Telco APIs and Open Gateway in North America

As telecom operators evolve into technology-driven companies (Techcos), the role of Telco and Network APIs is becoming increasingly critical. This session will explore how Open Gateway initiatives and API-driven monetization strategies are reshaping the mobile ecosystem.

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Mark Harvey, CEO – SEKURA.id
• Mijo Soldin, Vice President Telecom Strategy and Partnerships – Infobip
• Eddie deCurtis, CEO & Co-Founder – Shush
• Mattias Berglund, VP Sales Americas & Asia , TMT ID
• Colin Brown, VP Products – Vonage

The New Messaging Duopoly: RCS & WHATS APP

RCS (Rich Communication Services) has been heralded as the future of business messaging, but its adoption in North America has been slow and complex. Drawing from Sinch’s extensive commercial, operational, and technical efforts in the RCS space, this session will dissect what’s working, what’s not, and what’s needed to drive mass adoption.

• Paul Ruppert, Advisor – MEF
• Lodema Steinbach, VP, Commercial Messaging Product & Carrier Relations – Sinch

Don’t Throw in the Towel – A technical overview of RCS and RBM and how we maintain security and trust

In this technology-oriented presentation, Mike Reading will explore the critical aspects RCS and RBM and outline some of the emerging challenges that have and will arise with growth in these exciting messaging channels.

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Mike Reading, Sr. Director of Technical Services, Cloudmark Division – Proofpoint

Securing Now and Tomorrow: Tackling Evolving Messaging Threats

As RCS adoption accelerates in N America, security concerns are growing. With smishing, spam, and fraud evolving in sophistication, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Communication Service Providers (CSPs), and enterprises must collaborate to build a scalable, proactive security framework.

• Paul Ruppert, Advisor – MEF
• Jonathan Vimont, North America Compliance Director – Sinch
• Inderpal Mumick, CEO – Dotgo
• Brad Cooper, Head, Threat Intelligence, N. America. – Enea
• Marcelo Frizzo, Head Operations Partnerships – Infobip

The $1.03 Trillion Problem – Today’s Sophisticated Fraud Environment

In a diverse presentation, Catalin Badea, VP of Product Management at netnumber, unveils key strategies for combating phone number fraud – including a focus on recently launched innovations and long-time industry staples – that strategically make a difference in circumventing malicious activities.

• Matt Ekram, Advisor – MEF
• Catalin Badea, VP of Product Management – netnumber

CX & CPaaS: The Power Duo in Digital Engagement

CCaaS and CPaaS have emerged as transformative forces in customer engagement, but their true potential is unlocked when they work in tandem. This session will explore how aligning these two segments not only expands their respective markets but also enables enterprises to engage consumers more effectively through omnichannel communication.

• Paul Ruppert, Advisor MEF
• Frank McArthur, VP, Sales – Alvaria
• Caitlin Long, Sr. Director, Product Management & Strategy – Bandwidth
• Ramy Riad, Director Innovation & Messaging Strategy – Cisco
• Jessica Kouliev, Regional Channel Director – ZOOM

Fireside Chat: Empowering Enterprises in the Fight Against AIT

As enterprises increasingly communicate with customers via SMS, they are becoming more aware of AIT (Artificially Inflated Traffic) and its impact on their operations. But are they truly taking control of the fight against fraud? In this session, we’ll explore how enterprises are moving beyond relying solely on network protection and are actively using tools within their CPaaS platforms to identify and block fraudulent numbers.

• Fenton Bard, VP Global Sales – XConnect
• Sri Ramachandran – CTO, Somos

Post Politics Messaging–Opportunities beyond Campaigning

The numbers are staggering. 25 billion poltical SMS were sent in the 2024 cycle, fueling a $2.5 billion market for Political Messaging Service Providers (PMSPs). For CPaaS and enterprise wholesalers, this translated into a $250 million revenue stream. With the election now over, where does the industry go next?

• Paul Ruppert, Advisor – MEF
• Travis Trawick, CEO – RoboCent

Surfing Compliance Waves: Your Ultimate Checklist

The FCC’s commpliance and policy pivots are the most recent changes in casting light on the shifting forces on SMS marketing and compliance. As brands and service providers face heightened scrutiny, compliance with these possible new regulations are ever more critical. In this panel, experts from Vonage, EZTexting, and Atval will share insights on how the ruling will reshape the industry, its challenges, and what practical steps enterprises and CPaaS providers—regardless of size–need to take to stay ahead of the curve.

• Glenn Richards, Partner – Dickinson Wright
• Brien Jones-Lantzy, Head of Compliance, Fraud and Security – Vonage
• Sarah Giraldi, Dir., Compliance & Messaging Operations – EZ Texting
• Khaled Bitar, CEO – Avtal

Branded Calling : Status and Whats Next

The panel will provide critical insights into Branding Calling : Current market adoption and trends, How enterprises are benefiting from branded calls and What’s next for the industry and how businesses can prepare

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Henry Hayter, Head of Product – Call Authentication –  TransUnion
• Matt Rateliff, Vice President of Business Development & Strategic Initiatives –  First Orion
• Jim Tyrell, Vice President – Global Product Strategy –  Transaction Network Services

Unlocking the Power of 10DLC for SMB

Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) are the engine of economic growth in N America but face increasing challenges in accessing advanced communication tools tailored to their needs. This session will present key findings from the newly established SMB Working Group, which has identified major obstacles and opportunities for SMBs in leveraging B2B2C platforms.

•  Trevor MacDonald, Senior Director – 10DLC – Syniverse
• Sarah Giraldi, Dir., Compliance & Messaging Operations – EZ Texting
• Brad Hermann, CEO, Text-Em-All
• Alison Teegarden, Co-Founder , TeamSense
• Stefan Heller, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships – The Campaign Registry

Trust, Identity, and Optimization: Navigating the Future of Enterprise Communications

This panel brings together industry leaders to explore the evolving ecosystem of enterprise communications. The discussion will address critical issues around corporate identity verification, messaging deliverability, and regulatory compliance while offering insights into innovative solutions that enhance customer engagement.

• Matt Ekram, Advisor – MEF
• Mary Clark, CEO – Numeracle
• Martin Lien, CEO and Co-Founder – Volt
• Luisa Sanchez, VP of Global Sales and Marketing – Identidad Telecom
• John Bruner, CEO – Aegis Mobile

Reflections on the Day:  Thoughts, Plans, Actions

To close the MEF North America Leadership Forum, two of the industry’s most influential voices—Mary Clark, COO of Numeracle, and Jack Philbin, CEO of Vibes—will sit down with MEF CEO, Dario Betti, for a candid conversation about the state of business messaging, trust, regulation, and innovation intersecting, and what comes next for brands, platforms, and consumers alike.

• Dario Betti, CEO – MEF
• Jack Philbin, CEO – Vibes
• Mary Clark, COO – Numeracle