Raising Expectations by Harper Harrison – Détails, épisodes et analyse

We're excited to share the third episode of the Harper Harrison Podcast!

In this episode, we're joined by Kaitlin Schaberg, Director of Hyperscale Programs at DC Blox and one of Data Center Magazine’s Top 100 Women in the Industry, as we explore how to position the data center sector as a top career destination for future talent.

Kaitlin shares her journey into the data center space, the story behind her recent recognition as a top industry leader, and how her passion for cross-functional innovation is helping shape the future of digital infrastructure. From implementing AI-powered tools to navigating complex project and change management challenges, Kaitlin highlights what makes this industry so unique, and why increasing visibility and career pathways is key to overcoming the skills gap.

GET TO KNOW KAITLIN: 

Kaitlin holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Management Science & Engineering from Stanford University. She currently serves as the Director of Hyperscale Programs at DC Blox and has been part of the data center industry for nearly 8 years, having previously worked at QTS.In the past six months, Kaitlin was recognised as one of Data Center Magazine’s Top 100 Women in the Industry, a well-deserved accolade that reflects the impact she has made within both her organisation and the wider sector.

She is particularly passionate about integrating cross-functional project management and change management within high-tech environments. During her time at QTS, she implemented the company’s first AI-based tool for analysing data center contracts.

To get in touch with Del Connolly, email: d.connolly@harperharrison.com

Welcome to the Harper Harrison podcast, where we explore the latest insights, trends, and innovations shaping the future of the built environment.

In this episode, Aaron discusses the evolution of the data center industry over the past 25 years. We explore how, while some challenges remain the same in theory, they have become more complex in practice. We also look at how local communities’ perceptions of data centers have evolved, and how understanding of the industry has changed over the years. As the industry continues to grow, we highlight the importance of making it an industry of choice—particularly in addressing ongoing and significant labour shortages. GET TO KNOW AARON: Aaron is a data center industry veteran with over 25 years of experience. He is the Founder and President of Base Partners—an advisory firm supporting investors, developers, and data center service companies across areas including platform investment, capital raising, and market strategy. Previously, Aaron served as COO and Chief Marketing Officer of T5 Data Centers, and before that held significant real estate experience at The Staubach Company, where he first entered the data center sector in the late 1990s. To get in touch with Del Connolly, email: d.connolly@harperharrison.com

In this episode, host, Jakey Bentwood speak with Sloan about his atypical career path. From high school through higher ed and then into the early years of his career, Sloan walks us through the trajectory taken to CEO, challenges he faced and the primary goals and aspirations for the firm moving forward.

ABOUT SLOAN:
Sloan is the CEO of VLK Architects. He has overseen the growth and expansion of the frim from 2 to 5 office locations, diversified markets and has doubled annual revenue generated.
Sloan Harris has steered the firm’s growth and evolution to establish VLK as one of today’s most successful and innovative service providers in the industry. Sloan’s abilities as a strategic manager, designer, and entrepreneur and his commitment to improving the local communities VLK serves, positioned him for leadership since he joined the firm in 2003.
Market sector leader in commercial and institutional projects including corporate interiors, mixed-use, automotive, k-12, and higher ed.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In this episode, host;Jakey Bentwood speaks with Bob about his career trajectory, some of the challenges faced throughout his career, and more. We touch on where his passion for the built environment came from; spoiler alert, it came from a crawl space!
ABOUT BOB CLARK:
Bob’s practicality blends seamlessly with his sharp sense of humor to create a successful hands-on approach to managing employees, clients, and projects. He cares just as much about the nitty-gritty details of operating a growing global firm as he does about the big-picture thinking it takes to keep the business relevant, profitable, and growing.
Bob spent 5 years in the US Airforce before spending 2 years with Jacobs and then moving to Baskervil in 1995. He became COO in the late 90s and has been president of the firm since 2004.
Bob leads a team of over 180, doing projects in over 40 states and 4 countries.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In this episode, host, Jakey Bentwood speaks with Cathy about her career trajectory, challenges and lessons learned throughout her career and her principals in driving grim growth and culture. They even dive into her personal life and passions outside of work that help in her overall work/life balance and satisfaction.
ABOUT CATHY:
Cathy spent almost 13 years with CH2M working on various industrial and advanced technology facilities, including Semi Conductor facilities. She spent some time with the University of Portland before moving to SSOE in the summer of 2017.
Over the last 6 years, Cathy has developed to become SSOEs President, working with SSOE's CEO to set future strategy and key initiatives.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In this episode, I speak with Adana Johns, S&T Practice Leader and Principal of Perkins & Will in Chicago. We discuss her career trajectory, her upcoming plans for the practice, and her design philosophy alongside much more.

