Welcome to the next edition of Leadership Matters where we ask leaders around the Pacific Zone for their insights and advice about leadership matters to support our continuing journey of personal and professional development.
In this edition, we hear from General Manager Building Enterprise Software Jenana Roper, who is responsible for the IoT, analytics, enterprise software, OT cybersecurity, and technology consulting business in this zone. In her current role, Jenana leads teams to successfully support enterprise customers with their digital transformation ambitions to drive efficiency and sustainability across the full asset lifecycle.
Jenana has more than 20 years’ experience in the built environment and technology sectors in consulting, business advisory, commercial, and transformational roles – across large multi-national corporations to small software startup environments. She is passionate about using technology as a strategic enabler for a secure and sustainable business future, business innovation, and a powerful lever for accelerating climate action in the built environment.
What motivates and excites you about your role at Schneider Electric?
As the leader of Schneider Electric's Digital Solutions & Enterprise Software business in the Pacific, I am excited about my pivotal role in driving innovation and sustainability through digitalisation in the built environment. I am deeply committed to empowering our customers to maximise the value of their assets, fast-track their digital transformation efforts, and achieve their sustainability goals through smart building technology.
Ultimately, being part of a transformation that shapes inspiring, high-performing, and sustainable built environments is what truly drives and excites me about my role at Schneider Electric.
We’re one of the leading companies in the world when it comes to sustainability. How are you and your team contributing to this?
I'm proud to contribute to Schneider Electric's sustainability leadership by focusing on creating smarter, more sustainable, resilient, hyper-efficient, and people-centric buildings through digitalisation.
With buildings responsible for 30% of global energy consumption and nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, the urgency to develop resilient and sustainable buildings, and make the most of our energy and resources, has never been greater. By embracing widespread electrification and integrating more renewable sources for electricity generation, we're actively driving the built environment towards a greener future.
When it comes to existing buildings, