Career Growth Advice from Jana Gerber, Energy Leader | Career Tips for Women in Energy

2B Bolder Podcast – Episode 110
Featuring Jana Gerber

Episode Title: #110 From Engineer to Executive: Jana Gerber’s Impact on Sustainability

Host: Mary Killelea
Guest: Jana Gerber



Mary Killelea (Host): Hi there. My name is Mary Killelea. Welcome to the To Be Bolder podcast, providing career insights for the next generation of women in business and tech. To Be Bolder was created out of my love for technology and marketing, my desire to bring together like-minded women, and my hope to be a great role model and source of inspiration for my two girls and other young women like you. Encouraging you guys to show up and to be bolder and to know that anything you guys dream of, it's totally possible. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

Hi, welcome to another episode of the To Be Bolder podcast, where we celebrate and learn from the stories of inspirational women who have succeeded in business and tech fields. I'm your host, Mary Killelea, and today we're very lucky to have with us Jana Gerber.

Jana Gerber, president of Microgrid North America, is responsible for growing the commercial micro-grid business in North America and supporting customers in their sustainability and resilience journey. In this role, she oversees go-to-market strategies and delivery for the North American region. Throughout her 20-year career at Schneider Electric, she has served as the principal of sustainability consulting and vice president of building segments for the strategic customers and segment organization. Jana supports her team in delivering tailored services to help customers' electrification efforts to build more resilient and sustainable operations. Jana graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in civil engineering. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and two children. Jana, thank you so much for being here. I'm so glad you're joining us today. Could you start by sharing a bit about your background and what initially drew you to pursue a career in the energy sector?

Jana Gerber (Guest): Yeah, I started really with the love of the environment, the built environment. So, I started off thinking a lot about architecture and looking at that as a career option and how to make these beautiful buildings and have a shared love for Frank Lloyd Wright and some of the early architect influences and so forth.

But as I really looked into it, it was not as much of the math side that I really was craving for a career. So, I actually started in civil engineering with a structural degree. So, I was helping to build buildings that were standing up inside of different hurricanes, winds, etc. And a few years into that role, I was like, okay, looking at my mentors and folks in the organization and wondering, is that really what I want? And I really wanted to be closer to the customer and those that were buying and building and making these decisions. So I found an opportunity with a company that did mechanical and electrical engineering. And I figured, well, I knew how buildings stood up, what could be the harm in figuring out how they work from the inside out. And that's what really I jumped into that role.

We did a lot around energy efficiency inside of buildings and how to help to define savings and help public institutions find ways through performance contracting to upgrade and define maintenance inside of their facilities. So that was kind of my first step into the energy sector. And it's just expanded and kind of gone exponentially from there. And I'm sure we'll get to some of those topics here as we go.

Mary Killelea: Well, you know, what's awesome about that? Well, there's a lot of things that's awesome about that. But one of the things is that you kind of said, you asked yourself, what do I like about this? And where do I see myself wanting to go? And you steered your career in that direction, which I think a lot of us tend to maybe one, not ask ourselves that or two, ignore those little holes that we feel. So, I love that. So, tell us what inspired you to join Schneider Electric?

Jana Gerber: Absolutely. So my joining Schneider was a little bit of a luck as well. So and that sometimes is how being in the right place at the right time or part of the right conversations, etc. So I, the company that I joined that was the mechanical electrical engineering firm, did this thing called performance contracting. And Schneider Electric at the time was looking to expand and grow in that space. And so we were actually the company that I was a part of was actually acquired by Schneider Electric back in 2004.

So all in all, I've been with Schneider Electric, I say 23 years, because I count the full time with the previous company as well. But it's been quite the journey with Schneider Electric, I'd say that they've been continuously evolving as a company as well and been able to be a part of, no longer being a bunch of separate companies, but how do we bring the entirety of Schneider Electric and the value to our customers. And one of the biggest things and most exciting things for me in the last couple years, and specifically, the last couple weeks, we were named as the most sustainable company in the world by Time Magazine and Statista. So, it's super exciting to see coming in at that point, way back in early 2000s, where Schneider is now as we really put the full force of the offer and the strength of who's part of Schneider Electric together.

Mary Killelea: Congratulations, that is in today's world so vital. That's quite the accomplishment. Can you describe your role and responsibilities as North American president? And I know we don't have three hours. So, you know.

Jana Gerber: Yeah, so I am the North American president of microgrids for Schneider Electric. And really, what a microgrid is, is putting in distributed energy resources, so other renewable ways inside at the building to help them to create more sustainable, better energy cost and more resiliency for their operation. So, we've done been in the business of microgrids for over 10 years. I've done we've done over 350 microgrids across the world.

