By: Laura Phillips
Traci Biswese is one of the FCBA Foundation Trustees and is Vice President and Associate General Counsel at NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. She focuses on wireless spectrum policy, cybersecurity, supply chain, AI, and emerging tech matters. She plays a key role in engaging with federal regulators and shaping the association’s legal and policy positions across the range of critical future focused issues that will affect NCTA’s members. Traci brings over 14 years of experience from private practice and global tech companies, where she has a track record of leadership on complex regulatory and infrastructure initiatives across terrestrial, submarine cable, and wireless systems. I was delighted that Traci and I could meet up to discuss some of her career highlights.
Q. What attracted you to the field of communications?
A. I always wanted to do something that would make a positive difference and I’ve always been fascinated by how technology shapes society. Before being an undergraduate I thought I might do something with sports medicine or perhaps become a teacher, but over time was drawn towards law and business, leading me to a joint JD/MBA program. As a law student, I had the honor of serving on the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law and quickly became intrigued by the uniquely dynamic way the field of communications intersects across law, policy, economics, and innovation. The combination of rapid technological advancement and the opportunity to engage with complex regulatory issues drew me in. It continues to challenge and excite me today.
Q. Tell us about the various places you’ve worked through the years.
A. After graduating from law school, I began my career as a law clerk for Judge Curtis Gómez in the U.S. District Court for the Virgin Islands, who recently retired from the federal bench. Those were two wonderful years where I learned so much from a remarkably hardworking jurist. Following my clerkship, I joined what was then Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis (HWG), where I represented telecom and tech companies in regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters. From there, I did what a number of younger lawyers do, I moved in-house to RingCentral, a client of the firm whose chief regulatory officer was a former firm colleague. I later moved to Meta, supporting their connectivity deployments across the globe, including undersea cables, terrestrial fiber builds, satellite innovations, as well as novel spectrum arrangements. Now at NCTA, I work across a wide range of legal and policy issues impacting the broadband and media industries.
Q. Have things unfolded in your career more or less the way you planned?
A. Not exactly, but things have unfolded in the best possible way. I didn’t have a detailed map, but I knew I wanted to do work that was both intellectually engaging and impactful. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to work with inspiring mentors and colleagues, and to be presented with opportunities – some of which were unexpected – that pushed me in new directions. I’ve learned to embrace pivots and to trust the process.
Q. What’s the most interesting or challenging thing that you’ve done in your current position?
A. Helping to shape the industry’s emerging tech policy, beginning with AI, has been incredibly rewarding. We are at an inflection point for how we think about AI, balancing innovation, safety, and other public interest goals. Navigating those tensions, especially in an evolving regulatory environment, requires strategic agility, rapid learning, cross-team engagement, and deep subject-matter expertise.
Q. Is or was there something interesting or someone who surprised or impressed you during your career and why?
A. I continue to be impressed by women leaders in our field who lead with strength and grace. Seeing women show up fully as lawyers, policy experts, caregivers, and community builders has inspired me throughout my career. Their example in different times and places in my career and life journey helped me understand that there is no single “right way” to lead or succeed. The one constant I would note, however, is that each woman leader that served as a role model was both committed to excellence, and authentic as an individual.
Q. What do you enjoy reading?
A. I love works of all sorts that explore identity and relationships. Authors like Toni Morrison, Isabel Wilkerson, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Abraham Verghese are some of my favorites. I also enjoy memoirs and personal essays. Most recently, I’ve been reading more lower- and middle-grade school fiction with my daughters, which has been a joy.
Q. Is there something (a hobby or other tidbit) people don’t know about you that you are willing to share?
A. I trained as a flautist growing up, and though I’ve forgotten more than I ever knew about actually playing the flute, music remains an important part of my life. These days, I no longer play, but I still find comfort and inspiration in it, especially when listening as my daughters learn to play classical piano and, more painfully, drums.
Q. Can you share your perspective on the pitfalls to avoid or other career advice for those who are just getting started in the communications field?
A. Don’t underestimate the importance of relationships. This field is built on community. Stay curious, be humble, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you hit a dead end in your work or research and look for honest feedback from people whose opinion you value. And don’t wait for the perfect job opportunity. Sometimes what looks like a detour leads to the opportunity that challenges and excites you in exactly the ways you need at that point in your career.
Q. How has your life changed as a result of COVID-19 and what are you looking forward to doing next?
A. Like many parents and professionals, COVID-19 forced me to recalibrate and re-prioritize. It deepened my appreciation for flexibility in juggling home and work life, the critical nature of connection – however it was accomplished – and the need for all of us to cultivate resilience and encourage access to mental health knowledge and resources. On the professional side, it also expanded how I think about continuous learning, stretching myself, advocacy, and engagement.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep growing in various forms of leadership and to continue mentoring others as they navigate their own paths. I’m also eager to deepen my understanding of emerging technologies that are reshaping our field, including AI, next-generation connectivity, quantum networking, space and satellite communications, and trusted supply chain innovations. Staying curious and informed strengthens my ability to lead, advise, and collaborate on the issues shaping the future of connectivity and innovation.
Q. How long have you been an FCBA member, and what to you is the value of FCBA membership?
A. I’ve been an FCBA member for over a decade. It has been a tremendous source of community and professional growth for me as I know it has been for others. The opportunity to serve on the FCBA Foundation, attend a wide range of FCBA sponsored events, and connect with peers and mentors across government, industry, and law firms has enriched my career in countless ways. It has also been a place where I’ve built great friendships.