Title: U.S., LatAm & Canada Technical Manager
Company: CNet Training
Age: 57
Education: NYU – Construction Management
Professional Credentials/Accreditations: CDCAP, CDCDP, CDCEP, CDCMP, CDCTP, ATS
Organizational Affiliations: 7x24 Exchange Intl., Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA)
Achievements/Awards: Mission Critical 2021 and 2022 Top 25 Women in Technology — truly an honor.
What led you to a career in technology?
It was more of an evolution that a direct goal. As a structured cabling project manager, I was exposed to so many different environments and technologies being required by different industries. All the technology they needed had to be connected, and that is where I came in. I spent most of my time in the “equipment room,” ensuring all connections to the trading floor above were tested and operational for when the market opened.
What motivates you to go above and beyond in your current position?
I am still fascinated by this industry and learn something new each and every day. With each program I teach, I spend a week with other industry professionals, and we all benefit from it. I always emerge a more enriched professional.
What role does sustainability play in your life both personally and professionally?
This is now a huge focus on my conversations with our customers. As we discuss in our data center programs, sustainability and efficiencies need to be part of the culture and mindset, as well as the budgetary funding across all disciplines to make it a reality.
What is the most fascinating lesson you have learned while working with technology?
No one knows everything, and there is always something new to learn.
What is unique about you personally?
When I was 16, I worked at an album rock radio station and had my Third Class Radio Telephone Operators License. I am a bit of a frustrated disc jockey.
What is unique about you professionally?
I was the only women in NYU’s first year of the construction management program. I had to have an in-person interview to be admitted. When I walked into the admission office and sat in the waiting room, I certainly stuck out like a sore thumb. The interview was a bit condescending, but that only strengthened my resolve, and I never looked back. The rest is history.
What is your most admirable quality?
Hmmm … keeping a positive attitude and perspective.
Why is diversity, equality, and inclusion necessary for this industry?
This incredible industry needs a team of experts. That team is comprised of individuals as diverse as the flora and fauna of this rock we call Earth. With a diverse team will come diverse voices and perspectives, which can make the difference between doing it as we have always done or trying a new approach.
What aspect of the industry has the most potential for growth, and how can we accelerate that?
I believe that growth will be seen in all sectors of the data center industry, but my eye is on the building automation and building management systems that will support the engineering teams by giving them the transparency they need for their critical systems, so they can be proactive with respect to maintenance and emergency procedures. The pandemic and skills shortage put a huge focus on having “eyes” on the facility with limited personnel.
Where does the industry need the most improvement, and what can we learn from the current shortcomings?
The area that needs the most attention is the ability to recruit, train, and retain the qualified individual for the complex environment they are expected to work in. This is a demanding industry. The hours are long — 24/7, 365 days a week, including holidays, the lights must be on. Recruiting and retaining the qualified staff needs to be a priority for data center organizations to ensure they have the coverage for the demands of the facility.
When you imagine the future technology, what does it look like?
Great question: What does the future of technology look like? I think it will look different to different consumers of different technologies. Anything from wearable, implant technology that keeps humans and the metaverse connected to a small, remote compute enclosure providing up-to-date autonomous vehicle information on every street corner to 400 kW of compute capacity all in a bath of mineral oil ... the possibilities of what it could look like are endless. So exciting!