For any professionals looking to grow in the world of S&T design and architecture, give this episode a listen!
Having grown up in a design-minded household, Adana is a genuine lifelong learner of Arch & Design.
MEET ADANA JOHNS.
Adana grew up in a design-minded household, drawn to various forms of art at home and school. By her teenage years, Adana managed her family’s greenhouse business, where she was able to exercise her design ability while learning how to listen to customers. By the time she entered architecture school, she not only saw the value of design, but also the value of providing experiences through art.
Like many architecture students at the University of Illinois, Adana took advantage of the opportunity to study in Paris. This was an exhilarating experience for her, and she realized architecture’s roots in history. She began to view architecture as a storybook of people’s expression–how everything she sees, whether intentional design or not, blends into everyday life. Travel sparked her curiosity to understand how the world works, and how the logic, science, and art that make up the built environment evoke a sense of wonder and place.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In this episode we sit and talk with Kelly W and Jackson M, regional leaders of the mission critical practice of the largest architecture firm in the world, Gensler.
We touch on their career trajectory and design preferences while understanding more about the vision of the practice and the future of mission critical design.
Designing for the unbreakable: Unveiling the Mission Critical Architecture.
 
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Jackson Metcalf, LEED AP, is a Design Manager at Gensler; the largest architecture firm in the world. In his 17 years with Gensler, Jackson has led a variety of project types across the globe with a focus on critical facilities, commercial office buildings, and mixed-use projects. He is a global leader of Gensler's Critical Facilities practice, and previously led the Critical Facilities practice for the Northcentral Region. Jackson’s projects are noted for their sustainability — with four data centers receiving LEED Gold certification. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University.
Kelly Westwood, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, Architect at Gensler is a licensed architect in Illinois and New York, with global design experience, excellent design technology skills, and a passion for teaching and creating opportunities for those who otherwise would not have access. She serves as the Regional Practice Area Leader for Critical Facilities at Gensler. With a background rooted in engineering research and development, and grounded by her pragmatic approach to problem-solving, Kelly meets every design challenge with an eager desire to learn and grow, and to help others do the same.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In this episode, I am joined by Eva Baker and Jinhee Lee; two rising stars of the lab planning and design world and Senior Associates of HERA Laboratory Planners.
We discuss their backgrounds and career paths and dig into their approach to design and how it has changed throughout the years.
If you have an interest in the design of lab and science-related facilities – this is a must-listen!
MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS...
Eva is the Director of the Philadelphia HERA office. Coming from a chemistry background, before getting her MArch at UPenn, Eva brings extensive experience in benchmarking, planning, design and CA of Lab facility and other technology-driven spaces. Eva is passionate about code analysis and her in-depth knowledge of MEP systems is particularly helpful on projects.
Jinhee fully believes in the concept of not sacrificing form for function – Labs can be both beautiful and functional. Jinhee is a detail-oriented designer who’s responsibilities have ranged from leadership roles to team support roles for peer review, code analysis, and specification.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