In my role, I work with both the US, Canada, Mexico and Central America as the North American zone. And ultimately, I'm responsible for all the growth. So how do we understand what a microgrid is? What really will drive the growth and sales of that in into these markets? So, what's the right offer? What's the right go to market? What's the right sales approach? What's the right services installation, all the above, and then I dotted line into my global line of business that then helps to build the offer. So, we put forth, this is what we need for our market to be successful. And then they have the R&D and the offer development to help us build that.

Mary Killelea: And I love that, like what we're talking about today didn't exist 30 years ago or 20 years ago. So how you've been able to evolve on this innovative technology and category, if you will,. What do you think quality wise has helped you from a success because you had so much success over the years? What is that unique quality about adapting to new technologies and innovations?

Jana Gerber: Yeah, I think adaptation is a good way to say it. And really, for Schneider, if you think about microgrids as a whole, they've been, we've had microgrids around for a long time with very simple microgrids. So every hospital, if the power goes down, there needs to be a diesel generator there that pops on and allows for the operations of that hospital. And especially if you're one of the patients in the hospital, right? So, and that's been the same thing with data centers. But as you think about being more sustainable and really having leveraging some of the natural resources we have, that's where the renewable microgrids come into play or a more advanced microgrid to help us move forward.

So, as I think about my own qualities in the same question, I think it's really about the adaptability, like you said, being very collaborative. So, I think that we've had a value around the Schneider Electric world, which is about influence and convince, right? So, it's not just about I tell you what to do and you go do it. But how do I sitting on one side of the table and you sitting on the other side of the table really come to terms and understand each other's perspective and plot that direction forward? So, with microgrids and most all of the space that I've been in in my career has always been about not just a single siloed or a single offer, but how do you take multiple pieces and put it in a package that then allows the customer to get the outcomes that they're looking for and the value that they need from us. So that's been, those are some of the things collaboration, communication, adaptation, and really just working with people.

Mary Killelea: How have you approached developing your personal brand as a woman leader in this unique space and as a female leader, period? Are you intentional about it and what has worked for you and are you consciously kind of putting effort behind it?

Jana Gerber: Yeah, so I think that first every person needs to understand the criticality of a personal brand. It's no different than a company, it's no different than the decisions you make in your daily life and why, who you're going to pick up and call to go to the movie with. It's all those, it's who you have as friends, it's everything. So I think for me, it's been a lot.

There was a point that I was getting a lot of personal feedback from another business leader who I very much valued and I really started listening to what she was saying about my leadership and who I was and I heard her say, Jana gets results. And I was like, that's amazing. That's a great brand to have, right? I want to be the person who goes out and gets results. But if she sees it as me always getting the results, then I'm not actually growing myself in my career. So how do you kind of start to change that, that Jana is collaborative and a great leader and helps the company achieve results or help others achieve results. So, you know, just those little wording things and those signals that you get in those discussions is very critical and it helps you to say, well, why am I not getting to that next level? Well, because if everybody thinks I just do all the work, that's not going to help me get to that next, you know, VP director level, et cetera, instead of the company, I need to really work on some of these other elements to get there.

So, yeah, I think personal brands are critical and there's something that you need to listen for every day and the people that you work with and your customers and everybody to help yourself to grow and to be more successful and more valuable to the company and your be more valuable to the company.

Mary Killelea: I hope that the listeners understand what gold you just dropped because that is so vital to really, as far as advice, in my opinion, to take what other people are saying and then make sure that that's how you want to be portrayed. I mean, while even getting results is very positive, you dug deeper and I think I hope the listeners are hearing that they need to be the CEO of their own personal brand and listen and constantly evolve. I love that. Networking is crucial, obviously, in any career. What are some effective networking strategies that you've employed and how has it benefited you?

Jana Gerber: Networking is a funny word. So, a few years ago, I was asked by an internal organization or a team of people, hey, we want you to come and present and tell us about your career and all those things and talk about networking. When I got the request, it said the queen of networking and I almost cringed. I was like, oh no, do I really want to be known as the queen of networking? I think that as you think about networking, it can kind of come with some negative misconceptions. Is it really sincere? Am I really wanting to network and get to know other people? Am I doing it for my own personal good? Am I trying to manipulate somebody else?

It took me a little bit of time, but I really did grasp it and really dive into it and help to say that networking is about that continuous learning. So, when I thought back on my career and going to lunch, I make conscious efforts to reach out to folks and we go to lunch and we catch up about personal stuff, but then we can also talk about work. It's an opportunity to learn and again understand different people's perspectives of the business so that you can continue to evolve your own personal, your business or your own personal brand in certain situations as well. So, I think that networking is not just about being that self-serving piece, but that bi-directional collaborative and how do you learn from them but also help them learn from you?

