Mission Critical is excited to introduce you to the 2024 Top 25 Women in Technology. Meet Molly Bakewell Chamberlin.
Title: President and Principal Consultant
Company: Embassy Global, LLC
Age: 47
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing and modern language; the Harvard Business Analytics Program also recently accepted her
Organizational affiliations: The National Small Business Association Board of Trustees, Washington, D.C.; Program Ambassador, New York State Mentoring Program; Volunteer Entrepreneur Coach, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus IC Success Program; Volunteer Entrepreneur Coach, Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll); Women in Electronics; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; International Society of Automation
Achievements/awards: 2023 Merit Award Winner in Marketing + Communications - Bronze Medal for Best PR/Communications Agency; 2023 Nominee, Woman of Inspiration, Universal Women's Network of Canada; Featured as one of the "21 Remarkable Women of the 21st Century Actively Shaping the Future of STEM", Electronic Specifier, UK, November 2023; 2022 Finalist, NSBA Small Business Advocate of the Year; 2022 Nominee, InfoTech Western New York BETAS Award, Women in Tech Category; 2019, named one of the Top 50 People in Sensors Technology, Sensors Online; Four-time nominee, UK Electronics Industry Awards 2018-2021, Industry Personality of the Year, Most Outstanding PR Firm.
What made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in technology?
Honestly, it was all quite serendipitous. My background in modern languages and marketing caught the attention of a large multinational manufacturer of energy absorption, vibration isolation, and motion control technologies. They brought me on board as their global marketing services manager, marking the beginning of my career in technology and the industry. Over the years, I have developed my skills, experience, and appreciation for technology through a progressive series of in-house leadership roles within our sector. For the past 15 years, I've been a proud small business owner as Embassy Global's founder and principal consultant. In this role, I've supported the worldwide growth and diversification of over 200 industry brands.
What inspires you to do what you do?
Professionally, I'm most inspired by the transformative impact of the client work I've had the privilege of undertaking in this industry. Witnessing these brands' growth, transformation, and success is gratifying, especially knowing that these achievements will positively affect the lives of the employees at these companies and, ultimately, their families.
My inspiration also extends to a desire to give back through mentorship and philanthropy. When I began my career, mentorship programs were scarce. Navigating the professional landscape, especially for women, was not easy. It was a journey that I undertook mainly on my own. That experience and those lessons learned fuel my commitment to being the exact type of mentor, coach, and sounding board to others that I wish I had myself during certain pivotal life and career moments.
What role does sustainability play in your life?
Sustainability plays a vital role in my life, both personally and professionally. I am committed to making environmentally conscious choices, whether reducing the consumption of specific single-use plastics or minimizing energy consumption. I believe in the importance of individual responsibility in preserving our planet for future generations.
In the mission-critical industry, emphasizing sustainable solutions is an ethical best practice. I, therefore, strive to incorporate eco-friendly practices and advocate for environmentally responsible technologies within my business operations. This includes promoting energy-efficient practices, reducing waste, and considering the environmental impact of our products and services.
What is the most fascinating thing you have learned while working in this industry?
I appreciate that it's perhaps more philosophical than practical, but the most significant lesson I've discovered in the mission-critical industry is not to underestimate the unmatched value of hands-on experience. There's really just no substitute for it; there aren't any shortcuts to obtaining it, and it's only earned through persistent hard work and lessons learned over time. So much of this industry is highly nuanced. Experience is vital.
What’s something unique about you?
I live in a beautiful little town called Hamburg, New York. It's just south of Buffalo, 12 miles from the U.S./Canada border, reasonably close to the beach, and seemingly never far from the occasional Lake Effect snowstorm! Fun fact: I can actually see the Canadian shoreline from my home most of the time. On a personal note, I also adore wirefox terriers. I have a mother-daughter pair, and they bring a lot of joy and fun to my everyday life. The mother dog is actually from Dundalk, Ireland, an hour from where my late Grandmother was born and raised.
What’s something unique about you professionally?
I've been told that it's the 25-year career longevity that I've managed to achieve within an industry where women are traditionally so grossly underrepresented, as well as the fact that my firm, Embassy Global, is now celebrating its fifteenth year of successful operation. It's actually one of the first and only known 100% woman-owned and woman-led small businesses of its kind that is exclusively focused on this industry. Professionally, it's never been about sales pitches for me. It's been about making meaningful professional contributions to the growth of some great companies and ultimately helping people and their families.
What’s your most admirable quality?
I believe it's my resilience. Life and work present many challenges for all of us. I've learned to navigate them as best I can through faith, hard work, integrity, and perseverance. Additionally, I'd say that beyond my work, I am known for my empathy, kindness, and genuine care for the success of my clients, their families, and the industry. It's not about personal achievements but rather about contributing positively and making a meaningful impact in the lives of those with whom I work.
Why is diversity, equality, and inclusion important to you?
Ultimately, embracing diversity, equality, and inclusion means a commitment to ethical principles. It is also a strategic imperative for driving innovation and success in the mission-critical sector. Fostering diversity ensures a breadth of perspectives and ideas, which helps drive further industry innovation. Each individual, regardless of gender or background, brings unique potential and experience that can help contribute to a stronger and more creative working environment. Secondly, equality is fundamental for creating a fair playing field where individuals are recognized and rewarded based on their skills, capabilities, and contributions rather than gender or other demographic factors. It promotes a workplace culture that values meritocracy and empowers everyone to reach their full potential.
Lastly, inclusion is essential for building a supportive and collaborative community. When individuals from diverse backgrounds feel included and valued, productivity and morale are enhanced. As a woman in tech and as a female founder, I recognize the importance of creating an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the broader community and serves as a catalyst for positive change within the mission-critical industry.
What aspect of the industry do you think has the most growth potential, and which part do you feel needs the most improvement?
As the industry's reliance on digital infrastructure increases, mission-critical systems security and uninterrupted operations become paramount. I believe that cybersecurity and data security may, therefore, hold the most growth potential, including but not limited to advanced encryption, secure communications, and disaster recovery solutions. On the flip side, I believe the industry needs to improve its integrations of sustainable practices, including but not limited to more proactively addressing potential environmental concerns, as well as ensuring further optimizations of data center and critical infrastructure energy efficiencies.
When you imagine the industry's future, what does it look like?
When envisioning the industry's future, I believe that, despite the incredible potential of AI, automation, and other cutting-edge technologies, the human touch remains irreplaceable in terms of creativity, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. Therefore, I foresee a symbiotic relationship between technology and humanity as we embrace the future. Humans will adapt to these innovations and harness them to address complex challenges and drive positive change. The collaborative efforts of industry professionals, along with the ethical considerations and empathy humans bring, will be integral to shaping a technologically advanced yet responsible and inclusive technology landscape.