In the 6th episode of 'Adtech Design and Development Leaders' podcast brings Bernadette Muncy, Principal and Architecture Discipline Lead of SmithGroup – One of the oldest (1853) and industry-defining design firms in the world. In this episode, we dive into Bernadette's career, her design philosophy, and her upcoming goals for her career.
We touch on her rescue pup Tickle for a moment or so.
We touch on the time she spent with ⁠The Arbinger Institute ⁠where she worked on her leadership qualities, her self-accountability and the wider impact she can have in her role.
Bernadette Muncy - “vulnerability isn’t something to be ashamed of. Leading is not about being perfect, but rather showing one’s true self. Mistakes don’t equal failures; they can transform into innovation and growth.”
ABOUT BERNADETTE MUNCY
With over 20 years in the industry, Bernadette has worked on some of the largest healthcare IPD projects in New England. Bernadette spent 6 years with Bargmann Hendrie before moving to TRO which was later acquired by SmithGroup. Her specialties lie in Academic Medicine, Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Cancer Care, Govt Health, Women’s and Childrens Healthcare. Bernadette Muncy - “vulnerability isn’t something to be ashamed of. Leading is not about being perfect, but rather showing one’s true self. Mistakes don’t equal failures; they can transform into innovation and growth.” Bernadette takes her role of staffing importantly, which includes learning about people and different project needs to make a good fit for potential employees.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.

I knew Mike and I would see eye to eye when he told me the most constant relationship in his life has been his love for Soccer.
In this episode, we touch on Mikes entry into architecture and the challenges he faced. We discuss his growth and development in this space before discussing his design approach and his upcoming goals for his career.
 
From a student with a passion for Soccer to VP of Architecture of an award-winning AEC firm helping Life Sciences companies usher in the next generation of life-saving therapies, treatments, and technologies; Mike’s route is an uncommon one.
Uncommon, but fascinating.
WHO IS MICHAEL MARONE?
Mike Marone has more than 20 years of professional experience and has directed the architectural design and planning for many of Genesis AEC’s science and technology projects. Mike leads the firm’s architecture practice and is responsible for the delivery of architecture services. An intuitive and experienced conceptual planner, he has led the programming and planning of many significant projects through design development, constructability reviews, “value engineering” challenges, and other hurdles of a contemporary building project
My architectural approach has always been responsive to the client with solutions that are not forced but successfully appropriate for the context of the project.
Despite starting his career in S&T and remaining in this space to this day, Mike's longest relationship is with Soccer.
S1 E6 | Designing Health: Unveiling the Architectural Leadership behind Healing Spaces
In the 6th episode of 'Adtech Design and Development Leaders' podcast brings Bernadette Muncy, Principal and Architecture Discipline Lead of SmithGroup – One of the oldest (1853) and industry-defining design firms in the world. In this episode, we dive into Bernadette's career, her design philosophy, and her upcoming goals for her career.
We touch on her rescue pup Tickle for a moment or so.
We touch on the time she spent with ⁠The Arbinger Institute ⁠where she worked on her leadership qualities, her self-accountability and the wider impact she can have in her role.
Bernadette Muncy - “vulnerability isn’t something to be ashamed of. Leading is not about being perfect, but rather showing one’s true self. Mistakes don’t equal failures; they can transform into innovation and growth.”
ABOUT BERNADETTE MUNCY
With over 20 years in the industry, Bernadette has worked on some of the largest healthcare IPD projects in New England. Bernadette spent 6 years with Bargmann Hendrie before moving to TRO which was later acquired by SmithGroup. Her specialties lie in Academic Medicine, Acute Care, Ambulatory Care, Cancer Care, Govt Health, Women’s and Childrens Healthcare. Bernadette Muncy - “vulnerability isn’t something to be ashamed of. Leading is not about being perfect, but rather showing one’s true self. Mistakes don’t equal failures; they can transform into innovation and growth.” Bernadette takes her role of staffing importantly, which includes learning about people and different project needs to make a good fit for potential employees.
To get in touch with Jakey Bentwood, reach out at j.bentwood@harperharrison.com.