Mary Killelea: I love that. I have interviewed over 100 women and the topic of confidence comes over and over and over. So I definitely want to touch on confidence and how it plays such a significant role in professional success. How did you build your confidence over the years and what advice do you have again for other women who are struggling with self-confidence because it's such a big issue?

Jana Gerber: Yeah, so in the last few years, you sit down at the end of every year and I write my performance review. Here's the things I did this last year. You told me that this was my goal. This is what I achieved and over the last few years I've had some mentors and also coaches who have said, okay, that's great. You need to do that, but sit back and actually say, what was different this year? What were some of the skills that I truly developed or built upon? So really thinking about it from your personal growth, not just your professional growth.

I've led a lot of teams through my career, but some of them have been smaller teams. Some of my last few roles have been where you actually have managers reporting to you, who have people reporting to them. So that ability to not only communicate directly to your leaders, but how to get that message casting to the broader team. So I think, I guess in confidence, it's about giving yourself credit for all the things that you're achieving. And it's not the goals and the professional aspects, but also those personal growth elements that you're gaining and adding to that tool belt of skills that you have. I think in a lot of cases too, we spend a lot of time on meetings or preparing for calls like this. It's that ability to say, just lean in and say, I've got this. I've done this. I can have this conversation. I just really need to center myself and be present in the moment.

Mary Killelea: I think what you said around you having mentors over the years and even seeking out coaches, I think most listeners have this perception once you reach a certain status in a corporation, like they got it all figured out. So, I love the fact that you say that you've sought coaches over the years. And I think women along their career path should be encouraged and prioritize that as well.

Jana Gerber: Yeah. I think that especially as you get further up, it can actually get more lonely in some ways in leadership. And so having a coach and I have an external executive coach that I've been working with for the last couple of years. And it's amazing for that confidence build, I think, to know that she'll share with me things about that she's seen in other people she's worked with, how other people have handled similar situations and just getting that kind of context and knowledge that you can do this. It has been done, but I'm going to do it my way, but I just got to go for it.

Mary Killelea: For those listening that are interested in building a career in sustainability and energy, what type of industry events should they attend or are there professional associations where they can learn more? And would you encourage that sector as one that is welcoming of women and also high growth for the future? I would assume it is, but I don't want to make assumptions.

Jana Gerber: Yeah. So for learning more about sustainability and microgrids overall, I think there's a lot of great organizations like Verge, there's different groups like RE Plus that we'll be going to later in this year that does renewable energy. And the plus is what the RE stands for. There's a lot of different online resources as well. So Schneider Electric has a website called Perspectives. Definitely check that out, a lot of great information there. For microgrids and other distributed energy resources, I would recommend things like microgrid knowledge or energy change makers.

And then there's some great podcasts, additional podcasts out there that listeners can listen to like Catalyst, which is produced by Latitude Media, the Energy Gang, or myself and my global counterpart were interviewed by the Interchange Recharged last year, which is also another great resource. So, there's a lot of great podcasts online and then obviously all sorts of industry events that you can go to.

Mary Killelea: I will make sure to include all of those in that list in my show notes so that someone who's listening doesn't have to replay five times to make sure they catch that. Okay, another thing that I've heard from women who listen, they want to develop leadership skills and they want to advance in their career, but they're not sure how to be considered for those leadership rules when their current role doesn't contain that type of activity in which to show off those skills. Any advice for someone in that position?

Jana Gerber: Yeah, I think that I think about it in the three E's and this is something Schneider taught me a long time ago, but Education, Exposure, and Experience. So as you're thinking about your career and where you want to develop, don't just think about it from the online tools and trainings that you can go to or even you know in-person trainings, but what exposure can help you add those skills or what kind of online or other experiences that you can do.

So, in some points in my career, I joined a lot of local associations and you asked about that as well. I was leading the healthcare segment and so I joined the Association of Medical Facility Professionals was the name of the association or being asked to be on boards or participate in other leadership opportunities. Those are great ways to get exposure not just in your day-to-day job, but outside.

And then I think the other piece is don't let others make assumptions about you. I applied for a job that was maybe not the job I really, really wanted, but I went in and it showed I wasn't prepared. I hadn't shared with them my experience. I just needed to do more and so for every other job that I've ever interviewed for, I send off pretty much an introduction to myself and focus on the development I've done, things, strengths I believe I have that will be applicable to the job, what I understand the job and the role requires, and then how I'm going to develop myself if I get the job. So, one of my favorites was during an interview, I knew that change management was a huge deal for the job and not something that's easily reflected inside of a resume. So, with each person I interviewed with, I said if you were to ask for somebody to be your mentor around change management, who do you think really does it well? And so, you know, that I got some consistent feedback on it and after I was got the job, I asked that person and I asked them if they would be my mentor because I needed some help and they were recommended and it's a great way to really, you know, I'm sure it made the person feel very strong that they were recognized for this in all my interviews as well. I think don't let others make assumptions about you. Tell them your experience and how you're going to be good at the job and what you're going to do to continue to develop.

