DCD>Connect | Virginia, held November 7-8, 2022, welcomed over 500 of North America’s most influential data center design and construction supply chain ecosystem leaders. The robust 2-day event included major panels, networking opportunities and more. With a focus on emerging technology, attendees were presented with demonstrations from over 50 elite partners.
In addition to panels and networking, DCD>Connect was packed with industry-leading content, including:
- Case Study Presentations – fellow industry leaders, providing insights into operations and performance
- DCD>Debates – a series of open, interactive discussions and debates with industry leaders
- DCD>Talks – industry leaders discussing more in-depth hot topics facing the industry
Involta was delighted to attend and present as an invited guest at DCD>Connect | Virginia. In addition to our company presence, our very own Michelle Moran, SVP of Sales, Product and Marketing for Involta, was featured on a panel alongside other industry women leaders to answer the critical question: Virginia, We Have a Problem– How Big is the Data Center PR Issue?
This exclusive panel took a deep dive into what steps the digital infrastructure industry must take to enable sustainability and be a better neighbor to the communities that our data centers call home. The panel was instrumental in defining what needs to be done in order to make a difference and inspire others to do the same.
Questions presented to the panel included:
- Why are DCs a target?
- Are data centers deserving of better PR, and what do they bring to the table?
- How do we need to build, design and operate to avoid critique?
Michelle provided an outstanding and informative discussion on NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard, a term that represents a resistance to unwanted development), and what corporate commitments to sustainability exist, highlighting enterprise concerns around ESG. As an industry leader in economic development, Michelle also delivered an insightful look into the data center industry workforce, offering assessments of the hiring process.
Other leaders on the panel included:
- Vicki Worden, President/CEO, Green Building Initiative
- Karen Petersburg, Design Director, Digital Realty
- Christine Ng, PhD, CPEA, Principal, Ramboll
- Kisandka Moses, Senior Channel Content Manager, DatacenterDynamics
- Laurel Burton of JSA, Executive Vice President of Account Strategy, JSA
“I was honored to be a part of such an important discussion around aligning the delivery of critical data center services with our communities’ concerns,” commented Michelle Moran. “Participating in this panel alongside the industry’s highly regarded women – all who are striving each and every day to make our industry more sustainable while becoming a better, engaged neighbor – was a true reflection of Involta Cares and my own personal mission to make the world a greener place.”
Michelle joined Involta in 2015 with an extensive background in management and technology. She has been in IT sales for more than 30 years. She is at the forefront of the technology industry’s evolution, leading teams that have successfully deployed new technologies and cutting-edge IT solutions and opened data centers.
Involta: A Different Kind of Partnership
Were you unable to attend DCD>Connect | Virginia, or are you interested in learning more about the services Involta provides? We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a free security consultation.
In the meantime, we invite you to attend the DCD>Data Center Tour series, where you can explore and get a virtual inside look into Involta’s best-connected facility consisting of 52,000+ square feet of secure data storage space and the future of edge colocation in North America. You will also have an opportunity to meet the Involta team during a ‘live Q&A’ and interactive roundtable. Learn more HERE.
