Maven of the Month
Alyson Freeman, Ph.D.
As Dell Technologies’ Customer Innovation Lead for Sustainability & ESG, Alyson Freeman plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s sustainability initiatives and connecting Dell customers with products, services and approaches to address their ESG challenges and opportunities. A Ph.D. materials scientist and engineer with a long and distinguished technical background, she brings a unique perspective and skillset to the intersection of sustainability and technology. The Maven Report recently caught up with the Spring 2024 Maven (6 steps to a sustainable data center) to learn more about her fascinating career trajectory and thoughts on the road ahead.
TMR: Tell us a little bit about your current role and how you got here.
AF: My current role involves meeting with customers about sustainability and getting what they need into the future roadmap for our products and services offerings. I’ve had a wide variety of jobs in the past, from research scientist, semiconductor manufacturing engineer, program manager, to leading data analytics teams and more. Each time I transitioned roles or companies, I was looking for something that had a greater purpose and impact while still using my technical skills. At one point, I ended up in a role that was centered around data center sustainability and loved it so much I told people that in my 40s, I’ve finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up and I plan continue working in the sustainability space going forward.
TMR: How does your engineering and research background influence your approach to ESG and sustainability leadership?
AF: There’s two main ways I see the impact – in an experimental research mindset and manufacturing influence. I find myself using my experimental science background to clearly lay out before and after impacts for sustainability improvements and make sure we are measuring the right things. And I’m sure that anyone that has worked in manufacturing facilities for as long as I have can’t ever get away from the urge to optimize processes. In my current role, I’m always looking for ways to do things in a more standardized, simplified manner, often using lean principles to minimize waste and maximize productivity. I find myself doing this outside of work too!
AF: My favorite part of my job is talking to customers. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds within your own company’s initiatives; and those connection points keep me headed in the right direction, making sure that everything we’re working on is meeting our customers’ needs. Plus, I’ve been able to meet some fabulous people that have given me advice and helped shaped my career along the way.
AF: I am most excited about how the tech itself can impact sustainability. As we enter the new AI era, I can’t wait to see the innovations that come related to applying artificial intelligence to optimize everything from energy grids to data center computing processes.
AF: Every engineer I know, even the most successful ones, had at least one class that they hated or were bad at. The important thing is to just keep focusing on the parts that you do love and keep moving forward. Resilience matters more than anything and responding positively to setbacks will get you where you want to go.
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