Mary Killelea: I love those tips and I hear, you know, you really have to be proactive in your approach and steer your own destiny, which I love the consistency of that answer. Okay, so you've achieved a lot of success. Looking back over your career, is there anything in particular that like you're really proud of at this point?

Jana Gerber: Things that I'm most proud of are, you know, I've really remained consistent in where my passion has been. So, you know, we talked earlier about the fact that I wanted to be closer to the customer. I wanted to focus on that end user. I wanted to help them achieve their business objectives that will help them grow their business. And so really keeping focused on that element in my career and the choices I've, it's been a guiding light for me in the jobs I've taken and looked at as well.

And then I think the one that, you know, you get most proud of is the people that you've helped in their journey for finding new roles and growing themselves. So people I've mentored, people I've helped connect and find the right role for them in the area that they're passionate about. Those are some of the things that I'm definitely most proud of.

Mary Killelea: And what would you tell your 20 year old self?

Jana Gerber: I would tell my 20 year old self, never be cautious around learning and being curious. So ask questions, always wanting to learn more, finding those ways to do that. And, you know, it's kind of the, I don't think I took it from the name of the podcast, but being bold, right? Like, challenge yourself, push yourself outside of that, outside of your comfort zone. You're maybe not 100% ready for that job, but go interview for it. Like there's no harm in interviewing for the job and you'll learn a lot about what might be expected or where you want to further develop yourself that will help you with both your, you know, your personal brand and also your experience and skills. So I think be bold and be, you know, be bold and push yourself and follow your heart.

Mary Killelea: Okay. I think you totally answered my, my next question, which was, what do you think to be bolder means to you?

Jana Gerber: Yep. No, absolutely. I think that, yeah, it's challenging yourself and stepping outside of that comfort zone for sure.

Mary Killelea: Well, I love it. And I have a few fun questions for you just to wrap it up. Pizza or pasta?

Jana Gerber: Pizza. On the podcast when they listen, I like Canadian bacon and pineapple pizzas, my favorite, and my husband luckily does as well. So we're a match made in heaven.

Mary Killelea: I love that. Favorite season?

Jana Gerber: Summer, but not summer in Texas. Although summer in Texas is fine if you have a pool. So I will, you know, anytime you can be out by the beach or in a pool, that's my favorite for sure.

Mary Killelea: Beach or mountains?

Jana Gerber: Beach. I go to the pool in the summer answer. So I love the, seeing the expanse of the ocean and water. It is kind of ironic that I live in Dallas, Texas, which is pretty much a landlocked city. And very well, while we have some lakes, they're not exactly the lakes I grew up with in Washington state. So we'd have to travel a bit here and there to get to the beaches and to the fresh water.

Mary Killelea: Chocolate or vanilla?

Jana Gerber: Yeah. So I had to go different. I would say banana. I like banana milkshakes or fruit ice cream. Again, it goes back to the pizza question, I guess. I guess I'm a little bit of a fruit that way.

Mary Killelea: I love it. Coffee or tea?

Jana Gerber: Absolutely coffee. I need my vanilla latte. I told people, so I moved to Texas 16 years ago and it took a while because they needed to have enough Starbucks in the state of Texas to support my habits. So definitely coffee.

Mary Killelea: I love it. Okay. Dogs or cats?

Jana Gerber: Definitely dogs. So I grew up with dogs and then we have two English Bulldogs. So they're the very big kind of meaty dogs with the big underbites. And then often I'm actually in the office today so that you don't have to hear my dog snoring at my feet on the podcast. So they're very loud dogs as well. They do a lot of snoring.

Mary Killelea: Well, I might too. I can't thank you enough. I know we have your Aunt Carol to thank for our connection. But I did thoroughly enjoy this conversation with you. And I know you're an inspiration to a lot of women and the nuggets that you shared today really are meaningful that can help people kind of figure out their own path. So thank you very much. And I hope you have a great day.

Jana Gerber: Thank you so much. It's been really great to meet you, Mary and meet one of my aunt's friends.

Mary Killelea: Thanks for listening to the episode today. It was really fun chatting with my guests. If you liked our show, please like it and share it with your friends. If you want to learn what we're up to, please go check out our website at 2bbolder.com. That's the number 2 little bbolder.com.