Extending The Ladder with Nancy Novak

Hosted by Compass Datacenters

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Nov 2025

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About the show

Hosted by Compass Datacenters’ Chief Innovation Officer, Nancy Novak, each episode features a prominent woman in the technology industry discussing key subjects, alongside their own personal experiences in the workforce. The aim of this series is to provide insight for the next generation of women leaders, as they forge a path in what has traditionally been a male-dominated space.

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20 recent

November 18, 2025Episode 1831 min

Building Safe Spaces and Strong Futures

In this uplifting episode of Extending the Ladder, host Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Data Centers, welcomes Cathy Russell, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Illinois. Cathy shares her inspiring journey from passionate mom to advocate for youth development, sparked by the transformative experiences of her own son who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Through heartfelt storytelling, Cathy discusses how the Boys and Girls Club provided Keegan—and countless other children—a safe space to build confidence, friendships, and life skills. The conversation dives deep into the significance of mentorship, the power of creating inclusive opportunities, and the role of community in fostering resilience and academic achievement.Cathy and Nancy explore actionable strategies for volunteering, engaging with youth, and the critical impact of reducing screen time and embracing outdoor activities. Listeners will walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and practical steps for making a positive difference in the lives of young people, whether as parents, professionals, or volunteers.Timestamped Overview00:00 Unexpected Friendships Keegan's Story04:31 Empowering Through Community Spaces09:29 Mutual growth through connection12:22 Start with a Club Tour16:42 From trouble to classroom helper20:06 Empowering Parenting and Discipline Approaches23:56 Youth success story summary25:15 Actionable Takeaways for Education29:20 Get outside less screen time31:16 Transformative Stories and Action

October 10, 2024Episode 1730 min

Championing Mental Health with Frontline Leadership

In this episode of Extending the Ladder, host Nancy Novak, Chief of Innovation at Compass Data Centers, engages in a compelling conversation with Rachel Neal, the VP of Global Safety for Compass Data Centers. With a rich background in psychology, human environmental sciences, and over 14 years working in safety, Rachel brings a unique perspective to this discussion.Rachel shares insights into Compass’ new global safety program, emphasizing the importance of the human element and culture. The initiative strives to empower frontline supervisors, encouraging introspection and humility, with a focus on creating safe and productive work environments. A key aspect is promoting empathy, time management, and open communication, which are vital to improving workplace safety and overall culture.The episode also touches upon critical issues such as mental health concerns in the construction industry, the alarming suicide rates, and the stigma surrounding machoism. Rachel highlights the need for personal connections, mutual support, and creating safe spaces for discussions on sensitive topics. Moreover, the conversation explores the role of AI in enhancing safety and the potential of technology to prevent injuries and fatalities. Through collaborative efforts, Compass aims to set industry trends and foster meaningful advancements.Timestamped Overview:00:00 Transitioned careers, leveraging social science background, aligned perfectly.05:26 Frontline supervision crucial for industry-wide safety improvement.07:00 Prioritize introspection for improved outcomes, emphasizing humility.10:44 Reflecting on support needs for time management.16:25 Gender-neutral term can reduce construction industry stigma.20:09 Encourage industry appreciation to attract skilled trades.22:28 Encourage others to promote industry innovation enthusiastically.25:31 AI enhances safety in construction with alerts.29:32 Excited by program's industry impact and feedback received.

