The Unsung Heroes
of the Digital Age

Rola Dagher, with a career spanning over two decades, stands as a guardian of progressive leadership and diversity within the tech industry. Guided by the belief that leadership is an action taken daily, she has shaped her path through roles at some of the world’s leading tech companies, including her impactful stint as President and CEO of Cisco Canada and various leadership roles at Dell Technologies and Bell Canada.

Rola’s influence extends beyond her executive positions; she is a globally recognized leader, celebrated by CRN as one of the 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs of 2022-23 and included in their 2023 Women of the Year and Top 100 Execs lists. Her dedication to fostering diverse talent is evident in her commitment to empowering women, highlighted by her recognition as one of the 2020 Top 25 Women of Influence™ by WXN and one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™.

A co-founder of the BlackNorth Initiative and an active member of the 30% Club advisory board, Rola is relentless in her efforts to accelerate progress for women in the workplace. Her civic engagement is further exemplified by her roles on the boards of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), the Horatio Alger Association of Canada, and the University of Waterloo Dean’s Advisory Council.

Rola’s philosophy of “learn it, earn it, and return it” resonates through her numerous accolades and honorary doctorates, reflecting her journey of continual learning and giving back. Appointed to the Order of Canada in 2023, Rola’s career is a testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to leadership that transcends barriers and fosters inclusive excellence.

Thank you, Rola, for your exceptional leadership. We salute you!

Miranda Gardiner, a LEED Fellow with over 16 years of dedicated experience in sustainability, is a formidable guardian of green building initiatives and sustainable practices. As the Executive Director for the iMasons Climate Accord, Miranda is at the forefront of leading industry-wide efforts to achieve carbon neutrality in digital infrastructures. Her illustrious career includes roles as Global Manager for Data Center Sustainability at Meta and VP, Sustainable Design Leader at HKS, where she contributed to sustainable building certifications, master plans and policies.

Miranda is a a passionate champion of informed decisions that drive significant advancements in sustainability. An accomplished author and speaker, she effectively communicates complex issues to peers, clients, and corporate leaders, fostering comprehensive environmental stewardship. She currently serves on the Open Compute Project (OCP) Future Technologies Symposium (FTS) program committee and previously served on the Board of Directors and as the chair of the Committee on the Environment (COTE) for AIA-Los Angeles.

Additionally, Miranda is an avid outdoor enthusiast and athlete, embodying her belief that personal well-being resonates with caring for the planet. She has completed numerous half-, full- and ultramarathons, as well as the Ride to Conquer Cancer–a two-day road cycling event, from Vancouver to Seattle–and serves as a Sustainability merit badge counselor for the Scouts of America Troop 2 in Santa Monica.

Through her professional achievements and public engagement, Miranda has driven design and operational efficiencies that have resulted in significant cost savings and reductions in environmental impacts. Her holistic approach to her professional and personal life inspires a balance that benefits both people and our natural environment, solidifying her role as a true guardian of our planet and communities. Thank you, Miranda, for your invaluable contributions. We salute you!

Jenny Vavra stands as a guardian of innovative business practices and sustainable development in her role as VP of Enabling Services at Equinix, where she has been a pivotal force for the past 11 years. Jenny’s leadership is characterized by her fearless approach to creatively and realistically enhancing company services, customer satisfaction, and planetary health.

Her focus extends to catalyzing organizational and community change, fostering a new generation of leadership, and designing forward-thinking strategies and structures for optimal outcomes. Jenny is deeply invested in the development of customer-centric functionality that transforms the user experience or delivers insight to optimize efficiency and sustainability. Her expertise in Lean Product Management and her vision for the “future of work” through progressive organizational design, culture, and practices set her apart as a transformative leader.

Projects and features that Jenny has delivered range from workforce analytics to data center infrastructure telemetry, from lead to revenue, and from custom fit-out services to site security. She is adept at streamlining processes, integrating automation tools globally, and implementing resource-focused strategies that ensure performance excellence. Her approach transforms groups into cohesive teams that foster a shared sense of purpose across organizations.

In recognition of her contributions, we celebrate Jenny for her commitment to empowering employees, aligning strategy with structure, and her innovative leadership in driving sustainable and impactful business practices. Her work not only enhances Equinix’s operational excellence but also contributes significantly to shaping a sustainable future for all. Thank you Jenny. We salute you!

Jeff Autor is a visionary guardian in the field of technology and systems management, serving as a Distinguished Technologist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). With a robust career spanning over 33 years at HPE, Jeff has been instrumental in shaping advanced manageability solutions across server, data center infrastructure, and remote management products.

