How Conor McGowan Smyth is Revolutionizing the Telecommunications Industry?
“In business, those who embrace change and build real connections—with customers and teams alike—aren’t just adapting; they’re leading. When you prioritize people and evolve with the times, financial success becomes a natural byproduct.” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava Solutions.
A visionary leader who thrives on transformation, McGowan Smyth is redefining the telecommunications landscape through innovation, adaptability, and relentless dedication.
Maintaining a Growth Mindset in a rapidly changing and challenging industry.
Conor McGowan Smyth, a seasoned CEO, honed his craft at telecom giants Vodafone and Digicel by embracing change and leading sales organizations through significant transformations and revenue growth. At Vodafone, Conor navigated the complexities of a rapidly evolving industry, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability. His tenure at Digicel further solidified his reputation as a dynamic leader, where he spearheaded initiatives that drove substantial revenue increases. Conor’s exceptional ability to connect with people and inspire his teams has been instrumental in accelerating growth and achieving real P&L improvements. His leadership style, characterized by empathy and strategic vision, has consistently resulted in high-performing teams and sustainable business success.
In 2018, Conor joined ATNi, known for its investments and operations in several Caribbean and South American countries, with a large US presence focused on improving connectivity and expanding telecommunications infrastructure in underserved or developing markets.
Starting in a small ATNi subsidiary, Fireminds, Conor proved himself as a dynamic CEO who transformed a small company into a powerhouse through strategic partnerships and mergers, becoming a major force in the B2B Telco space, ICT solutions, and Cyber Security arena. Conor’s leadership is a textbook case of how a CEO can take a relatively small company and grow it into an industry leader through merging, leading, and acquiring multiple entities. “Working closely with Damian Blackburn, President of ATN International, and Brad Martin, ATN Group CEO, has been enormously helpful. Their leadership and insights have been invaluable in driving Brava’s success and aligning our vision with the broader goals of ATN,” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava.
Conor is considered one of the most successful and influential B2B leaders in the region. The latest evolution of his vision In 2024, Brava, a B2B technology company that is revolutionizing how customers consume B2B telecoms and cybersecurity services. Brava simplifies customer solutions by actively listening to both customers and staff, a leadership style that Conor has championed. Headquartered in Miami, Brava is rapidly expanding its footprint. Initially starting in the Caribbean, the company is now active in Latin America and Central America, with plans to launch in the USA in 2025. Conor’s approach to leadership, which emphasizes empathy and open communication, has been pivotal in driving Brava’s growth and success. Brava has rapidly expanded to hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and over 200 employees supporting operations in a dozen countries across the region. Conor leads by example, living Brava’s values (Simplicity, Protection, Efficiency, Experience, and Dedication), making bold moves, and communicating with clarity and passion, ensuring that everyone—no matter their role—feels connected to and driven by a unified, inspiring vision. With his deep expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and steadfast belief in open communication, Conor is connecting teams, partners, and markets to drive Brava’s continued success.
Embracing Technology to bridge the Digital divide.
Conor McGowan Smyth is leading a dynamic strategy at Brava by leveraging AI and modern, affordable tools to transform both the customers and the markets in which Brava operates. Conor’s ability to trust key technology leaders and propel change is evident in his willingness to take risks and back his people to learn fast and work hard. By fostering an environment where innovation thrives, Conor ensures that Brava remains at the forefront of technological advancements, driving significant improvements in customer solutions and market reach. His leadership style, characterized by a strong belief in his team’s capabilities and a commitment to continuous learning, has been instrumental in Brava’s rapid expansion and success.
“Selecting AI tools in our markets requires a balance between productivity and cybersecurity. It’s essential to choose adaptable, locally compliant, secure, and cost- effective solutions to drive growth while mitigating risks,” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava. Brava’s alliance with some of the industry’s titans is unparalleled, forged by an uncompromising commitment to seamless integration with its clients’ operations. However, the true essence of Brava’s success resides in its inherent malleability, a capacity to adapt its structure and services to the distinct needs of each customer, ensuring a harmonious symbiosis that transcends mere commercial transactions. “At Brava, we are committed to changing the status quo by prioritizing our customers’ needs over big tech guidelines. Our focus is on delivering solutions that truly benefit our clients, ensuring their success and satisfaction,” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava.
Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO at Brava, completed his MBA in International Business in 2018, which has equipped him with the expertise to apply international technology and standards to smaller markets effectively. By leveraging his advanced knowledge and strategic insights, Conor has been able to tailor global technological solutions to meet the unique needs of these markets. His approach ensures that Brava’s offerings are not only cutting-edge but also practical and adaptable to local conditions. This strategy has enabled Brava to bridge the digital divide and drive significant growth in regions that were previously underserved
Building High-Performing Teams for Growth and Innovation
Conor’s approach to talent acquisition and development focuses on recruiting local talent with expertise and a deep understanding of regional market dynamics. This strategy allows the company to leverage the insights of local professionals, who are well-versed in the Brava markets business community and countries culture. Understanding the markets you operate in is crucial for finding the right talent and aligning that talent with opportunities in the Telco, ICT, and Cyber Security industries. By recruiting local talent with expertise and a deep understanding of regional market dynamics, companies can leverage the insights of professionals who are well-versed in the business community and cultural nuances of the area1. This strategy not only ensures that the company can effectively address local challenges and opportunities but also fosters a sense of connection and commitment among employees.
