Leading the Charge for Amdocs’ Tech Transformation
By E.B. Moss
True trailblazers don’t just forge new paths— they run ahead, alerting others to obstacles and opportunities on the horizon. For Iris Harel, Amdocs Regional VP, Customer Busi ness Executive, blazing trails is more than just a metaphor.
“Three or four years ago, Iris was running through our halls, telling everyone ‘the fiber and satellite business is coming, and this is how it’s coming!’” recalls Pablo Cella, Amdocs General Manager and Division President. “And today, thanks to her foresight, we have solutions catering to that business.”
Harel’s determination is evident: “Everyone would look at me as if I were from the moon, but I’ll keep on doing it because if we don’t do this visionary work, we would cease to exist. Stagnation is the worst thing ever.”
Cella says Harel has paved the way for other invaluable major transformations at Amdocs, thanks to both her ability to anticipate industry shifts matched with an executive mindset for implementation. So, whenever Iris runs through the corridors—most recently advising about the coming convergence of fiber with utilities, or fiber moving beyond broadband— Amdocs listens.
“Her vision and operational excellence certainly defines a trailblazer,” Cella praises, “and she leads with empathy, but when she starts,” he jokes, “she goes and goes—like a mechanical bull.” Harel doesn’t disagree. “I truly would run through walls to achieve what I believe is correct, especially for my customers,” she says. “Listening to customers, understanding what they really need, helping fix their problem and giving them peace of mind, is what it’s all about.”
She believes the key to foretelling tech futures requires a dedication to listening, reading and learning, not only in her professional life, but also outside of the office. Harel is trying to instill the same curiosity she has into her children, challenging them to push themselves continually to learn more and understand new concepts. “Even try things that you don’t feel comfortable with, because this will help you,” she says.
Amdocs has gone through its own uncomfortable transformations throughout the years, and Cella recalls one as the shift away from trying to sell solutions for problems they thought needed fixing. There was a realization that more communication needed to happen with its customers’ customers and their employees to understand their needs.
That mindset shift wasn’t easy, he acknowledges, “but Iris led by example from day one with her laser focus on a customer-centric approach, which translates perfectly into our mission to ‘Make it Amazing.’” Her diligence has been crucial to several key initiatives, including Amdocs’ satellite communications program and facilitating the integration of SuddenLink and Cablevision into Altice USA.
While Harel says she has never person ally perceived any barriers at the 30,000-employee company, which is steeped in diversity and inclusion initiatives, Harel aims to make her leadership style “amazing” as well, particularly as one of the tech industry’s too-few female executives.
“As leaders, our job is to train the next generation,” Harel emphasizes. “There’s no difference between men and women in this regard. You have to earn respect, not just from your team, but from your family too. It’s work, and you need to invest in it. The best way is by example—it speaks louder than any words.” While she is a woman of action, Harel loves quotes, citing one by the author George Eliot: ‘Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.’”
Cella emphasizes the positive in Harel’s approach: “In driving major projects, you have to be decisive – it’s not a popularity contest. But Iris compensates that professional intensity with deep empathy. She’s a great person and even a great cook! We can have a very difficult meeting, and then she’ll send you pictures of the amazing cakes she’s made.”
Coincidentally, another of Harel’s favorite quotes is from the 2022 best seller, “Lessons in Chemistry” about a scientist turned chef: “Courage is the root of change, and change is what we’re chemically designed to do.”