Critical Careers - Women Building Careers in Digital Infrastructure - Book - Page 50
Critical Careers
MID CAREER
How did you 昀椀rst discover digital
infrastructure, and what led you to the
role you’re in today?
Like many others, I found digital infrastructure completely by chance.
Oracle was my 昀椀rst role in the data centre industry. Before that, I’d
always worked in real estate and project management. My 昀椀rst job out
of university was with a family-owned baking company in the Philippines.
I led store expansions end-to-end which included identifying sites,
designing stores, overseeing build-outs, and running facilities. It was
very operational and very hands-on.
I later moved into corporate real estate with Colliers International,
focusing on transaction management for of昀椀ce leasing. When I saw the
role at Oracle, I recognised that the fundamentals of the role were the
same, but it was just a different product. Instead of of昀椀ces, it was
data centres.
During the interview process, what stood out was that I felt assessed on
my skills and experience, not on whether I already knew the industry.
My future manager saw that the fundamentals were there and that
was enough.
Lainey
Layawen
That early trust was critical for me. Knowing that my manager believed in
my capability made me even more eager to prove myself and embrace
learning what I didn’t know. Digital infrastructure was new to me, but the
skills were transferable. And because the industry is still relatively young,
I’ve found that it really values capability and mindset.
SITE SELECTION MANAGER, ORACLE CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE – EMEA & JAPAC | ORACLE
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