Production goes beyond simply a mechanical process, it requires a combination of talent, ingenuity and passion for excellence. This is the story of extraordinary women who said yes to the challenge of a traditionally male-dominated field and showed that gender is not a factor in providing value.
According to data from Uptime Institute Management and Operations Survey, data center design and operations teams have historically employed few women. More than three-quarters of operators reported employing around 10% women or less, and a fifth still do not employ a woman in their design and operations teams.
These figures show the need for inclusiveness in these fields, and the missed opportunity for companies to experience the impact that the women featured here are making in the industry.
Harnessing the Strength of a Bending Machine
Macaria Sosa, an operator at the Reynosa plant, arrived from Veracruz motivated by the need to look for new opportunities and get ahead to give a better life to her daughter, who has now become a nursing student. Her determination and dedication have kept her at Vertiv for 17 years.
In the plant, she is the only woman maneuvering a large machine, the Cincinnati metal bender. There, Macaria takes large metal structures that have already been cut and makes small bends in them, thanks to the machine's standardized programs. It is a very manual job because she is the one who makes the changes to the piece according to the needs of the final product, which requires technical skill, care and precision.
“At first, it was a little different for me because I was the only woman in the area, but I adapted and earned the respect of my colleagues. I always say that wanting is power, and although it is hard work, I learned and now time passes very quickly at work,” she explained.
Laying the Foundations to be an Engineer
Priscila Lemus wanted to study journalism, but being a very young mother, she decided that it was best to study industrial engineering because living by the border means it is quicker to find work in one of the maquiladoras in the area. She had to worked two jobs to be able to fulfill her children's duties, and with the support of her family, she finished her studies as an industrial engineer. Now works in the mechanical engineer department at the Tijuana plant, she is happy with her decision to venture into a world she did not know.
After 11 years at Vertiv, she is now part of the bases area in the mechanical engineering department, in which she must design the construction plans for the base structure of the data center that has all the specifications requested by the client and provide support to production in the area of C&I (Custom and integration AHU's Projects). One of her dreams is to reach a managerial level because there are no women in her work area, which motivates her to continue striving to achieve that goal.
“One day I design the base structure of the data center, and at that moment I thought: I've done it! This is my place. When I finished my degree and they called me an engineer, that's when I realized it was real. I’m passionate about data centers, and knowing that that base structure is going to lay the foundation for something important for a hospital or a school makes me feel part of something significant, and that is motivating.”
Designing Metal Pieces and Copper for Chillers
Marcela Guerrero, an industrial engineer who works in the mechanical engineer department at the Monterrey plant, immerses herself daily in the design of sheet metal parts, pipes, and screws, as well as in the supervision of assemblies and documentation models of Thermal Management equipment, with the aim of enabling best product quality and efficiency.
After spending more than two decades in her career, she has had to face moments of gender discrimination, from discouraging comments to obstacles. And today, after almost three years at Vertiv, she is a mentor to young engineers. This motivates Marcela to lay the foundation so that future generations, will have more opportunities than she had in her youth.
“We must feel pride in what we do, in the path we have taken or plan to achieve our goals and dreams. No one else knows what we have had to sacrifice to be where we are. We must assert our voice and be brave. We must trust our abilities and not be afraid of the unknown, because professional growth arises from the new, from everything we do not know.”
These are just some of the women who lead from the production line at Vertiv. Their contribution goes beyond production, operation and equipment assembly. They are stories of determination, improvement and passion that make a difference in the data center industry.
Visit our page at DC4 Women to access more inspiring stories of women who are transforming Latin America's data centers.
Macaria Sosa
Operator at the Reynosa plant
I believe in the saying “wanting is power”; I tell my colleagues to apply for positions without fear. I started in a line of work and then sought the opportunity to operate a bending machine. I learned and now I enjoy my job as an operator. I am the only woman in the area maneuvering a large machine. That’s why I say that when you love what you do, anything can be achieved.
Marcela Guerrero
Industrial engineer at the Monterrey plant
The world is so globalized that at a business level, gender diversity is necessary so that there are different points of view and there are no biases. Saying what we think, and sharing experiences, strengthens teams. Therefore, at a business level, I do not consider that there are differences between men and women as what is important should be the knowledge and skills provided.”
Priscila Lemus
Industrial engineer at the Tijuana plant
My advice to women is to educate themselves and study, regardless of the field, whether technology or another area. The important thing is continuous improvement. We must be open to transformation and continue moving forward. Education opens doors and, together with a positive attitude, we can overcome any obstacle.”
