Some people make technology work. Cameron Washington makes it make sense.
As a senior IT program manager focused on internal communications and change management, Cameron sits at the intersection of IT strategy and human behavior; a space that requires equal parts technical fluency and people-first thinking. Her work spans the breadth of Zayo’s Enterprise Technology Partners (ETP) organization, touching everything from security initiatives and data programs to operations, engineering, and rack office teams.
But what sets Cameron apart isn’t just what she does. It’s how she approaches it.
Cameron’s Path to Zayo
Cameron’s path to Zayo started with a degree in communication and a clear sense of direction. Toward the end of her undergraduate studies, she shifted her focus towards organizational communications and business administration, a pivot that would shape her career.
Her first professional role was an internship at T-Mobile, where she supported the communications team within their product and technology organization. That experience placed her at the center of a tech-driven environment, even though her background was firmly in communications. “I’ve never been a developer or a coder,” Cameron explains, “but sitting in a non-technical role in a technical org, you learn so much about the business.”
Her connection to Zayo came through the network she had built at T-Mobile. Zayo’s CIO, Bryan Fleming, is among a group of T-Mobile alumni now at the company. When Cameron was ready to make a move, specifically looking for a more remote, flexible position, she heard through her network that Fleming was searching for someone grounded in communications and change management. She put her name in the ring, made the connection, and joined Zayo in December 2022.
She hasn’t looked back since.
What Does a Senior IT Program Manager of Internal Comms Actually Do?
Cameron describes her role as “leading strategic communications and change enablement for high-impact IT initiatives across the organization.” That definition might sound straightforward, but the scope is anything but narrow.
Her work touches virtually every corner of the business. When a major IT initiative rolls out, whether it’s a security overhaul, a new data platform, or a shift in operational systems, Cameron’s job is to ensure that people affected by that change understand it, trust it, and feel equipped to adapt to it.
“My part in it is translating those complex initiatives into really clear narratives that are easy for people to understand, especially for those who aren’t in an IT role,” she says.
That translation work is harder than it sounds. It requires Cameron to deeply understand both the technical details of what’s changing and human dynamics of how people respond to change. She has to know enough about the technology to represent it accurately, and enough about her audience to communicate it in a way that resonates.
The result? Change that sticks.
Why Communication Is More Than Just Sharing Information
One of the clearest threads running through Cameron’s philosophy is her belief that communication is fundamentally relational, not transactional.
“It’s more than just sharing out information,” she says. “It’s about listening and creating that clarity and helping people really see themselves in the change.”
This perspective shapes how she advises leaders looking to become more effective communicators during periods of transition. Her advice is direct: make communication a conversation, not a one-off announcement.
“The best insights come from listening to the people who are close to the work and actually experiencing the change,” Cameron explains. “When leaders don’t have that perspective, a disconnect can happen. Transparency and trust are built through ongoing conversations, not through a single broadcast.”
That two-way model is more than good communication practice; it’s a foundational change management strategy. When employees feel heard, they’re more likely to engage with new processes and less likely to resist them.
Cameron’s Role in Zayo’s AI Center of Excellence
Beyond her core communications work, Cameron has taken on a program management role within Zayo’s AI Center of Excellence, an initiative focused on helping the organization understand, adopt, and responsibly use artificial intelligence.
Her take on AI is refreshingly grounded. She sees enormous potential, but is clear-eyed about what it takes to unlock it.
“AI can be so transformative, but you have to choose to lean into it and embrace it,” she says. “You can’t view AI as something that is going to take your job. You have to look at it as a toolset: how can it take me to the next level so I can be better at what I already do?”
The philosophy Cameron advocates is one of intentional adoption: take the time to understand the tool, identify how it applies to your specific role, and then use it to build capabilities you didn’t have before. “Make AI work for you,” she says. “Don’t let it be the final answer.”
This mindset directly informs how she approaches AI training sessions at Zayo. Cameron says the moments she finds most rewarding are when she watches something click for a colleague, when someone who was hesitant about a new tool suddenly realizes it makes their job genuinely easier.
“That switch goes on in their brain,” she says. “It’s like, ‘Oh, this makes my job a lot easier. I didn’t know I could do that.’ Helping people move past that hesitation and uncover real, practical ways a tool can benefit them. Not just for the business, but for them individually, that’s what gets me excited.”
The Value That Drives Her: Win Together
When asked which of Zayo’s core values resonates with her most, Cameron doesn’t hesitate: Win Together.
“I really value teamwork. I really value collaboration. And I don’t think my job can be done in isolation; it just wouldn’t work,” she says.
Her role gives her a unique vantage point across the organization. On any given initiative, she’s collaborating with IT leaders, business communicators, trainers, and frontline employees from teams that rarely interact. Each of those conversations brings a different perspective, and Cameron’s job is to connect the dots.
“It’s not really just about checking a box, pushing out a new technology, and calling it quits,” she says. “It’s really about making people feel included and supported throughout the change, and excited about where we are headed next.”
What Cameron Hopes Her Colleagues Take Away
If there’s one message Cameron wants people to carry forward from every change initiative she leads, it’s this: you’re not alone in navigating it.
“Not everyone is an expert in complex technological things. You really have to take the time to meet people where they are,” she says. “My job is to make sure change doesn’t feel too overwhelming. I want people to feel like they have the resources they need—and feel comfortable enough to ask for help when they need it.”
The goal isn’t adaptation, it’s empowerment. Cameron wants Zayo employees to move beyond simply tolerating change and toward genuinely embracing new ways of working.
That’s a high bar. But if her track record at Zayo is any indication, it’s one she’s well-equipped to meet.