Driving Diversity from Within: Kao Data’s Kalay Moodley
Women make up roughly 10% of the global data centre workforce – a figure that has remained almost unchanged since 2018. While the industry is starting to become more diverse, there is still more to be done.
On this subject, we hear from Kalay Moodley, Chief People Officer at Kao Data, on the subject. Her role is to shape and lead the company’s people strategy to ensure its workplace culture reflects diversity, inclusion and long-term sustainability values.
“I'm passionate about creating an environment where our team can thrive, develop and bring their whole, authentic selves to work,” she says. “I firmly believe it's people, not just critical infrastructure like data centres, that power innovation.”
Kalay shares her insights exclusively with Data Centre Magazine.
How can the data centre industry employ more women and diversify its workforce?
If the data centre industry is to meet the demands of our increasingly digital world, it needs to expand its talent pool and that means embracing diversity – not just in gender, but in personal experience and background.
Employing more women, first of all, starts with visibility, showing that there is no single path into this sector. Over the last year at Kao Data, 50% of our new hires were women who either came from the sector or complimentary sectors.
We must move beyond traditional pipelines and create new entry points for women at every stage of their careers. From rethinking how we design job roles and pathways, to removing unnecessary barriers, it's about actively creating environments where women don't just enter the industry but remain and thrive.
What is Kao Data doing to get women and young girls interested in the data centre industry and STEM?
Through campaigns like Critical Careers: Women in Digital Infrastructure, Kao Data is putting a spotlight on genuinely inspiring stories from women shaping our industry. These are not just profiles, they're powerful and real examples of what's possible and they play a vital role in showing young women that they belong in STEM.
"We must move beyond traditional pipelines and create new entry points for women at every stage of their careers."
Beyond this critical storytelling, we're actively engaging with community partners and supporting education programmes that introduce digital infrastructure careers at an earlier stage.
By embedding STEM pathways in schools and creating opportunities for mentorship and early exposure, we're helping open doors to the next generation.
What groups or initiatives would you recommend for women looking to build a career in the data centre industry?
Several fantastic groups and initiatives support women working in or exploring careers in digital infrastructure.
One I’d particularly highlight is FWD (Forum for Women in Data Centres), which began as a small group of women who recognised the need for a dedicated space to share experiences, build connections and support one another. It has grown into a vibrant community that welcomes women in data centres at all stages of their careers, not just senior leaders. It provides an accessible platform for mentorship, discussion and development.
Beyond this, several mentoring networks, STEM ambassador programmes and events are tailored to increasing visibility and confidence among women in technical and operational roles.
At Kao Data, we truly see initiatives like Critical Careers as a vital part of this ecosystem. By capturing and sharing women's lived experiences across different backgrounds and job functions, we're helping to normalise these career paths and inspire others to see themselves in the sector.
What matters most is finding a space that feels both supportive and empowering. Whether that's a formal industry group or a network within your own company, these connections often serve as the catalyst for professional growth, personal confidence and long-term success.
If the data centre industry diversifies itself, what do you foresee the impact being?
If the data centre industry truly embraces diversity across gender, race, background and thought, the impact will be transformative.
At its core, digital infrastructure is about solving complex, evolving technical challenges. To do that effectively, we need a workforce that reflects the diversity of the world we serve. When you bring together people with different experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking, you unlock more innovative, creative and resilient solutions.
Diversity also drives stronger commercial outcomes. Inclusive and representative teams tend to make better decisions, foster more collaborative environments and adapt quickly to change.
As we face increasing demands around sustainability, energy efficiency and technological evolution, those qualities aren't just nice to have. They are business-critical.
“When you bring together people with different experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking, you unlock more innovative, creative and resilient solutions.”
Beyond business, the human impact is just as powerful. A more diverse data centre industry means more opportunities for underrepresented talent. It means building a culture where people feel they belong and success isn't determined by how closely someone fits a legacy mould.
Through the Critical Careers initiative, we've seen that there's no single route into this sector and no one 'type' of person who belongs here. By championing genuine inclusion and equity, the data centre industry can not only meet the demands of the ever-evolving future but also help shape it in a more sustainable, ethical and empowering way.
Explore the latest edition of Data Centre Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Tech & AI LIVE and Data Centre LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today
Data Centre Magazine is a BizClik brand