Broadband Breakfast on October 15, 2025 - Libraries, Schools, and Telehealth: How Anchor Institutions Bridge Gaps

Full Event Video:

Anchor institutions—libraries, schools and healthcare facilities—serve as critical digital equity hubs in communities where reliable broadband access remains limited. These crucial community spaces often secure high-capacity fiber connections through federal programs like E-rate, then extend those benefits to surrounding communities through public Wi-Fi, digital literacy training, and essential online services. During the pandemic, these institutions proved indispensable as emergency access points for unemployment benefits, remote learning, and telemedicine appointments. America’s anchor institutions are still helping people get connected, highlighting their potential to help close the digital divide. Join us for an important discussion of anchors two weeks in advance of AnchorNets by the Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition!

Anchor Institutions Face Funding Crisis as Digital Divide Widens, Panel Says

The Broadband Breakfast Live Online event comes two weeks before AnchorNets in Arlington, Va., on Oct. 29-31.

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Panelists

• Michael Wallace, Associate Director, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences
• Anne Slaughter, Director of Technology Services, RAILS
• Roger Zambrano, Director of IT, LACOE
• Joseph Wender, Executive Director, SHLB
• Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

Michael Wallace is the Assistant Director of University of Arkansas Medical Sciences,  Institute for Digital Health & Innovation,  e-Link.   Has responsibility for FCC Rural Healthcare Connect Fund (RHCF) financial management, compliance, vendor relationship management, team development, broadband telemedicine initiatives, telemedicine grants. Prior to his current role at UAMS e-Link, Michael’s industry experience is in banking, technology services, electronic medical records systems, and accounting.   His primary e-Link duties are focused around RHCF portfolio development of vendor and e-Link members, bridging budgetary need with funding sources, sourcing market innovations for e-Link sustainability.

Anne Slaughter is Director of Technology Services at the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)—one of two publicly funded regional systems serving libraries of all types across the state—where she oversees technology, data, and cataloging services; administers capacity-building grants to libraries and consortia; and leads digital equity projects including a digital navigator network partnership with Cook County Digital Equity. She currently Chairs the Illinois Broadband Advisory Council, serves in leadership roles in American Library Association’s Core division, and is a member of Public Library Association’s Digital Literacy Advisory Group. She received her MLIS from Dominican University and previously worked in public libraries providing front-line digital inclusion services along with reference, readers’ advisory, collection management, digital platforms, and other services to adults and teens.

Roger Zambrano is an accomplished Director of IT at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, leading a dynamic team overseeing Network Engineering and Cybersecurity. With extensive experience in designing and scaling secure network infrastructures, Roger is recognized for implementing innovative solutions that enhance organizational performance.

Joseph Wender serves as Executive Director of the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB), where he leads efforts to ensure that every school, library, and healthcare provider has access to affordable, high-speed broadband.  He previously served as Director of the Capital Projects Fund, overseeing the $10 billion program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and helping to ensure that all communities have access to modern internet access. He also worked for 13 years on Capitol Hill, including as Senator Ed Markey’s Senior Policy Advisor, where he led a team covering a wide range of issues including telecommunications and infrastructure.  He received his BA from Wesleyan University and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. 

Breakfast Media LLC CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing tool to collect and verify broadband data left unpublished by the Federal Communications Commission. As CEO and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media community advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.