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.
Extending The Ladder with Nancy Novak
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20 episodes
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Podcast Overview
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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Publishing Since
4/26/2021
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Recent Episodes
November 18, 2025
Building Safe Spaces and Strong Futures
<p>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.<br> <br>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Timestamped Overview</strong><br>00:00 Unexpected Friendships Keegan's Story<br>04:31 Empowering Through Community Spaces<br>09:29 Mutual growth through connection<br>12:22 Start with a Club Tour<br>16:42 From trouble to classroom helper<br>20:06 Empowering Parenting and Discipline Approaches<br>23:56 Youth success story summary<br>25:15 Actionable Takeaways for Education<br>29:20 Get outside less screen time<br>31:16 Transformative Stories and Action</p>
October 10, 2024
Championing Mental Health with Frontline Leadership
<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Timestamped Overview:</strong><br>00:00 Transitioned careers, leveraging social science background, aligned perfectly.<br>05:26 Frontline supervision crucial for industry-wide safety improvement.<br>07:00 Prioritize introspection for improved outcomes, emphasizing humility.<br>10:44 Reflecting on support needs for time management.<br>16:25 Gender-neutral term can reduce construction industry stigma.<br>20:09 Encourage industry appreciation to attract skilled trades.<br>22:28 Encourage others to promote industry innovation enthusiastically.<br>25:31 AI enhances safety in construction with alerts.<br>29:32 Excited by program's industry impact and feedback received.</p>
September 17, 2024
From Classroom to Career: Women Engineers Shaping the Industry
<p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br><strong>Timestamped Overview:</strong><br>00:00 Lucky high school exposure leads to career.<br>06:09 Striving for authenticity and building genuine connections.<br>07:04 Personal connections improve professional relationships and support.<br>10:23 Thriving, diverse perspective, funny Marine Corps dad.<br>16:09 "Conversations about women in workforce are crucial."<br>17:53 Challenges in bringing women together for networking.<br>22:31 Promoting awareness and action against bias and discrimination.<br>25:06 Belonging and potential are key to success.</p>
20 total episodes available
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- What is Extending The Ladder with Nancy Novak?
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This podcast updates weekly.
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