Elevating Service Providers with Network Intelligence: A Conversation with Jezzibell Gilmore
Today we’re welcoming Jezzibell Gilmore, a newly appointed General Manager for Service Providers at Kentik. Jezzibell is a dynamic leader who brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles at Connectbase and PacketFabric. In her current role, she will focus on showcasing the transformative benefits of Kentik’s AI-driven network observability platform for service providers globally.
In this interview, we explore the challenges facing service providers, the power of AI-driven network observability, and how platforms like Kentik play a critical role in overcoming these obstacles.
Watch the full interview here.
Jezzibell Gilmore
GM for Service Providers at Kentik
Jezzibell, congratulations on your new role as GM for Service Providers at Kentik! What is your top priority, and how has your career shaped your approach to supporting service providers?
Thanks, Dana! My role is to elevate the visibility and demand for the service provider business and bring valuable insights from that space into Kentik so we can create better solutions for service providers. Kentik has been close to my heart for the last ten years, even before it became Kentik, back when it was CloudHelix. I’ve been following its journey and seeing Kentik evolve into the premier NetFlow solution for service providers.
Even though I was busy with my own venture—PacketFabric, a network-as-a-service provider—I was always a supporter of Kentik. Now, as part of Kentik, I’m excited to bring network intelligence to service providers, helping them elevate and optimize their business. Telecommunications is foundational to global digital commerce and the economy, so being a part of this mission is incredibly rewarding.
Could you elaborate on service providers’ specific challenges and how Kentik’s observability platform helps address them?
Service providers are the backbone of the digital success of companies like Facebook, Zoom, and many others that rely on the internet. However, while their customers grow in valuation and revenue, service providers are being squeezed—their services have become almost utility-like, meaning they’re essential but often underappreciated.
One of the challenges is that while the amount of data they transport is growing exponentially, their revenue growth is relatively stagnant. To succeed, they need to optimize operations, understand how customers utilize their services and anticipate competitive moves. Kentik provides the insight they need—inside and outside their network—using our SaaS and on-prem solutions.
I know Kentik leverages AI to support network observability. Can you explain how AI enhances the platform and helps service providers navigate these challenges?
Kentik has heavily invested in AI to take network observability to the next level. Traditionally, service providers have had access to data, but it required an expert-level understanding to interpret it and understand network performance. Now, with AI, we can offer actionable insights that don’t require deep network expertise. You can ask the platform specific questions, and it will compile and analyze all the data, delivering a clear, concise response. This reduces the complexity of managing networks and allows engineers to focus on higher-level tasks, improving time to repair and overall efficiency.
As someone with vast experience in go-to-market strategies and partnerships, how do you envision Kentik driving growth for service providers globally?
Kentik is a strong name in network observability in North America, where many service providers are already leveraging it to optimize their operations. Now, I see tremendous opportunities in regions like APAC, EMEA, and Latin America. Service providers in these regions can also benefit from our modern network observability platform to better support their customers and enhance their operations. On top of that, we’ve seen rapid adoption from enterprise customers who are using Kentik to manage their networks.
What, in your opinion, has held service providers back from progressing or innovating as quickly as enterprises?
There are many factors. Some successful enterprises are newer to the market and don’t have legacy technology or massive infrastructure burdens like most telcos. Service providers often have significant debt from building out their networks, which restricts their ability to innovate quickly. They also lack visibility into how their services are consumed and where they fit into the global internet ecosystem. They need better intelligence about their operations, customers, and competitive landscape to succeed. Tools like Kentik can support this growth by providing the data needed to make informed decisions.
I’d love to talk about your personal journey. As a successful woman in tech, leading both operational and strategic initiatives, what advice would you offer to women looking to build their careers in technology?
One key lesson is that no one achieves success alone. I’ve always had amazing teams supporting me, and in turn, I’ve supported them. We work in a community, and both giving and receiving support are critical. You never know what you’ll learn through giving back. I would encourage young women to seek mentorship, support their peers, and embrace learning from every opportunity.
Also, don’t let anyone discourage you. If you have a passion, pursue it. I’ve seen so many people doubt themselves or be told that something is too hard. But success comes from laying out a path and taking it one step at a time. Be open to change, but keep moving toward your goal.
Lastly, how can our audience contact you for mentorship or collaboration?
I’m always open to collaboration and mentorship. Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected]. And of course, if you’re looking to elevate your service provider business, Kentik is here to help you be more successful!