Aligning talent with market-specific opportunities allows for more targeted and impactful solutions, driving growth and innovation in these rapidly evolving industries.
Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO at Brava, emphasizes the importance of understanding the markets in which the company operates to find the best talent and align that talent with opportunities in the Telco, ICT, and Cyber Security industries. By recruiting local talent with expertise and a deep understanding of regional market dynamics, Conor ensures that Brava leverages the insights of professionals who are well-versed in the business community and cultural nuances of the area. This strategy not only allows Brava to effectively address local challenges and opportunities but also fosters a sense of connection and commitment among employees. Under Conor’s leadership, aligning talent with market-specific opportunities has led to more targeted and impactful solutions, driving growth and innovation in these rapidly evolving industries. “The great Manchester United Coach, Matt Busby, once said, if you want the best fruit, grow your own” says McGowan Smyth. “We always look to promote our own talent first and we actively work with multiple universities and colleges to ensure we are creating a pathway for the best talent to garner opportunities at speed”.
Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava, is also a certified executive coach and the owner of Galoras, a Miami-based tech platform. Galoras utilizes AI to create an exchange for professional, executive, and sports coaches to connect, network, and build a community. This innovative platform leverages advanced technology to facilitate meaningful interactions and collaborations among coaches, enhancing their ability to share knowledge and grow their expertise. Conor’s dual roles as a CEO and executive coach underscore his commitment to fostering leadership and community in both the business and coaching worlds1.
The Sport of Business
Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO at Brava, has leveraged his experience from high-performing sports teams to drive success in the business world. Having played rugby at an international level with Bermuda and being connected to multiple elite sporting organizations globally, Conor understands the importance of teamwork, discipline, and strategic thinking. These qualities have been instrumental in his leadership at Brava, where he fosters a culture of excellence and resilience. By applying the principles of high-performance sports, Conor has built a dynamic and motivated team at Brava, driving innovation and growth in the Telco, ICT, and Cyber Security industries.
“Sports and business growth initiatives share many parallels. Just as athletes rely on teamwork, discipline, and strategic planning to achieve victory, businesses depend on collaboration, meticulous preparation, and adaptability to drive success. By mirroring the dedication and resilience found in sports, we can foster a culture of excellence and significant growth in the business world,” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava.
Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava, has ensured that the company’s vision is consistently tested and challenged by staff. By fostering a culture of open communication and active listening, Conor encourages employees at all levels to voice their ideas and concerns. This approach not only promotes innovation but also ensures that the company’s strategies remain relevant and effective in a rapidly changing industry. Conor’s leadership style, which emphasizes empathy and collaboration, has been instrumental in creating an environment where staff feel empowered to contribute to the company’s vision and direction. “At Brava, our mission framework is designed to ensure that all staff have the opportunity to challenge the status quo and be actively involved in strategic decisions. This approach fosters innovation and empowers our team to drive the company’s success,” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava.
Leading the Charge in the Telco transformation to Techco
Brava’s Cloud and Stronghold (Cyber Security) divisions are revolutionizing how customers consume cloud and cybersecurity services by providing innovative solutions that help manage spending and priorities while mitigating risks and ensuring staff productivity. By leveraging cutting- edge technology and a customer-centric approach, these divisions offer tailored services that address the unique needs of each client. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also provides robust security measures to protect sensitive data. Brava’s commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that customers can confidently navigate the complexities of the digital landscape, achieving their business goals with greater ease and security.
The Brava Club: The Brava Club offers Brava customers more than just volume discounts on services. It provides a unique platform for customers to connect with industry experts and fellow peers. This exclusive club fosters a community where members can share insights, discuss trends, and collaborate on innovative solutions, enhancing their overall experience and value from Brava’s offerings.
The Brava Way: The Brava Way ensures that all services are ready, staffed, slick, and relevant before launch. Brava achieves this by securing the best technical talent available and forming revolutionary partnerships with big tech companies, which have not been seen before in the markets they operate in. This approach guarantees that Brava’s offerings are cutting-edge and tailored to meet the unique needs of their customers, driving significant growth and innovation.
Working with Amilkar, our COO, is a constant push and pull on how we can scale, break boundaries, and still deliver on our customer promise. This dynamic ensures that we are always challenging ourselves to innovate while staying true to our commitment to our customers, this has led to the Brava Club and the Brava Way, which we are so excited for our customers to experience” says Conor McGowan Smyth, CEO of Brava
Brava, More to come!
As Conor McGowan Smyth continues to lead Brava with vision and innovation, it is clear that this is just the beginning for both him and the company. The business community should expect to see much more from Brava in the next 18 months, as they expand their footprint and introduce groundbreaking solutions in the B2B telecoms and cybersecurity services market. With Conor’s dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence, Brava is poised to drive significant growth and transformation, setting new standards in the industry and delivering unparalleled value to their customers.
