In a recent Nomad Futurist podcast, hosts Nabeel Mahmood and Phillip Koblence explore the challenges women face in the data center industry – particularly around attracting, retaining, and advancing female talent – with Melissa Olson, Data Center Solutions Leader at Belimo Americas. Leveraging over two decades of expertise in mechanical and control systems, Olson highlights the need for better support and clear career pathways, especially for women balancing motherhood with their careers.

Olson shares concerning accounts, such as instances where job offers were rescinded due to pregnancy, highlighting the urgent need for the industry to foster a more accommodating and supportive environment.

“Women [need to] know that there is a path for them if they want to be a mother, as well to be a mother and be in the data center space.”

Mentorship and company culture were identified as critical factors in retaining women in the industry. Despite holding high positions, Olson describes many women feeling a lack of clear advancement opportunities, often due to the absence of visible mentors. She underscores the necessity for companies to beyond rhetoric and actively support women through flexible work arrangements and empathetic leadership, enabling them to balance personal and professional responsibilities.

“Our focus is really helping women in the data center space, helping them grow, helping them find mentorship, helping them find the path for them to not only stay in the data center space but thrive in the data center space.”

The episode concludes with a call for cultural change and early engagement with younger generations to introduce them to the industry. Olson emphasizes the importance of moving towards a more performance-based evaluation system, where employees are judged by their output rather than physical presence, and the need to inspire future talent to pursue careers in this vital sector.

“The older generation I used to say that they used to measure their success by the number of cars in the parking lot or the number of…. seats in the offices. That's certainly started to change quite a bit and particularly in our sector… At the end of the day, the most important thing… It's culture. And it's respect and being empathetic, right? And trusting people, that's the most important thing.”

Olson calls for a paradigm shift in how the data center industry supports and advances women. She highlights the critical need for a culture that values empathy, trust, and flexibility, ensuring that women, particularly those balancing motherhood, can thrive in their careers.

Connect with Olson and stay updated on her ongoing efforts to drive positive change in the industry.