A co-founder of the Redfish specification, Jeff has been a driving force behind this critical industry standard since 2014, advocating for modern RESTful-style protocols and user-friendly data models as co-Chair of the DMTF Redfish Forum. His work has not only streamlined systems management but also enhanced interoperability and simplified technology for countless organizations.

Jeff’s technical prowess is further highlighted by his contributions to the Open Compute Project, where he has actively participated since 2013. He’s made significant presentations at global OCP Summit events on topics including power and liquid cooling management, fault management, and Redfish Interoperability Profiles. His leadership extends further to the OCP Hardware Management subproject, where he is also a co-lead.

Holding 20 US patents, Jeff’s innovations have laid foundational technologies that underpin the management of HP’s server products, including HP BladeSystem, HP ProLiant, and HP iLO technologies.

Jeff’s profound impact and commitment to advancing technology management solutions have made him a respected and indispensable figure in the tech community. Thank you Jeff for all your contributions. We salute you!

Calvin Nicholson stands as a visionary guardian in the realm of IT and data center technologies, backed by nearly two decades of profound expertise in electrical engineering and an MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno. His career has spanned across critical facets of data center power systems, from groundbreaking software for power monitoring to innovative integrations and installations that have set industry benchmarks.

At Server Technology/Legrand, Calvin excelled in various leadership roles, overseeing product strategy and management for essential power distribution units (PDUs) and other related products. His pragmatic approach to simplifying complex problems has led to the issuance of over 20 patents, showcasing his ability to create unique solutions that cater to the needs of Fortune 500 companies, financial services, government, and entertainment sectors.

Calvin’s insights have also shaped the broader industry dialogue through numerous whitepapers and articles published in respected trade journals. He is a sought-after speaker at prestigious forums like Data Center Dynamics, AFCOM, and Gartner Conferences, where he shares his knowledge on critical topics like IoT, cloud solutions, AI infrastructure, and power efficiency.

A committed member of several industry organizations, including The Green Grid and iMasons, Calvin’s contributions have not only advanced technological integrations but have also promoted sustainable and efficient practices within the IT landscape. His enduring impact on the data center domain underscores his role as a guardian of technological innovation and efficiency, earning him widespread respect and recognition in the field.

Thank you Calvin for your dedication to technological advancement and efficiency. We salute you!

Yuval Bachar is a distinguished guardian of the data center industry, with an illustrious career marked by significant contributions and transformative innovations. As the Founder and CEO of EdgeCloudLink (ECL), Yuval is pioneering a new category in data centers by democratizing advanced technologies to provide zero-emission, off-grid colocation and edge solutions accessible to everyone. His work with ECL exemplifies his commitment to sustainable and innovative infrastructure.

His role as an Open19 Fellow with the Linux Foundation underscores his active engagement in advancing open-source data center technologies. His previous positions further highlight his impact across the tech industry. At Microsoft Azure, he focused on leveraging AI and Machine Learning for data center self-healing and maintenance. At LinkedIn, as a principal engineer, he was instrumental in scaling the company’s data centers, accommodating exponential growth in compute, storage, and network connectivity.

Earlier in his career, Yuval led Facebook’s data center networking hardware initiatives, introducing pioneering solutions like the Wedge and 6-Pack. His tenure at Cisco and Juniper Networks was marked by leadership in engineering and technology, driving next-generation innovations and high-end systems architecture.
Yuval’s influence is recognized globally, with accolades including being named among the top data center influencers in the Americas and a leading figure in edge computing. He is a vital contributor to PCI and several IEEE standards, holds eight US patents in data center and network system design, and has received three Cisco pioneer awards.

Yuval Bachar’s career is a testament to his vision and dedication, making him a true guardian of the future of data center technology.

Thank you Yuval for your ongoing contributions and visionary leadership in shaping a more connected and sustainable digital world. We salute you!

David McCall stands as a visionary figure in the data center space, bringing over 25 years of unwavering dedication to the IT and data center sectors. As VP of Innovation at QTS Data Centers, David’s role transcends traditional boundaries through his leadership in product and solution engineering, and his engaging presence as host of the QTS Experience podcast.

Known for his eloquent public speaking and deep commitment to the data center community, David advocates passionately for leveraging technology to benefit humanity. He envisions data centers not just as facilities for storing information but as vital resources that can nurture our planet and secure a sustainable future for the coming generations. His efforts are geared towards creating a thriving community that combines diverse perspectives in technology, from users to creators, fostering rich dialogue and shared experiences.

