At the latest Capstone Mentored Networking event, industry leaders Catriona Shearer, Global Head of Data Centre Consulting at JLL Data Centre Solutions; Wendy Crespo, Strategic Account Director at Global Switch and Co-Founder of the Forum for Women in Data Centres; and Alex Iveson, Relationship & BD Manager at InfraPartners and Capstone Mentor, reflected on the role networking has played in their careers, while offering practical, actionable advice for those looking to network with purpose. 

A strikingly human conversation quickly became apparent. Beyond the professional advice and industry insights, the panel acknowledged the nerves, the missteps and the vulnerability networking can uncover, along with the surprising power of simply showing up as yourself.

Authenticity is the Foundation of Connection 

All our panellists spoke of how vital authenticity is when networking. Catriona explained that genuine interactions, not polished personas or  “work avatars”, generally create the most meaningful relationships. 

“The connection that you make is the point of networking ” she said. “It's very difficult to make a connection if it's not you.” 

When you show up as yourself, follow-ups feel easier, conversations flow more naturally and the connections that form are long-lasting. 

Wendy agreed, reminding attendees that when you attend a networking event, everyone knows how to network. A lot of the pressure disappears, she said, when you accept that “everyone is human and the best thing is to come authentically; it’s less work that way.” 

Alex added that being remembered as a “genuinely nice person” and building relationships over time has been the reason why she’s never had to apply directly for a role. “What I put out into the world has come back tenfold and I've made an entire career out of that” she said.

Facing the Fear: Overcoming the Anxiety of Networking 

While authenticity is essential, it doesn’t erase feelings of nervousness, and our panel was quick to normalise this. 

Alex described her early networking experiences as “sea-of-faces panic,” particularly when walking into rooms dominated by men, something that many women can relate to. She also shared that “you don’t have to enjoy the discomfort to benefit from it.” 

Wendy also shared that her networking confidence was boosted after a thoughtful line manager encouraged her to attend events and connect with other women. She explained that this early nudge helped her move from feeling unknown to being an active participant within the industry. 

She then shared her tips for overcoming networking anxiety. She explained that she removes the stress by telling herself to “just meet a few people” and “don’t make your conversations all about work.” She also shared that bringing along a friend and making a simple plan for when you want to leave can create a “sense of safety and comfort.”  

Acknowledging that shared vulnerability doesn’t just reduce pressure, it actually opens the door to more authentic and memorable conversations.

Mentoring as a Catalyst for Growth 

The panellists emphasised that good mentoring isn’t about formal advice or rigid hierarchies, it’s about trust, space and honest conversation. 

Alex shared one of her mentoring experiences which involved supporting a woman returning from maternity leave who was finding the transition challenging. What made the biggest difference, she said, was being able to provide “a safe place to talk about anything.” 

Catriona reflected on the boundary between mentoring and coaching and how she feels the most important element is the  “connection with the person” and that “when I’m thinking as a mentor, I do much more listening rather than suggesting.”

Starting Early: Building Confidence Before It’s Needed

There’s a common assumption that you can only mentor others once you’ve accumulated enough experience, something our panel strongly disagreed with. 

You don’t need to be senior to be a mentor. Even those just starting out can mentor others through lived experience, whether it’s returning to work, navigating a new role or understanding the culture of an industry.  

Catriona said it best: “Anybody can learn something new from anybody.” Early exposure to mentoring, even before you feel ready, along with plenty of practise can help to build confidence and allows you to grow naturally into those roles, rather than being thrust into them.

Empowering Women: Building Visibility and Representation in Real Estate & Construction

The industry’s gender imbalance was a driving force behind several of the initiatives discussed during the session. 

Catriona shared the success of her panel practice series, which is designed specifically to prepare women for public speaking opportunities after she realised the  “lack of women on panels, on stage at data centre industry events.” 

The small-group format allows women to rehearse, build confidence, and receive coaching in a supportive environment.  

Wendy and Alex also spoke about their involvement in the Forum for Women in Data Centres (FWD). Both panellists shared their dislike for public speaking but credited the programme to building their confidence significantly. Alex explained: “You have to do the things, sit with that discomfort and grow from it.”

Representation matters, and these programmes are helping to shorten the time women wait for invitations to speak, create a pipeline of visible leaders and help to foster a community where women support each other.

Beyond the Panel

Having the right conversation at just the right moment can spark unexpected collaborations, create new career opportunities and foster lasting professional relationships. But to do this, you need to be human. 

Networking isn’t about working the room; mentoring isn’t about having all the answers and inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about authenticity, honest conversations, listening to one another and being uncomfortable but doing it anyway that will help to make the industry stronger, more diverse and more connected. 

Please contact us if you're interested in attending our next event or want to learn more about Capstone Mentored.