September 17, 2024Episode 1626 min

From Classroom to Career: Women Engineers Shaping the Industry

In this episode of "Extending the Ladder," host Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Data Centers, is joined by three remarkable engineering students from Michigan State University: Elena Ristoski, Eleanor Deprez, and Emily Schoepke. Each student brings a unique perspective with their respective disciplines in electrical engineering, applied engineering sciences, and civil engineering, all with a focus on sustainability.Throughout the conversation, the guests share their inspiring journeys into the world of engineering, highlighting the impact of mentors, support networks, and personal experiences in shaping their careers. They discuss the challenges they face in a male-dominated industry, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity and building genuine connections. Key topics include overcoming gender biases, the significance of networking, and the need for more inclusive outreach programs to attract and retain women in STEM fields.The episode also delves into visionary ideas for the industry's evolution, such as achieving gender parity and addressing implicit biases. The discussion is rich with insights, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of engineering and diversity in STEM.Timestamped Overview:00:00 Lucky high school exposure leads to career.06:09 Striving for authenticity and building genuine connections.07:04 Personal connections improve professional relationships and support.10:23 Thriving, diverse perspective, funny Marine Corps dad.16:09 "Conversations about women in workforce are crucial."17:53 Challenges in bringing women together for networking.22:31 Promoting awareness and action against bias and discrimination.25:06 Belonging and potential are key to success.

August 27, 2024Episode 1524 min

Leveraging Potential and Leading with Purpose

In this thought-provoking episode of "Extending the Ladder," host Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Data Centers, is joined by Angela Seaman, the accomplished founder and CEO of Seaman Group. With over a decade's experience in the plastic resin distribution industry, Angela has not only carved a niche for herself but has also pioneered significant sustainable practices by recycling over 10 million pounds of resin, thereby diverting waste from landfills and oceans.In this candid conversation, Angela shares insights into her entrepreneurial journey, deeply rooted in her small-town Texas upbringing and a background in family construction business. She delves into the personal challenges and milestones that have shaped her, emphasizing the importance of grit, tenacity, and a supportive network. The discussion also highlights the critical role of partnerships in scaling businesses, the significance of having a clear vision and set goals, and the power of persistence and a positive attitude. Angela’s story is a testament to the resilience needed to turn adversity into opportunity, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders alike.Angela’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-seaman-853137

March 12, 2024Episode 1430 min

Breaking Ground: Women in Construction Management

Today, Nancy is joined by Amanda Brown and Meghan Thomas, senior construction managers at Compass Datacenters. Amanda and Meghan share their inspiring journeys into the construction industry, drawing from their non-traditional backgrounds and highlighting the value of transferable skills and adaptability in their roles. The conversation highlights the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in the construction industry, emphasizing the value of soft skills, networking, and continuous personal and professional development. They address the significance of mentorship and advocacy for women in construction, articulating the impact of bias and the need to change the narrative around talent in the industry. The episode delves into the importance of building trust, fostering a positive work environment, and breaking down barriers to create more opportunities for women in the construction field.

January 16, 2024Episode 1338 min

Empowering Leadership: Navigating the Corporate Ladder with Amy Swanson

In this episode, Nancy Novak, Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Datacenters, engages in a conversation with Amy Slagle Swanson, Former Managing Executive - North America Alliance Leader - EY at IBM.Amy, drawing from her 35 years of global experience, shares insights on empowering women in leadership roles. The discussion covers the progression of leadership, emphasizing the challenges and importance of self-clarity. Amy addresses stumbling blocks for women, urging them to overcome perfectionism and embrace imperfections in pursuing leadership roles. The power of vulnerability in leadership is explored, highlighting its role in fostering authenticity, connection, and innovation. The discussion stresses the significance of intention and personal connections, advocating for a balance between power and humility in leadership. Throughout, Amy's valuable insights offer a roadmap for women navigating leadership roles in various industries.Amy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-slagle-swanson-5b09bbb/

November 21, 2023Episode 1226 min

Paving the Way for Women in Skilled Trades

Today, Nancy is joined by Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Project Superintendent at HENSEL PHELPS.Kabri's journey from her early career to her current leadership role provides a captivating backdrop for our discussion. Her insights into leadership principles and strategies offer invaluable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned leaders.Throughout their conversation, they explore the multifaceted nature of leadership. Delving into topics such as effective communication, team dynamics, and the importance of fostering a positive work environment, Kabri's leadership philosophy emphasizes the significance of mentorship and continuous self-improvement.Kabri’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabri-lehrman-schmid/

