Marketing and communications consultant Joyce Wady on starting in Silicon Valley, taking a sabbatical that changed everything, and why the data centre industry is an unexpected secret for women.
This interview is part of our Women in Data Centres series for International Women's Day 2026. Subscribe to Data Centre Perspective for monthly industry insights and exclusive interviews.
Author: Lisa Scarlett, Lead Consultant at Eligo, Global Data Centre Projects
Joyce Wady has spent her entire career in tech marketing—from Silicon Valley startups to leading client services at a PR agency, and eventually into data centre communications.
Her entry into the sector came through helping launch Verne Global's first data centre campus in Iceland in 2012, where she told sustainability stories powered by 100% renewable energy.
But her biggest career turning point wasn't a promotion or new role—it was a two-year sabbatical that fundamentally changed how she approaches work.
Now consulting independently, she shares insights on leadership by example, the communications opportunity ahead for the industry, and why data centres have a wonderful secret: an incredibly supportive network of women.
From Silicon Valley to Iceland's Renewable-Powered Data Centres
Joyce's career in tech marketing began in Silicon Valley and evolved through agency life, where she thrived on variety and nimbleness.
"I loved the nimbleness of agency life and always having something new and different to do with clients," she recalls.
One of those clients brought her into the data centre industry—and it proved transformative.
In 2012, she helped Verne Global launch their first data centre campus in Iceland.
"The power grid in Iceland is built on 100% renewable energy and we were able to tell an incredible sustainability story from day one," she explains. "It was new, different and exciting, and I worked with some incredible people along the way."
It was her first exposure to an industry that would become her professional home—though not without an important detour first.
The Sabbatical That Changed Everything
When asked about her biggest career turning point, Joyce's answer surprises many: it was stepping away.
"My biggest career turning point was actually when I took a self-imposed sabbatical for about two years," she says.
After 10 years in the agency world, she was burnt out.
"My creative juices were not flowing anymore and I was not bringing my best self to work."
What started as a planned summer break turned into six months. Just as she was ready to re-enter the job market, life intervened: her family was moving from the US to the UK. That delayed her professional re-engagement for another 12 months as they built a new life in a new country.
But when she did return to work, everything had shifted.
"When I did re-engage, it was with a very different mindset. My top priority was working with people who shared the same business philosophy as I did. A close second was that it had to be interesting work. I've maintained that balance for the last seven years, and I'm enjoying my career more than I ever thought was possible."
It's a reminder that sometimes the most important career decisions involve knowing when to pause, recalibrate, and return with clearer priorities.
Leadership by Example and Transparent Communication
Joyce describes her leadership style as grounded in two principles: leading by example and transparent communication.
"I would definitely say I'm a lead by example kind of person. I would never ask someone to do something that I wasn't willing to do myself," she explains.
Communication matters deeply to her.
"I believe in being as transparent as I can. It's not always possible, but I don't really believe in gatekeeping."
It's an approach that values openness, trust, and mutual respect—qualities she sought deliberately when restructuring her career after her sabbatical.
Balance Through Self-Awareness
How does Joyce balance speed, resilience, and sustainability in high-pressure environments?
By paying close attention to her own signals.
"Paying attention to my body and mindset is key. I've learned what the clues are when I'm going too hard and not sitting in a place of balance," she says.
She's been down the road of imbalance before—it's part of what led to her sabbatical—and she knows where it leads.
"It just leads to not being productive in any facet of life."
One of the reasons she chose consulting was precisely this: better control over her time and workload. It's a deliberate structural choice that supports the balance she's learned she needs to do her best work.
The Communications Opportunity Ahead
Looking to the future, Joyce is energised by the moment the industry finds itself in.
"It's such an interesting time in this industry. It's growing so fast and we are in the midst of a technical evolution we haven't seen for decades," she says.
For communications professionals, the opportunity is significant.
"We have a huge opportunity ahead of us to explain the value of data centres and bring the public with us along the way."
It's not necessarily comfortable.
"For an industry that has historically sat in the shadows, it can be an uncomfortable place to be, but the opportunity to change perceptions is very exciting."
Joyce recognises that data centres are facing unprecedented scrutiny and public attention—and that creates both challenge and opportunity for those who can tell the story well.
The Industry's Best Kept Secret
For women considering opportunities in data centres, Joyce shares something she's discovered firsthand: the industry has a wonderful secret.
"One of the best kept secrets in this industry is the wonderful network of women that exists here," she says.
"Women feel accepted and supported by both their male and female colleagues. There is a genuine openness to help people learn and grow."
It's not just lip service. Someone recently told her that this is "an industry of abundance"—and that mindset genuinely opens up opportunities for everyone.
"No matter what your passion is, you can find a place to channel it in this industry."
For Joyce, who came to data centres through communications and sustainability storytelling, it's been true. And she believes it can be true for others willing to explore what the sector has to offer.
Finding Your Own Balance
Joyce's career is a reminder that success doesn't always look like relentless forward momentum. Sometimes it involves recognising burnout, taking a step back, and returning with different priorities.
Her decision to consult independently, to prioritise working with people who share her business philosophy, and to ensure the work remains interesting—these aren't compromises. They're deliberate choices that have allowed her to enjoy her career more than she thought possible.
As the data centre industry continues its rapid evolution and faces growing public attention, professionals like Joyce who can bridge technical complexity with compelling communication will be essential.
And for those wondering if there's space for them in this sector—whether in marketing, sustainability, operations, or leadership—her message is clear: there's room, there's support, and there's opportunity.
You just need to find the balance that works for you.
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π Read Irene Alonso's Spotlight on Career Transition and Leadership
π Read Concha Bibian Díaz's Spotlight on Collaborative Leadership and Design Innovation
This interview was brought together for our Women in Data Centres spotlight series for International Women’s Day 2026.
At Eligo, we work closely with data centre developers, operators, consultancies and contractors across the UK and Europe, supporting the growth of technical, design and delivery teams in one of the world’s fastest-moving sectors.
If this journey resonates with you, whether you’re building your team or considering your next move in the data centre industry, I'd love to start a conversation.
π© Clients: If you’re looking to strengthen your design or technical delivery capability, get in touch with me to discuss how we can support your hiring plans.
π Candidates: If you’re curious about opportunities in data centres or considering a transition into the sector, you can check out our latest data centre roles here and I'm always happy to share insights and guidance.