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Advocating for Real Change N A M E : Nancy Novak J O B T I T L E : Chief Innovation Officer C O M P A N Y : Compass Datacenters
T
he need for enterprises in the tech sphere to readdress their approach to diversity and inclusion has never been more apparent, both for the sake of fostering a more inclusive, just industry, and addressing the growing skills shortage already being felt throughout the industry. More than ever, the industry needs to cultivate and advocate for diverse talent. “The urgency of the need for diversity is not simply one of fairness and equal opportunity,” wrote Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Datacenters, in a recent opinion piece. “It’s not hyperbolic to say that this is an existential issue for companies fighting to win the war for talent to enable them to put the right people in the right roles to be competitive today and tomorrow.”
18
April 2022
Years experience
30+
With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry - during which time she has overseen the delivery of more than $3.5bn worth of critical infrastructure projects Nancy Novak is a true infrastructure veteran who has, and continues to, vocally champion the cultivation of a more diverse talent pool in the industry. “Organisations that aren’t actively working to diversify their workforces run the risk of stunting their ability to grow by artificially limiting their access to talent,” she continues. While Novak is a vocal proponent of increasing mentorship aimed at fostering greater diversity, she also goes beyond typical rhetoric to point out that the industry needs to go even further: towards true advocacy. “Real change only happens when people in positions of influence and power take on the roles of advocates for talented women and minorities,” she stresses.
