The New Rules of Telecom Leadership: Trust, Inclusion & Impact

As telecom evolves beyond connectivity, the industry’s leaders are being challenged to balance innovation with sustainability, security, and inclusion.

To understand the telecom industry’s evolution team GWL speaks to Indonesian technology leader Yessie D. Yosetya. Bringing two decades of experience in technology and telecommunications, she is recognized for driving enterprise transformations, digital innovation, ESG initiatives, and championing women’s leadership and STEM education at national and global platforms.

In a candid conversation, Yessie shares her views on balancing innovation with sustainability in telecom, driving circular economy practices and advancing cybersecurity. Drawing from her experience of navigating through tech-heavy industries, she shares practical advice to empowering women in tech. Yessie makes a strong case for purpose-led leadership’s power to create inclusive, resilient, and future-ready digital ecosystems.

For Yessie’s expert insights on innovation, sustainability, cybersecurity, and inclusion in the telecom industry, read the following interview.

Having led complex IT strategies in the telecom industry, how do you balance rapid technological innovation with social responsibility in the dynamic telecom landscape?

At XLSMART, our vision, Connect Indonesia for a Better Life, reflects our belief that in telecom, innovation must move fast while staying grounded in responsibility. We integrate sustainability directly into how we build and operate our network. Following the 2025 merger, we embedded ESG as a core foundation of our strategy, and this was independently validated when XLSMART achieved a Sustainable Fitch ESG Entity Rating of 2 (score 67)—one of the highest scores globally on its 1–5 scale, and currently the only Indonesian telecom operator to receive this rating.

Our focus includes improving energy efficiency across network infrastructure, transparently reporting Scope 1–3 emissions, and expanding connectivity to underserved communities to drive digital inclusion. This commitment is also reflected through our social initiatives, such as Gerakan Donasi Kuota, which helps open access to the internet for schools and pesantren, enabling students and educators to benefit from digital learning opportunities.

Beyond infrastructure, we invest in digital empowerment programs such as Sisternet, equipping communities with skills for the digital economy. By aligning technological progress with ESG principles, we ensure innovation strengthens both Indonesia’s connectivity and its long-term sustainability.

As a woman leader at the forefront of digital policy with a focus on sustainability, what challenges do you face when pushing for a circular economy model in the telecom sector?

Driving a circular economy model in the telecom sector presents both structural and cultural challenges. Telecommunications infrastructure is complex and capital-intensive, with long-lifecycle equipment and global supply chains involving partners with different levels of sustainability maturity. Within our IT Division, we are also advancing the use of green energy-powered cloud infrastructure while strengthening responsible e-waste management practices to support this transition.

Transitioning from a traditional linear model to circular practices—such as reuse, refurbishment, and responsibility for e-waste management—requires strong collaboration across the ecosystem. As a woman leader advocating for this shift, there are moments when sustainability must be continually reinforced as a strategic priority rather than a compliance exercise.

That is why we focus on demonstrating tangible values.

By embedding circular thinking into technology planning, vendor engagement, and asset lifecycle management, we show that sustainability can reduce risks, improve efficiency, and strengthen long-term resilience for the industry.

At the same time, through initiatives like Sisternet, we continue to empower women to participate in and benefit from the digital economy, ensuring that technological progress is inclusive and impactful.

When navigating the hurdles of implementing circular economy models, was there a bold or unexpected decision you made that reshaped your approach and created lasting impact?

When implementing circular economy principles, one of the most important shifts we made was changing the internal mindset around sustainability. Instead of positioning it purely as a reporting or compliance requirement, we reframed from it as a driver of operational efficiency and innovation. This meant integrating circular thinking directly into technology planning, infrastructure management, and vendor collaboration.

For example, we began focusing more intentionally on extending the lifecycle of network equipment, improving asset utilization, and strengthening responsible e-waste management across our operations. This required aligning multiple teams across technology, procurement, and sustainability functions.

