FROM THE INDUSTRY
Susanna Kass is an entrepreneur, inventor, lecturer, board member and AI scientist with a focus on discovering AI technology to accelerate performance, energy efficiency and sustainability. Currently, she is an Operating Partner, Digital Gravity Infrastructure Partners. She is an Energy Fellow, Stanford University, a co-founder & BOD, InfraPrime, net zero startup based in Switzerland, and a Data Center Advisor on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Programme. Previously, Kass was COO, eBay International, GM APAC Data Center Operation at HP, VP, Global Data Center Business Operation at Sun Microsystems, Head of Innovation at NextEra Energy and EVP, Sustainability Operations, Baselayer. 2024 World’s Top 10 Women Distinction, 2023 DCD Lifetime Achievement Contributor Award, ranks 1st as Top 10 Sustainability Award for the Global World of Data Center, Top 10 Women in Data Centers, Elite Achievers’ Club by CIO Women Magazine, Most Influential Women to Follow by Inc. Magazine, Topmost 50 Climate Change leaders for 5 consecutive years, Top 100 Outstanding Women in Tech and Mothers by Women Most Admired, Top 10 Data Center Influencers to Follow by LinkedIn.
Susanna Kass, Co-Founder at InfraPrime, USA
For me, it’s the importance of female leaders embracing the process of acquiring and effectively using their power. I acknowledge the sort of traditional patterns where female leaders might avoid seeking power or struggle to wield it, but increasingly I feel a functional society requires great leaders, especially female ones, who can utilise power effectively for the benefit of communities. There are certain qualities I have learned along the way that might be perceived as lacking in emerging female leaders today: n Levelling Value of Potential to Fuel Own Success: Acknowledging the importance of being a reliable professional, female leaders know they need to go beyond just getting things done. Recognising one’s own full potential and harnessing the skills, knowledge and experience to effectively lead and become the go-to person in times of crisis is crucial for sustained success. n Communicate Your Unique Value: Female leaders must proactively communicate the unique value they add. This goes beyond wishful thinking and requires overcoming shyness and modesty, compared to male colleagues who tend not to struggle in the same way with this. Articulating achievements, taking the initiative to make valuable contributions is essential for the impact for others and seek recognition. n Changing the Rules of the Game: Instead of merely following rules to deliver results, female leaders must
What first attracted you to the telecoms/broadband industry and how did you get into this business? I’m a computer scientist, familiar with a fast-paced computing realm. I was first attracted into the IT business as a computer science graduate, fascinated as I was with data computations, and how we can seek new intelligence by reliably performing the computation of massive volumes of data generated by business units across geographical locations, all with the aim of providing key insights for business leaders to make concise decisions. What, if any, mentors helped you along the way? I’m so grateful for mentors as my life coaches to work hard, develop the strength to overcome daily obstacles as well as the grit to keep going and resilience to bounce back from setbacks. I place strong emphasis on good science, practicing good science with my fellow researchers and seeking new knowledge from my professors; discovery guides my thinking in seeking new solutions. I am so thankful to my clients whose often rigorous constraints impose critical thinking – it’s actually helped me develop customer-centric technological innovations. I’m also grateful to my two daughters who inspire me every day with joyfulness. They inspire me to continue making a positive impact on humanity and our environment for future generations. What have you learned along the way as a woman in a male-dominated environment?
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Volume 46 No.1 March 2024
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