David’s approach is holistic—he sees the interconnectedness of our digital lives as an opportunity to drive significant, positive change. With a reputation built on charisma and a heartfelt commitment to innovation and community, David is recognized not only for his technical acumen but also for his unwavering dedication to using technology as a force for good in the world.

Thank you David for your ongoing contributions and inspirational leadership in shaping a more connected and sustainable future. We salute you!

Twin brothers Zachary and Jacob Smith are quintessential guardians of the digital frontier, jointly carving a unique path through the tech landscape while sharing a familial bond of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Zac, whose journey began with a childhood lawn-mowing enterprise alongside Jacob, has spent the last two decades perfecting the art of automating infrastructure platforms and building cloud experiences. His pivotal role in developing early Linux host Voxel and co-founding Packet has marked him as a key architect in cloud hosting, network automation and data centers. His leadership at Equinix as the Head of Edge Infrastructure further solidified his status as a luminary in the domain.

Jacob, combining his passion for digital infrastructure with a diverse background in creative marketing, co-founded Packet and orchestrated the development of its brand, developer & open source communities, and GTM machine. His leadership with industry partners — including Intel, AMD, NVIDIA and ARM — established Packet as a true industry innovator. At Equinix, Jacob worked to integrate and then scale “Metal” within Equinix’s global engine and spearheaded the company’s relationship with the developer and cloud native ecosystem.

Both inside and outside their tech endeavors, Zac and Jacob demonstrate a passion for community and creating new opportunities for others. From investing in and advising startups via their “Humans of the Internet (HOTI)” initiative, to rolling up their sleeves with dozens of community, social justice, and arts organizations.

Together, the Smith brothers exemplify a harmonious blend of business acuity, technological leadership, and community involvement. They are celebrated as guardians whose legacy is not just built on ones and zeros but also on the profound impact they have on the tech industry and the people who make it all happen.

Thank you, Zachary and Jacob, for your visionary contributions to digital infrastructure. We salute you!

Nabeel Mahmood is a vanguard in the tech landscape, renowned as a Technologist, Futurist, influential Board Member, and dynamic Keynote Speaker. Fueled by the pivotal question of “what’s next?”, Nabeel’s passion lies in harnessing technology for transformative and strategic advantage, while emphasizing the critical importance of digital leadership to forge the enterprises of tomorrow. He champions the philosophy of purposeful simplification in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Over two decades, Nabeel led major global tech companies through rapid growth, mergers, acquisitions, and international scale-ups. His expertise spans Big Data, Cloud, IoT, and Data Centers, showcasing a comprehensive command. An innovative spirit drives him to shape future enterprises with visionary zeal.

As a strategic foresight architect, Nabeel excels at identifying and utilizing the hidden potentials within new technologies. His influence extends beyond typical executive roles, reaching into boardrooms and advisory circles, where his wisdom shines in top-tier corporate environments. His advice acts as a guiding light for businesses, leading them towards future preparedness and inspiring innovative growth.

Amidst tech prowess, Nabeel Mahmood embodies giving back to foster community growth. His efforts uplift communities, champion causes, and drive social change through education, empowerment, and sustainable development. Nabeel’s philanthropy resonates compassion and empathy in society.

In the grand tapestry of technological evolution, Nabeel stands as a beacon of inspiration, a paragon of visionary leadership, and a harbinger of transformative change.

We salute you, Nabeel, you are a true titan of tech and a benevolent steward of humanity.

Rebecca Weekly’s passion for solving complex problems and driving execution with a team-first approach has established her as a formidable force in the world of digital infrastructure. Her readiness to embrace conflict, learn from being challenged, and her commitment to customer satisfaction are hallmarks of her leadership style.

As the VP of Platform and Infrastructure Engineering at GEICO, Rebecca is a guardian of the cloud, leading their ambitious hybrid cloud transformation. Her strategic vision was previously manifested at Cloudflare, where she led the automation of their expansive compute, network, storage, and AI systems in 300+ cities and 100+ countries delivering >20% of the world’s Internet traffic.

With an impressive tenure as President and Chairperson of the Open Compute Project, Rebecca has championed the scalability of hyperscale innovations, earning her recognition on Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Business Insider’s Cloudverse100 lists, alongside being named CloudGirls Trailblazer for her impact on women in technology.

Outside her transformative work in tech, Rebecca’s life is rich with creativity and leadership, from rocking as the lead singer of Sinister Dexter to expressing her artistry through dance and choreography. A devoted mother and an MIT alumna, Rebecca Weekly embodies the essence of a guardian—shaping the digital landscape while nurturing the growth of her team, her family, and the global community.