September 19, 2023Episode 1137 min

Empowering Women in STEM with San Diego State University Students

In this episode of Extending the Ladder, Nancy sits down with three incredible STEM students from San Diego State University.Lily Astete, Dani Hunt, and Juliet Luevanos are all navigating the world of STEM and come together today to discuss the barriers, challenges, and opportunities for women in STEM since graduation.In a round table-type episode, Nancy has the opportunity to ask this new generation of women in STEM their thoughts on the industry, as well as opportunities they see for the industry to change to become more inclusive and accepting of all groups.

June 13, 2023Episode 1027 min

Women and Sustainability

In today's episode of Extending The Ladder by Compass Datacenters, Nancy Novak, podcast host and Chief Innovation Officer at Compass Datacenters, is joined by Brittany Marley, Vice President, Client Executive at STACK INFRASTRUCTURE. They dive deep into the role of women in sustainability, the need for collaboration, and the importance of measuring impacts.Marley and Novak discuss:The importance of women leaders in sustainability, and why their underrepresentation could mean missing out on critical solutions.How corporate sustainability hinges on collaboration, specific metrics, and reduction of emissions throughout the supply chain.The need for improving efficiency in data centers to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions, with a special focus on Microsoft's Azure platform.The complexities of solving carbon emissions and the necessity for collaboration at all governmental, corporate, and individual levels.The challenges in supporting digital transformation within energy constraints and the shared responsibility of corporations and consumers.The pivotal role of diversity, inclusion, and equity for success, specifically, the representation and involvement of women in decision-making processes for quality of life improvements and climate change mitigation.Despite the complexities of sustainability and digital transformation, Marley underscores the need for holistic approaches, collaboration, and the invaluable contribution of women's leadership.Brittany Marley, with her extensive experience in developing scalable infrastructure solutions for hyperscalers and cloud providers, has been instrumental in creating strategic partnerships with global clients. She prioritizes operational excellence for complex compute and edge networks, ensuring rapid delivery to meet market demand. Her expertise offers invaluable insights into the need for diversity and innovative thinking in tackling sustainability issues.

April 19, 2023Episode 930 min

Bringing the Next-Gen into Construction

When you picture a stereotypical worker in the construction industry, for most individuals, the first image that probably comes to mind is likely a male. But females are becoming increasingly engaged in construction roles. Female-based apprenticeship programs such as the ANEW in Seattle, Building Pathways in Boston, and Tradeswomen Inc. are facilitating this, according to EHS Today. Why is this growth occurring and what are organizations and businesses doing to catalyze this growth? On today’s episode of Extending the Ladder by Compass Datacenters, podcast Host and Chief Innovation Officer of Compass Datacenters, Nancy Novak, speaks with Jennifer Sproul, President of Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. (MCCEI), about what MCCEI and other companies are doing to boost the number of females in construction-based roles. Novak and Sproul also discussed… How Sproul entered the construction industry and the challenges she faced as a female in the field Recent growth of female involvement in the construction industry and why this is occurring What Compass Datacenters is doing to promote female engagement in construction Despite the small proportion of females in the construction industry, Sproul said there has been an upswing in numbers since 2018. “I’d say probably the first few years or so we were in the industry and out in the workforce we were stuck at about 9 percent, a little under 10 percent of the industry. And now, nationally, we’re at 14 percent. In fact, in Washington, D.C., women make up 17.6 percent.” She believes part of the reason for this upswing is education of women realizing construction opportunities. Jennifer Sproul is President of Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. Prior to her work at MCCEI, she held various marketing roles in a variety of companies and organizations. Sproul has also served as the National Professional Development & Education Committee Chair and the Northeast Region Director of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). She holds an AAS in Construction Management from Catonsville Community College and a BA in Communications from Loyola University Maryland.