A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
March is our annual issue of AutomatedBuildings.com that celebrates the women of our industry. Finding amazing talent to grow our ever-expanding industry should be everyone’s mission. Showcasing these industry leaders is one of my greatest pleasures.
In building content for this issue, we’ve taken our cue from the International Woman’s Day web site (https://www.internationalwomensday.com/), where they break down several areas of focus into MISSIONS (such as women in technology, women at work, women forging change) in their efforts to forge a gender equal world.
How have some women risen to the challenges of this industry while creating opportunities? Let's hear from them in their own words.
Alicia Greene, Marketing Manager, Cochrane Supply:
There is nothing more inspiring than working for a company with strong female leadership
As a woman new to the Building Automation and HVAC industry, there is nothing more inspiring than working for a company with strong female leadership. At Cochrane Supply & Engineering we are lucky enough to have an amazing group of female employees that produce impressive results every day. Being new to the company and the industry, it was hard not to notice this diverse atmosphere, and that two of our main leadership positions were filled by women.
Kristin Tangen Steffins, BSc, PhD Managing Partner at Banyan Group of Companies Ltd.:
Follow your passions - Rather than slogging through “what you are supposed to do”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Follow your passions-Rather than slogging through “what you are supposed to do” do what you love and know that there will be a way to make it a career. Have faith that with hard work, a positive attitude the opportunities will present themselves.
Do not be discouraged by challenges-work through them, look for the lesson and find the opportunity from that lesson.
Some things that seem terrible at the time can turn out to be the best thing that could have happened. Trust that some things are meant to be, and you may not yet know the reason.
Carrie Anne Monplaisir, Regional Vice Chair for the Young Engineers in ASHRAE Committee (in the latest episode of ASHRAE Journal Podcast):
Equity is the goal we strive for
A lot of the times, I think people feel attacked like, "Oh, we're being called out for doing something that we're doing maliciously or intently." That's not the point. You could be doing something based on these unconscious biases that we're all unaware of and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is trying to just spread awareness, so that we can all just rethink about how we're interacting with other people. We're all guilty of it, we all just have things that we don't understand because we haven't had those experiences or know anyone close to that. If we just are all a little bit more aware, we take some time to educate ourselves, we can create a more inclusive world.
Sabine Lam, Workplace Technology and Data Lead (Google)
In fact, my experience and opinion are the results of a complex combination of background, generational norms, mentorship, and luck. Everyone has a unique story, and here is mine, along with some personal observations.
Sudha Jamthe, Technology Futurist and CEO of IoTDisruptions
Artificial Intelligence puts a mirror in front of us to show our biases and human frailties
Artificial Intelligence puts a mirror in front of us to show our biases and human frailties because we train AI using our data from our actions and past histories. In a world that is not gender-equal, women can see the biases carried forward by AI easily. From hiring algorithms that prefer men to facial recognition systems to COVID vaccines run by AI that are trained with less women's data leading them to false positives—from pain to missed opportunities.
Lauren Scott, VP Marketing and Sustainability, Intelligent Spaces Group, Acuity Brands
Migration has left many employers scrambling for ways to attract and retain talent
2020’s Great Pause provided the space for professionals around the world to reconsider their career paths. Their quest over the past two years in pursuing more fulfilling options has culminated into today’s Great Resignation. What an opportunity then for companies, already seeing ESG requirements on the horizon, to invite associates to walk this new sustainability path forward by giving and growing together.
Take a look at the history of our Celebrations in 2021 and 2020:
March 2021 - Our Amazing Women Choose to Challenge. Our sub-theme is "Be the Change" which fits well, because “From challenge comes change,” is the IWD 2021 campaign theme.
What are some of the opportunities? For the week ending February 19, 2022, the Association of Controls Professionals research tells us that there are 74,997 BAS vacancies.
Project Haystack announces second FREE virtual conference – Haystack Connect 2022.
Following on from the success of our first virtual conference in 2021, Project Haystack is excited to announce that the Haystack Connect 2022 conference will take place May 10 – 12, 2022. Last year the virtual format saw the conference become more accessible to a wider audience who were able to enjoy a variety of educational discussions and presentations.
Also, we have just updated AutomatedBuildings.com Timeline SMART BUILDING AUTOMATION EVOLUTION
For a quick blur of the past 23 years +, click on the continue button then the 3D button just to the left and zoom our past as fast as you can comprehend. It has been an amazing journey and we have just started it. Looking at 22 years in less than a minute is a fun trip. Enjoy You can also use the active time bar at the bottom to go to any year or month.