At the same time, we recognize that sustainability must also create social impact. Through Sisternet, we provide a solution for Indonesian women by equipping them with digital skills, access, and opportunities to actively participate in the digital economy. This ensures that our transformation is not only environmentally responsible but also inclusive and empowering.

The impact has been significant, as circular practices are no longer treated as separate initiatives but as part of everyday decision-making that strengthens both environmental responsibility and long-term business resilience.

With your experience moderating national cybersecurity forums and leading CIO communities, what key changes do you foresee in the way organizations approach cybersecurity over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, cybersecurity will become even more deeply embedded in the core strategy of organizations rather than functioning as a standalone technical discipline. As digital ecosystems expand through cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and connected infrastructure, cybersecurity must evolve into a proactive, intelligence-driven capability.

The rapid adoption of technologies, including AI, also requires robust alignment among CIOs to ensure that implementation is guided by strong governance, ethical standards, and responsible use of data.

Organizations will increasingly adopt zero-trust architectures, strengthen real-time threat detection, and invest in cyber resilience rather than simply prevention. Another important shift will be the growing role of collaboration between industries, governments, and technology communities to address increasingly sophisticated threats. Cybersecurity will also become more closely linked to digital trust, requiring organizations to protect not only systems and data, but also the confidence of customers and society.

You’ve been a strong advocate for empowering women in tech. How do you think organizations can better support women to thrive in leadership roles within tech-heavy industries like telecom?

Supporting women in technology leadership requires more than representation; it requires building an ecosystem that actively enables growth.

Organizations can start by ensuring equal access to leadership development, mentorship opportunities, and high-impact projects that build strategic experience. It is also important to cultivate inclusive workplace cultures where diverse perspectives are valued and where women feel confident contributing ideas and leading change.

At the global level, initiatives such as the G20 EMPOWER Best Practices Playbook highlight proven programs from private sector leaders across G20 countries, showcasing actionable strategies to advance women’s leadership and participation in the workforce. In my role as Chair of G20 EMPOWER Indonesia, I have seen how cross-sector collaboration can accelerate opportunities for women in leadership.

At XLSMART, initiatives such as Sisternet also play an important role in empowering women through digital literacy, skills development, and community support, helping more women build confidence and pursue careers in technology and digital industries.

Through the Sisternet application and a series of both offline and online educational programs, these initiatives have reached more than 1.3 million beneficiaries across 21 cities in Indonesia, supported by 41 strategic partners, including the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kementerian PPPA RI) and the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi). This cross-sector collaboration is key to expanding access to digital literacy, skills development, and economic opportunities for women, while fostering a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem.

5 Key Takeaways on Empowering Women in Tech Leadership

1. Representation Alone Is Not Enough: Advancing women in technology requires a supportive ecosystem.

2. Access Creates Opportunity: Equal access essential for building the experience needed for senior leadership roles.

3. Inclusive Cultures Drive Success: Organizations must foster environments where women feel empowered to contribute ideas, influence decisions, and lead change.

4. Collaboration Accelerates Impact: Cross-sector partnerships can significantly expand opportunities for women and scale best practices across industries.

5. Digital Skills are a Powerful Enabler: Programs focused on digital literacy, skills development, and community support help women build confidence. 

LAST WORD: For women aspiring to lead in tech, what advice you would like to share on overcoming challenges and maintaining purpose-led leadership in such a fast-evolving field?

For women aspiring to lead in technology, one of the most important principles is to stay grounded in purpose while continuously embracing learning. The technology landscape evolves rapidly, so maintaining curiosity and adaptability is essential. Challenges will inevitably arise, whether related to complex projects, industry transformation, or leadership responsibilities, but resilience and confidence in your values will guide you forward.

Building strong networks, seeking mentorship, and supporting other women in the field can also create powerful momentum. Leadership in technology today is not only about technical expertise; it is about vision, empathy, and the ability to connect innovation with real societal impact. Staying purpose-driven helps ensure that progress benefits both organizations and communities.

The next chapter of telecom is not just about connecting devices—it is about connecting progress with purpose. As this conversation highlights, lasting leadership lies in ensuring that innovation drives meaningful and inclusive change.