini is VP Innovation at Colt, responsible for leading the effort to define the long-term strategic product roadmap for Colt, working to identify innovative ideas and technologies to ensure Colt is driving forward as an industry leader.
He is responsible to identify, develop and execute an innovation strategy aligned to Colt strategic business goals, to define and manage the Colt innovation process and the portfolio of innovation development projects, to accelerate the validation of new ideas with partners and customers
Prior to this Mirko was the Head of Network On Demand, responsible for leading the effort to architect and develop the Colt network and product portfolio to deliver an online digital customer experience where customers order, design and manage their network services on demand.
He joined Colt in 2002 and has held several senior leadership roles in the technical development and engineering areas.
Mirko is a member of the Board of Directors of MEF and leads Colt contributions to the definition of MEF standards.
Mirko holds an MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico of Milan.
Dave Ward
Director, Mplify
Chief Technology & Product Officer,
Lumen
Dave Ward is Chief Technology & Product Officer for Lumen. In this role, he is responsible for the development, integration and deployment of Lumen’s global network and the disruptive technologies we are deploying to expand the power of our network.
Dave has more than 25 years of experience reinventing and expanding the capabilities of networks and the value they bring to customers. He previously was the CEO of PacketFabric, a rapidly growing networking company that specializes in Network-as-a-Service (NaaS). Under his leadership, it expanded its portfolio and customer base, and grew its network to position the company among the largest network providers on the Internet. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Vice President, CTO-Engineering and Chief Architect at Cisco Systems, and served as a Fellow at both Cisco Systems and Juniper Networks.
Dave holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota.
