Interview with Janna Connor, Unit Manager at Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Women in Data Centers

Interview with Janna Connor, Unit Manager of Data Centers at Blue Cross and Blue Shield | Women in Data Centers

AFCOM: What does your day-to-day look like? What are your favorite parts of your job?

Each day is different; I may have a TO DO list to start with, but I must shift priorities all day long. Emails, ‘quick’ phone calls coming in, and constant project reviews with my team are typical day interrupters. We handle and juggle many data center projects each day, and they all require differing levels of attention. For the main part, my Facilities teams manage the day-to-day projects on the data center floor. We collaborate a lot and discuss what is needed and the financial implications.

I am the liaison between Facilities and IT and have built a solid relationship to handle data center needs. IT brings in the equipment for Facilities to install and we maintain the infrastructure (electrical and data). We work together to ensure that we cover the scope of each project and marry it into the existing infrastructure.

My favorite parts of my job have to do with the people. I am a people person and enjoy building teams. In most of my 34-year career I have been in facilities management, and I've been involved with data centers the last 12 years. Being one of the few women in both male-dominated industries has taught me how to work with anyone. I manage and lead in many ways and always try to cultivate open collaboration and communication.

AFCOM: What industry trends or emerging technologies have made you the most excited?

Well, two things: AI and nuclear energy. Artificial intelligence has been around for decades, but we're finally growing into it. I think with all the technology we have around us, it's the perfect time for AI to explode even more. It’s interesting; if you ask a lot of people about AI, a common answer is that "I don’t want the robots to take over." I don’t feel that way; I've believed AI enhances our work and capabilities. The sheer amount of data that can be culled through in seconds and minutes by machines/programs to provide an answer or options saves countless human hours/days/weeks.

Nuclear energy is fascinating. It has such great potential to provide a reliable and constant power source with very minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Obviously, there are quite a few issues that need to be resolved (no community wants it, a huge uphill battle with perception, and how do we use it practically). To make this work, data centers need flexibility and scalability, regulatory issues, and a revitalization of public perception. But I see a nugget of sheer possibility that, with time, we will figure out how this could work.

AFCOM: What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment thus far? What do you hope to accomplish by 2030?

There are several accomplishments that come to mind. Back in my 20’s, I worked on a $50 million healthcare modernization and became the overall lead of the project. It was so exciting when we opened the new hospital doors to the public.

Back in my thirties, I managed a 3000 person move into a new campus through 25 moves over the course of 7 weeks. The amount of work to get everyone ready and moved was massive. But the day after each move, when I walked around to everyone’s new desk, it was so awesome. Very few had any complaints. Most were so excited for their new desk, their new light-filled offices, and overall were just happy to be in a new space.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my CFM Certified Facility Manager credentialing. I studied for the exam, but the amount of facilities work I had done up to that point readied me for the initial test. Most of all the questions were based on something I had come across in facilities.

I am currently working on my master’s in management and the plan is to be done in 2025. I then want to move right into a PhD. I am not quite sure what my degree or focus will be, but I do love the data center industry. It is endlessly fascinating, and, who knows, maybe in a few years there will be more courses about data centers.

AFCOM: In your opinion, how can the industry encourage and empower more women to start a career in data centers?

Women need to always encourage women! I am in two male-dominated fields, facilities and data centers, and I have not had any mentors because there are so few of us. I’d like to change that dynamic and be a mentor to others. Let’s grab ‘em while they are young – talk to schools, go to career days, show them what data centers can do. Data centers are so prevalent in our technologically savvy world right now but are such a hidden part. We need to be more vocal – we need to talk more about our field. We’ve been secretive for too long – to the point where everyone I meet asks: What is a data center?

AFCOM: What advice would you provide to young professionals looking to start a career in the data center industry?

Study up on everything about data centers and the industry. So many fields interconnect into a data center: IT, data analytics, engineering, data technicians, electrical, mechanical, information security, etc. Many of us just fell into the data center field – there was no rhyme or reason. But now that I am here – I love the potential of data centers and am excited to see it grow into so much more. I'd love for younger generations to see the potential of this industry and continue to help build it into something new.

Please keep an eye out for the next release of our "Women in Data Centers" interview series.