How women can build influence in critical tech roles

Throughout my career, I've often walked into conference rooms where I was the youngest person and frequently the only woman. The conversations were deeply technical, led by people with decades of experience in telecom and data centers. Instead of shrinking back, I learned to see those moments as invitations to rise. I discovered that finding your voice in the tech sector isn't about knowing everything from day one; it's about showing up with curiosity, asking bold questions, sharing your perspective, and trusting that your viewpoint has power. Each room I entered didn't just shape my confidence; it strengthened my belief that diversity of thought makes our industry stronger.

Today, I oversee carrier and partner relationships at Sabey Data Centres, a national provider of sustainable, high‑performance data centres, working at the intersection of connectivity, critical infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as liquid cooling. My path has been nonlinear and, at times, uncomfortable, but those moments of discomfort are precisely what helped me grow into a voice I am no longer hesitant to use.

A nonlinear path into critical infrastructure

I earned a business degree with a concentration in marketing and didn't set out to build a career in telecom or data centers. When I started searching for entry‑level roles, I quickly saw how competitive the space could be without prior internships or the "right" connections. I realized I could either wait for an ideal marketing opportunity or pivot into a path that would help me grow.

That decision led me to a sales position with a large telecom provider. At the time, I had limited understanding of telecommunications. I wasn't an engineer, and lacked a technical background. The company committed to training early‑career hires, so I took the leap. A crash course in network services, paired with responsibility for hundreds of accounts, gave me an accelerated education in a complex industry and taught me how to navigate technical environments with curiosity rather than fear.

As my portfolio evolved, I began to focus on data center accounts. More specifically, I learned about the critical relationship between network providers and data center accounts. Exploring this space sparked my interest and laid the foundation for my work in the data center industry.

Joining a data center operator meant stepping into a position without a predefined playbook. To close my knowledge gap, I invested in my own education, sought out industry resources, and deliberately asked questions rather than pretending I already knew the answers. The learning curve was steep, and I felt out of my comfort zone, but I knew leaning into my discomfort was the only way to push my growth. 

The strategic value women bring

Throughout my career journey, I have seen firsthand the value women bring to technical and infrastructure‑heavy environments. Much of that value shows up in how we approach relationships, experiences, and conversations.

Women frequently lead with a relationship‑first mindset. In sales and partnership roles, it can be tempting to prioritize only the accounts that are actively looking to buy. I took a different approach and continued to support and advocate for customers even when there was no immediate revenue attached to the relationship. That consistency built trust and credibility and ultimately helped open the door to my current role. In an industry characterised by long‑term contracts and mission‑critical services, the ability to sustain relationships over time is a competitive differentiator.

The presence of women also changes the nature of the conversation. Just by being in the room, we invite a more inclusive perspective. When we see another woman at the table, it sends a signal that this is a place in which our needs are being considered and our voices will be heard. These small shifts can broaden an organization's reach.

In an industry where uptime, reliability, and sustainability directly affect how society functions, the decisions made in these rooms matter, and diverse voices help ensure they serve both customers and communities well.

How women can build their voice and create opportunity

To the women who are early in their careers, or considering a move into tech or critical infrastructure, the path can look intimidating from the outside. You may not see many people who look like you in leadership roles, you may not have a traditional technical degree but none of that disqualifies you from contributing meaningfully.

The first practice that has helped me is being willing to move when you hit a wall. At one point, I realized I was no longer being challenged in a role I had outgrown. On paper, it was comfortable and successful. In reality, there was limited room for growth. A move that does not work out is not a failure; it is information that helps you better understand where you can add the most value.

The second is normalizing questions. Early on, I often prefaced my questions with "This might be a silly question, but…" Over time, I noticed that those were usually the questions others were also wrestling with, but hesitating to raise. In complex technical sectors, no one arrives fully prepared for everything. What matters is your willingness to bridge the gaps in your understanding, seek clarity, and build your skills over time.

Third, be intentional about mentorship and networks. When I moved into my current role, my manager encouraged me to identify a woman in leadership who could serve as a mentor. That relationship has become a critical source of guidance and perspective. I also continue to look beyond my own organization, connecting with women at partner companies and through industry groups focused on critical infrastructure and technology. Your network is an ecosystem, not just an org chart.

Finally, say yes to stretch roles when they align with your interests and strengths. Taking on new roles and responsibilities has required me to engage with new technologies and stakeholder groups and build new relationships. This effort has increased my visibility and broadened my ability to contribute to where the industry is headed.

A shared responsibility

As International Women's Day reminds us, progress toward equity is a shared responsibility. When individuals and organizations give time, resources, and support to advance women, everyone benefits.

For women considering this industry, my message is simple: do not count yourself out before you have even stepped into the room. You do not need to be the most technical person at the table to add value. You just need to be willing to learn, to ask questions, and to trust that your perspective matters.

For organizations, the work is equally important. Creating visible pathways for women, encouraging mentorship, and actively sponsoring women into high‑impact roles are critical steps. Ensuring that decision‑making forums include diverse voices is not simply a matter of optics; it strengthens culture, innovation, and long‑term performance.

Finding your voice in the tech sector is not about becoming someone else. It is about recognizing that your experiences, questions, and insights are already valuable, and choosing to use them. When more women are empowered to do that, we strengthen not only our own careers, but also the resilience and innovation of the industry as a whole.