Thank you, Rebecca, for your outstanding leadership. We salute you!

Rob Coyle’s journey from a lineage rooted in construction to becoming an advocate for sustainable data centers reflects a fusion of tradition with cutting-edge innovation. His hands-on upbringing, paired with his education in aviation systems, ignited a passion for technology that led him to the data center industry. There, Rob recognized the urgent need for innovation and sustainability within these vital facilities.

Armed with expertise in mechanical and electrical systems, Rob has advanced his career by pioneering open-source, modular data center solutions, advocating for sustainability, accessibility, and cost-efficiency. His conviction in open infrastructure is a cornerstone of his vision for a greener future.

Rob’s belief in the transformative power of community and shared knowledge has been evident through his contributions and leadership at the Open Compute Project. Committed to empowering communities and driving significant progress, he focuses on dismantling technical barriers, thus allowing individuals and organizations to pursue their missions effectively.

Thank you, Rob, for your dedication to community empowerment and your relentless pursuit of breaking down barriers. Your work continues to inspire and enable a more sustainable, accessible, and efficient world. We salute you!

Dean Nelson stands as a paragon in the realm of global digital infrastructure, his career spanning over three decades is a chronicle of dedication and transformative leadership. As the driving force behind Cato Digital, he pioneers in delivering cost-efficient, carbon-neutral compute platforms, strategically positioned to meet contemporary needs.

As founder of Infrastructure Masons, Dean has led a community that’s vital to global infrastructure projects worth over $200 billion. His pioneering work at Uber, especially the Metal as a Service (MaaS) platform, has impacted services globally, from ridesharing to autonomous tech development. At eBay Inc., Dean significantly scaled digital platforms for a massive user base and was instrumental in the high-profile eBay-PayPal split.

Dean is acclaimed in the tech industry for his architectural and operational innovations, including the sustainability-focused Digital Service Efficiency (DSE) method. His influential work in data centers is driving a more efficient and connected digital future.

Thank you, Dean, for your exceptional service and for inspiring a legacy of progress and sustainability in the tech world. We salute you!

Navigating the vast and intricate domains of data centers, cloud, and digital infrastructure, Bill Kleyman emerges as a beacon of expertise and innovation. His accolades, including the global recognition by Onalytica Study for his pioneering contributions to cloud computing and data security, speak volumes of his leadership in the industry. With over a decade and a half devoted to cybersecurity, virtualization, and the data center sphere, Bill’s insights are not only profound but transformative.

His partnership with the Infrastructure Masons culminated in notable accolades such as the 2020 IM100 Award and the 2021 iMasons Education Champion Award, underscoring his relentless pursuit to diversify and enrich the digital infrastructure talent landscape. Bill isn’t just an industry analyst; he’s a visionary, guiding digital infrastructure teams to redefine the paradigms of data center design, cloud architecture, and security frameworks. As the esteemed Program Chair for the AFCOM Data Center World Conference and a contributing voice in leading digital infrastructure publications, Bill Kleyman stands tall as a guardian, shaping, protecting, and innovating the pillars of our digital world.

Thank you, Bill, for being an inspiring Guardian and trailblazer in our industry. Your legacy will undoubtedly echo for years to come. We salute you!

With a commendable legacy spanning over four decades in the IT industry, David Cappuccio stands as an emblematic Guardian of the Infrastructure. His esteemed 30-year tenure at Gartner, culminating as a Distinguished Analyst and VP, is a testament to his unmatched expertise and profound influence in the sector.

At Gartner, David didn’t just observe the transformation of IT; he led and shaped it. Managing diverse teams across domains like AppDev, Networking, Data Centers, and more, his leadership has been instrumental in steering both technology research and its practical application, managing organizations of varied scales and significant financial responsibilities. Nowadays, David shares his immense domain knowledge in various capacities, illuminating the path forward in an ever-evolving digital world. His unparalleled experience and dedication make him an undisputed Guardian, ensuring our digital infrastructures are not only robust but also future-ready.

David, thank you for your invaluable contributions to the industry. We salute you!

Ed Soo Hoo stands out as an inventive intellectual at Lenovo’s Field C Suite, where he bridges technology and enterprise to craft transformative business solutions.

With a special knack for navigating the dynamic realm of edge compute, data centers, and cloud, Ed aids leaders in harnessing fresh organizational capabilities.

His unique approach to operational models, grounded in a deep understanding of the “new normal”, is further elevated by smarter technology and design thinking principles. Thank you Ed for everything you do. We salute you!