Kao Data has placed women at the centre of the data centre conversation with the launch of Critical Careers: Celebrating Women in Digital Infrastructure, a brand-new campaign that profiles the achievements of female professionals across every corner of the sector.
The project forms part of Kao Data’s wider ESG programme and seeks to inspire a new pipeline of talent at a time when digital infrastructure is expanding at break-neck pace.
The publication brings together first-person interviews with women working in disciplines as varied as engineering, real estate, HR and marketing, reflecting the breadth of roles now required to keep the AI-driven, cloud-hungry global economy running. Some contributors are household names; others operate below the radar. All, however, are credited with shaping one of Britain’s fastest-growing industries.
“Critical Careers aims to celebrate the remarkable women who are thriving in digital infrastructure. We wanted to take an in-depth look at the countless, impactful contributions women from all disciplines and at all stages of their careers are making to the industry,” said Kalay Moody, Chief People Officer at Kao Data.
“What we discovered is that no two stories are the same, but together they reflect the importance of diverse experiences in driving progress and innovation in mission-critical infrastructure.”
The push for greater diversity comes amid persistent skills shortages in data centres – a pain point that risks throttling growth just as AI workloads ramp up. By documenting personal journeys rather than issuing another set of statistics, Kao Data hopes to underline the human element of a sector often perceived as purely technical and male-dominated.
“Women in the data centre industry bring a balance that is essential for holistic problem-solving and innovation. By integrating different perspectives and approaches, teams can achieve more balanced and effective solutions,” said Cláudia Alves, Strategic Negotiator, Google.
“Critical Careers is showcasing all the ways women are making a difference in the data centre industry and that there’s no one way to lead, contribute, or succeed.”
Beyond celebrating success, the campaign is designed to act as a recruitment tool, illustrating the sheer variety of career paths on offer. Kao Data notes that the initiative dovetails with its own diversity targets and broader environmental and social goals, arguing that a more inclusive workforce ultimately delivers more resilient infrastructure.
Copies of Critical Careers will be distributed to schools, universities and industry bodies over the coming months, while digital excerpts will appear on Kao Data’s website and social channels. Further interactive events and panel discussions are planned for later in the year, giving prospective entrants a chance to quiz contributors directly.
