The CW Team
Michaela Eschbach
Michaela has an impressive track record as a Founder and Director, both in the not-for-profit and for-profit space.
As co-founder of Form the Future CIC, Michaela drove strategic direction and operations for this multi-award-winning organisation which connects young people with career opportunities. As Managing Director of Founders4Schools, Michaela led the operational, financial and cultural transformation of this ed-tech charity.
Michaela is known for her passion and dedication in successfully driving companies through growth and challenges.
She was winner of the Cambridge News ‘Cambridge’s Most Influential Businesspeople Award’ in 2017 and was included in the EU-Startups’ Top 100: Europe’s Most Influential Women in the Startup and Venture Capital Space in 2023.
Michaela says, "As CEO of Cambridge Wireless, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this exceptional organisation through a period of dynamic change in the tech landscape. Together with our dedicated members, we will harness the power of innovation to not only adapt to the evolving industry but to also drive it forward, ensuring Cambridge Wireless remains the cornerstone of technological advancement and value creation."
Rachel Kerr
Rachel joined CW (Cambridge Wireless) in June 2017 as Senior Events & Conference Manager and is now Head of Events. Working alongside industry experts in the Special Interest Groups and the CW event team, Rachel overseas the strategy and delivery for the CW programme of events. She coordinated the inaugural Inclusive Innovation Conference in September 2017 which launched CW’s D&I initiative and manages the CW International Conference (CWIC), the CW Technology & Engineering Conference (CWTEC) and Cambridge Tech Week (CTW). Rachel has over 12 years’ experience running conferences and events, previous roles include event management for a not-for-profit organisation dealing with career and skills development, working for a press monitoring company and, ‘back in the day’ she worked at a very rock-n-roll recording & rehearsal studio.
Laura Farthing
Laura joined the CW team back in 2013 as an Events Intern. Now, as Head of Operations, Laura is responsible for the seamless running of CW’s internal systems and procedures. Methodical by nature, Laura manages a range of activities including the CW website and the annual Board Elections on top of helping out at various events.
Previous to CW, Laura graduated from Cambridge School of Art with a photography degree. Her creative flair and good eye-for-detail has enabled her to support the CW rebrand and website transformation project.
After work and at the weekends, you’ll find Laura skating with the Cambridge Rollerbillies. To say she is a roller derby fan would be an understatement! She lives and breathes the sport so delegates needn’t worry about all the bruises…
Lindsay Bliss
I am an experienced membership engagement and customer success specialist, currently serving as Membership Success Manager at Cambridge Wireless (CW), where she supports innovators, disruptors, and industry leaders shaping the future of connectivity. In my role, I work closely with CW’s diverse community to help members maximise the value of their engagement whether by connecting them with the right Special Interest Groups, elevating their visibility across CW platforms, or identifying strategic opportunities to showcase their expertise. Her focus is on empowering members to deepen their involvement, collaborate more effectively, and unlock meaningful outcomes through the CW ecosystem.
Before joining Cambridge Wireless, I built a strong foundation in member support, onboarding, and customer experience at The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, where I held roles as Membership Coordinator and Client Services Associate. My work there emphasised seamless customer journeys, tailored guidance, and relationship-building across a global professional membership base. She also gained valuable experience in customer management and service leadership through earlier roles with insurance companies at RSA, Robert J Goodson Ltd, and the family and children’s charity at Family Action, as a Pre-School deputy Manager contributing to a well-rounded expertise in client care, operations, and stakeholder communication.
With over a decade of experience supporting people, solving problems, and championing positive member outcomes, I am passionate about fostering thriving professional communities. Based in Peterborough, she gets involved in leading youth clubs in her free time, as well as being a Zumba dancer.
Mario Lizzio
Mario is an accomplished Business Development manager, with extensive experience in SAAS, CPAAS, Professional Services and Managed Services . With a proven track record in driving growth and fostering industry relationships, Mario has worked at TransUnion, Altron, Infobip and Connex One in senior roles covering diverse industry sectors and markets globally, achieving strategic alliances and advancing key projects that align with future technological advancements.
At Cambridge Wireless, Mario assumes the role of Business Development Executive, where the primary focus is on expanding the organization’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) through new memberships and sponsorships. In this capacity, Mario is dedicated to engaging with industry leaders, innovators, and thought leaders to strengthen the SIGs, enhance collaborative opportunities, and attract new stakeholders who share a commitment to the growth of wireless and communication technologies.
Ema Holman
Ema joined CW (Cambridge Wireless) in early 2025 as the Project Manager of Cambridge Tech Week, and is responsible for coordinating stakeholders, logistics, and programme delivery for this major annual flagship event.
New to the world of tech, Ema is enjoying working in this exciting field, having spent a career creating and delivering cultural events across the arts, festivals, education, and community sectors. Her varied leadership experience includes running two regional galleries, a community music organisation, an international music festival as well as developing cluster school programmes for young people. Additionally, she has supported grassroots charities by developing fundraising strategies, governance models, sitting on committees as well as practical hands-on support running events – she is happiest when organising, problem‑solving, and bringing people together.
When not at work, Ema loves a good book and enjoys attending live music events, exploring galleries, watching movies or going to the theatre. She can often be found taking long (ish) walks with her two lurchers, and occasionally indulging in her love of tap dancing...
Clare Kettle
Clare re-joined CW in January 2018 as a part time event manager working alongside alongside industry experts in the Special Interest Group (SIG) champions. Clare manages and delivers events for the following SIG groups; Academic & Industry, Connected & Intelligent Places, Connected Thinking, Content Production and Delivery, HealthTech, Location, Non-Terrestrial Network, Radio Technology and the Heritage SIG.
Lucy Allinson
Lucy joined CW in 2023 and looks after the planning and delivery of our events—from major conferences and exhibitions to smaller Byte Size events. She’s worked in events for over six years, with experience across universities, the tech sector, and government-backed projects.
She enjoys the buzz of a busy event day, getting stuck into the details, and bringing people together to share ideas and make connections.
Outside of work, Lucy loves live music, getting creative with DIY projects, and hunting down the best coffee spots in Cambridge.