Global Telecoms Business recently sought the feedback from its readers to come up with a 50 Women to Watch list for the telecoms sector. The women who made the cut are leaders in the industry and range from CEOs, CTOs, CMOs, research chiefs, regulators and politicians.This year, on International Women's Day, Cloudscene also took a look at the CEOs of the top 100 cloud companies listed on our worldwide directory and uncovered that just 5% were women. This figure correlated with a report released by Catalyst which disclosed that women hold just 5.8% of the CEO positions across all S&P 500 companies.At the time of the announcement, Cloudscene's Founder, Bevan Slattery said: “It would be naive to not acknowledge the importance of more women holding leadership positions in the tech sector globally.“Whether it’s a gender, racial or age diversity imbalance, having the same people in the room does not drive innovation to its full potential. There is more work to be done to push the boundaries of what the tech sector can achieve and diversity is certainly one area that can make a significant difference."We've taken a look at Global Telecoms Business' 50 Women to Watch list to highlight the women leading the telcos that continue to make their mark on the global data center market:Laurinda PangRegional President, Level 3 Communications

• In the job since: 2016
• Previous roles: Began with Level 3 in 1998
• Based: Denver
• Interesting note: Has a Bachelor of Political Science

Level 3 has 333 data centers and 642 PoPs spanning 132 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, the telecom giant is ranked number one in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1022" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

Level 3 has 642 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Tami ErwinEVP - Wireless Operations, Verizon Wireless

• In the job since: 2016
• Previous roles: Began within Verizon in 1999
• Based: New Jersey
• Interesting note: Named a "Power Woman" in the NY Moves Magazine's 2016 Power Women Issue

Verizon has 146 data centers and 581 PoPs spanning 119 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, Verizon is ranked 5th in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1026" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

Verizon has 581 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Anne ChowPresident - National Business, AT&T

• In the job since: 2017
• Previous roles: A 27-year AT&T veteran
• Based: Dallas
• Interesting note: Anne manages more than 6,500 staff and is also on numerous boards including the Girls Scouts of the USA

AT&T has 36 data centers and 416 PoPs spanning 100 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, the Texas-based telco is ranked 19th in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1020" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

AT&T has 416 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Maria Grazia PecorariPresident - Digital, Global Portfolio and Marketing, BT

• In the job since: 2014
• Previous roles: Bain & Company
• Based: London
• Interesting note: Studied Economics in both Italy and Japan

BT has 37 data centers and 190 PoPs spanning 59 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, BT is ranked number 18th in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1037" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

BT has 190 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Ronnie KlingnerPresident - Mobility and Digital Services, PCCW Global

• In the job since: 2006
• Previous roles: Teleglobe, Barak ITC and Global One
• Based: Washington DC

PCCW has 14 data centers and 163 PoPs spanning 62 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, PCCW is ranked 52nd in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1028" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

PCCW has 163 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Hélène BarnekowExecutive Vice President and CEO Sweden, TeliaSonera

• In the job since: 2015
• Previous roles: EMC, Sony & Ericsson
• Based: Stockholm
• Interesting note: Earning respect for transforming the company into a "new-generation telco"

TeliaSonera has 30 data centers and 150 PoPs spanning 64 markets. In the last 12 months, TeliaSonera has added 14 new PoPs to its service offering. Based on the number of global data centers, the Swedish telco is ranked 21st in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1023" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

TeliaSonera has 150 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com) [/caption]Fabienne DulacCEO, Orange Business Services (France)

• In the job since: 2015
• Previous roles: France Telecom & VTCOM
• Based: Paris
• Interesting note: Has a Masters of Advanced Studies in Political Sociology

Orange France has 43 data centers and 135 PoPs spanning 55 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, Orange France is ranked 15th in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1027" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

Orange has 135 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption]Robyn DenholmCOO, Telstra

• In the job since: 2016
• Previous roles: Juniper Networks, Sun Microsystems and Toyota
• Based: Sydney
• Interesting note: Sits on the board of Tesla Motors and ABB

Telstra has 7 data centers and 89 PoPs spanning 27 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, Telstra is ranked 116th in the world on Cloudscene.[caption id="attachment_1024" align="aligncenter" width="600"]

Telstra has 89 PoPs listed on Cloudscene (Source: cloudscene.com)[/caption] Other notable Telco women to watch:Allison KirkbyPresident and Group CEO, Tele2

• In the job since: 2015
• Previous roles: 21st Century Fox, Virgin Media and Procter & Gamble
• Based: Stockholm
• Interesting note: Allison is a qualified Accountant

Tele2 has 8 data centers and 42 PoPs spanning 12 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, the Swedish telco is ranked 93rd in the world on Cloudscene.Safra Catz Co-CEO, Oracle

• In the job since: 2014
• Previous roles: An 18-year Oracle veteran
• Based: San Francisco
• Interesting note: Safra sat on the executive committee for Donal Trump's presidential transition team!

Oracle has 3 data centers and 13 PoPs spanning 10 markets listed on Cloudscene. In the next 12 months however, Oracle will complete three new data centers and has another facility planned for India in the near future. Based on the number of global data centers, Oracle is ranked 275th in the world on Cloudscene.Chua Sock KoongGroup CEO, Singtel

• In the job since: 2007
• Previous roles: Joined Singtel as Treasurer in 1989
• Based: Singapore
• Interesting note: Presently investing heavily in cyber security

Singtel has 12 data centers and 36 PoPs spanning 18 markets listed on Cloudscene. Based on the number of global data centers, Singtel is ranked 63rd in the world on Cloudscene.