The data center industry in Indonesia has grown rapidly in recent years, creating new opportunities for talent from diverse backgrounds especially women. In a special episode of Nusantara Podcast Season 3, host Grace Inneke dives into the career journeys of two influential female leaders who have become key figures in this fast-growing sector:
Irene Johana Rosidi, VP Business & Product at NeutraDC, and
Fitri Hilman, Director & Head of Commercial and Industrial Services at Savills Indonesia.
They share how they entered an industry often perceived as technical and male-dominated, the challenges they encountered, and their perspectives on the growing role of women in shaping the future of Indonesia’s data center ecosystem.
Entering the Data Center Industry: A Path They Didn’t Expect
Neither Irene nor Fitri initially planned a career in the data center sector.
Irene Johana Rosidi
With 25+ years in finance and business strategy, Irene was assigned to lead NeutraDC’s business transformation in 2014—long before data centers gained popularity. She bridges business needs and infrastructure operations to ensure that services are market-ready and scalable.
Fitri Hilman
Coming from commercial & industrial real estate, Fitri shifted into data centers after the post-pandemic surge in digital infrastructure demand. She now works closely on:
- Land feasibility
- Utility readiness
- Infrastructure planning
- Commercial transaction structures
Both leaders prove that non-technical backgrounds can still contribute significantly to the technology sector.
Challenges in the Industry: Technical Demands & Gender Bias
As women entering a male-dominated and highly technical field, both leaders encountered significant challenges.
Key Challenges Faced by Irene Johana Rosidi
- Pivoting from finance into highly technical data center operations
- Managing a 24/7 operational team while balancing family responsibilities
- Navigating gender biases in the workplace
- Building foundational SOPs, operational frameworks, and readiness processes when the industry was still early-stage
- Continuous daily learning to close technical knowledge gaps
Key Challenges Faced by Fitri Hilman
- Navigating the complexity of site selection and land feasibility
- Working with external stakeholders such as local government, utility providers, and infrastructure partners
- Transitioning from traditional real estate into the technical requirements of data centers
Leadership Approaches: Empathy, Collaboration & Precision
Irene emphasizes the importance of operational discipline, attention to detail, and fostering a strong learning culture. She implements random checks, role rotations, and team-building approaches to ensure service reliability.
Fitri relies on cross-functional collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to translate technical requirements into business value. Soft skills such as empathy, negotiation, and contextual understanding play a major role in her success.
Both leaders agree that soft skills are a critical differentiator, and often a natural strength for women in the technology and data center landscape.
Shifting Gender Dynamics: From Stereotypes to Opportunities
While challenges remain, data centers in Indonesia are becoming more inclusive. Women bring strengths that align with industry needs:
- Strong attention to detail
- Empathy-driven leadership
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Effective communication & teamwork
With 24/7 operational precision required, many women excel and lead transformational roles.
Figure: Key Skill Sets Needed in the Data Center Industry — many of which align with strengths commonly demonstrated by women.
Career Opportunities: A Growing Industry Welcoming More Women
As Indonesia accelerates digital transformation, demand for skilled data center talent continues to surge. Both Irene and Fitri highlight:
- Wide-ranging roles available for women—from monitoring and analytics to project management and customer operations
- Increasing demand for talent with both technical and soft skills
- The need for more practical, hands-on training in education
The importance of industry–academy partnerships, such as Nusantara Vocational Academy, to develop job-ready talent
Advice for Women Aspiring to Join the Data Center Industry
Some key messages from Irene and Fitri include:
- “Be persistent and positive.”
- Use empathy and attention to detail as strengths.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions and keep learning.
- Build a strong professional network.
- Prepare yourself for opportunities—don’t just wait for them.
Conclusion: A More Inclusive Future Ahead
The stories of Irene Johana Rosidi and Fitri Hilman highlight the significant role women play in shaping the future of Indonesia’s data center industry. With a mix of technical adaptability, strong soft skills, and empathy-driven leadership, women are driving transformation in one of the country’s most strategic digital sectors.
Indonesia’s data center growth is not just expanding job opportunities—it is opening the door for more female leaders to step forward and reshape the technology landscape into one that is more inclusive, collaborative, and solution-oriented.
For more details, listen directly to the podcast on YouTube Nusantara Academy and don’t forget to register for training by contacting https://wa.me/6285176950083
