Mission Critical is excited to introduce you to the 2024 Top 25 Women in Technology. Meet Kelley Mullick.
Title: Vice President of Technology Advancement and Alliances
Company: Iceotope
Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry; master’s degree in chemical engineering; PhD in chemical engineering
Organizational affiliations: Director of Technical Content for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Modeling and Simulations board; serves the OCP community in the immersion fluids requirements and standards body; and cofounded the Portland chapter of UPWARD.
Achievements/awards: 2022 Intel Premier technical conference (DTTC) speaker; Intel 2021 Global Diversity and Inclusion Summit recipient for Data Platforms Group (DPG) BU of the year; Ranked as the #1 diversity, equity, and inclusion leader to follow by Data Centre Magazine in 2023; Recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Technology for 2023 by Women We Admire; Intel 2021 Corporate Quality Award; Nominated in 2016 and 2017 by an Intel VP for a Society of Women’s Engineers national award; Semi Finalist for IMEC (Intel Manufacturing Excellence Conference) for Innovation; Recognized by cross-divisional business units at Intel for multiple divisional awards; Recipient at the 2006 AICHE national conference for excellence in leading a local section.
What made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in technology?
I’m a lifelong learner and a technologist at heart. From an early age, I had a strong affinity for STEM subjects, which led me to pursue a degree in chemistry, and later a master’s and Ph.D. in chemical engineering. My professional journey has been a result of my passion for STEM, problem-solving and my desire to make a tangible impact on the world through sustainability.
What inspires you to do what you do?
At Iceotope, we are at the forefront of cutting-edge technological breakthroughs in Precision Liquid Cooling (PLC), and I’m deeply passionate about our mission. Our work contributes to a more sustainable and resilient world, which is essential in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.
Initially, I was inspired to join Iceotope after seeing the technology because I truly believe they have the best cooling solution in the market in terms of serviceability, scalability, and sustainability. I’m inspired to aid in its wider adoption, which I believe will make a strong difference in the data center industry.
What role does sustainability play in your life?
There’s no doubt that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, directly impacting people’s lives and our planet’s future. Technology has a large role to play in creating a more sustainable future and over the past several years, I’ve focused on making sustainability and environmental engineering a cornerstone of my career. It’s important to me that my daily work contributes to creating and promoting sustainable technologies.
What is the most fascinating thing you have learned while working in this industry?
One of the most interesting and rewarding experiences I’ve had since beginning my career is my involvement in promoting women in marginalized communities within the engineering field, which is traditionally dominated by white males. It’s fascinating and encouraging to me to see the strides we can make just by creating better opportunities for members from underrepresented communities.
During my time at Intel, I was fortunate to work under a manager who shared my passion for encouraging women in STEM fields. Together, we embarked on a mission to break the glass ceiling for female executives and create opportunities for women in underrepresented communities through training.
The impact of the training program has been incredible. We provided this training to more than 3,000 women, and it’s heartening to hear their stories and see how it has positively affected their careers.
What’s something unique about you personally?
I’m an avid reader and a big believer in the power of allocating time for activities that bring joy. For at least two hours every weekend, you can find me with my nose buried in a book.
What’s something unique about you professionally?
As the Product Management and Strategy Leader for Intel's Datacenter and AI Group I helped develop two patents: one that delivered up to 60% CPU cycle savings and another that delivered a patented software system to prioritize and resolve customer complaints with limited resources using AI training, resulting in a new revenue stream of ~$60M. Alongside a great team, I also developed Intel’s first immersion cooling warranty, which was announced at the 2022 Open Compute Project (OCP).
What’s your most admirable quality?
I truly believe in the value of kindness. My approach to leadership is rooted in consideration for my team members, and I strive to be somebody who can use my skills to help others advance in their careers.
Why is diversity, equality, and inclusion important to you?
For 25-30 years, women have made up about 20% of engineering graduate classes, at best, even though women make up approximately 50% of the U.S. population. I want to see those numbers improve and see more barriers removed that hinder upward movement for women and minorities in STEM fields. As a mother of two daughters and a member of an underrepresented group in my field, diversity, equality and inclusion are extremely important to me, and something I focus on fostering through my work with various boards and organizations.
What aspect of the industry do you think has the most potential for growth, and, on the other hand, which aspect do you think needs the most improvement?
AI has the potential to revolutionize our approach to climate change by helping us analyze data, optimize resource allocation, and develop innovative solutions for reducing emissions and mitigating environmental damage. Harnessing the capabilities of AI for the greater good could be a game-changer in the battle against climate change.
When you imagine the future of the technology industry, what does it look like?
When I imagine the future of the technology industry, I see more women and minorities in leading roles, greater focus on embracing eco-friendly technologies and policies and practices that prioritize the role of technology in creating a more sustainable future. Together, we can address climate change and safeguard our planet for future generations, and our work is just getting started.
