Critical Careers

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady is joined by Claire Jones from Equinix, Kalay Moodley from Kao Data, and Theodora Savage from Virtus Data Centres for a conversation on the data centre talent pipeline, and what the industry must do to attract, develop and retain the people it will need for the future. With the sector facing rapid growth, a long-standing skills shortage a...

Recorded at Datacloud Global Congress 2026 in Cannes, Lizzy McDowell and Joyce Wady speak with representatives from Critical Careers' strategic partners about the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the data centre industry. Lizzy speaks with Charlotte Wood from Spa Communications and Andrew James from Mace Construct about why diversity, communication and collaboration are essential as...

In this bonus episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady and Lizzy McDowell reflect on the incredible growth of Critical Careers over the past 12 months - from a single book idea into a podcast, a second book, an established community and an initiative supported by six strategic partners. Following the launch of the second Critical Careers book, Joyce and Lizzy discuss what it has meant t...

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady welcomes Sarah King, from AVK, and Anna Solar-Bassett to discuss why communities are pushing back on data centres — and what the industry needs to do differently as it moves further into the public spotlight.  First, Joyce speaks with Sarah King about the importance of education, local context and meaningful community engagement. Drawing...

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data, is in the presenter chair, welcoming Kir Devaser, Product Marketing Lead at CUDO Compute, to talk about confidence: how it is built, how it can be knocked, and why it is not always something people feel as strongly as others perceive.  The conversation follows Kir’s journey from economics and financ...

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady welcomes Kelly Phillips to explore the role that mentorship, allyship and community have played in shaping her career in data centres and digital infrastructure. Kelly shares how her earliest work experiences - from growing up in a family business to working on cruise liners - taught her resilience, adaptability, high standards and the im...

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady welcomes Blanka Thibault, founder of TechHer Capital, to discuss the investment side of the data centre industry.  With AI driving unprecedented demand for digital infrastructure, the conversation explores why investment and boardroom decision-making remain areas where women are still underrepresented. Blanka shares her journey from real...

Recorded in front of a live audience at CBRE's Southwark Street office, this episode of Critical Careers brings together three senior leaders in the data centre industry: Eve Mcilvaney (Yondr Group), Lisa Duignan (Turner & Townsend), and Caroline Manzor (CBRE). Together, they explore what it truly means to lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced, mission-critical industry. The conversat...

This episode of Critical Careers brings together three women steering digital infrastructure at the highest level: Elvira van Bruggen (Microsoft), Kirsty Harrower (Norton Rose Fulbright), and Deborah Shaw (Apatura). Together, they explore the diverse paths that led them into the sector, the challenge of building for an uncertain and fast-moving future, and the realities of power, regulation, and r...

In this episode, Joyce Wady welcomes Andrea Stosic (NTT Global Data Centres) and Dame Dawn Childs (Pure Data Centres) onto the podcast to discuss their work in engineering. The conversation explores the common misconceptions surrounding engineering, emphasising the diverse roles within the field that go beyond traditional hands-on or design work. It highlights the importance of understanding the v...

In this episode, Joyce Wady and Jennifer Olafenwa (Brilliant AI Technologies) explore how innovation flourishes when people from different backgrounds bring their ideas to the table. Jennifer shares her story of how she came to build an AI company after starting her career in law and being inspired by ChatGPT. They also discuss how AI can become a tool not just for progress, but for greater access...

In this episode of the Critical Careers Podcast, Joyce Wady speaks with Melanie Kiely (Oracle).Melanie shares her journey through the digital infrastructure industry, discussing the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and the importance of mentorship and networking. She emphasises the need for women to build their confidence, develop their personal brand, and be intentional about thei...

In the latest episode of the Critical Careers Podcast, Joyce Wady interviews Lauren Wendon from CBRE, discussing the critical role of health and safety in data centre operations. Lauren shares her unexpected journey into the data centre industry, emphasising the importance of human factors in risk management and the need for workplace flexibility. The conversation also touches on mental health awa...

In this episode of the Critical Careers Podcast, Joyce Wady speaks with Libby Milne (Buro Four) about the importance of building community within the data centre industry, particularly for women. They discuss the collaborative culture emerging in the industry, the role of the Forum for Women in Data Centres, and the significance of networking and mentorship. Libby shares her experiences and insigh...

In this episode of the Critical Careers podcast, host Joyce Wady engages with Catriona Shearer (JLL) and Michelle Wallace (Digital Infrastructure Ireland, A Better Work) to discuss the challenges and their methods on creating change within the workplace. They explore the importance of networking for women, the need to break traditional workplace norms, and the significance of creating a human-cent...

In the second episode of the series, Joyce Wady welcomes Anna Rantala (BCS), Holly Fenner (GeN+1), and Luisa Cardani (TechUK) to the studio to discuss starting fresh in the industry. This episode explores the diverse paths individuals take to enter the data centre industry, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and the need for a shift in public perception. The speakers discuss their unique b...

In the first episode of the Critical Careers podcast, Joyce Wady sits down with Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data. They discuss the significance of data centres in our day to day lives, why women are making such a difference in this industry, and the personal journeys that led them to their current roles. The conversation highlights why women feel so welcome in digital infrastructu...

Real stories. Diverse journeys. Women leading what’s next. Critical Careers is a podcast celebrating the women building, leading, and designing digital infrastructure. Through honest conversations with women at every stage of their careers, we uncover what it takes to thrive in one of the world’s most vital and fast-changing industries. You may not realise it, but you rely on this technology every...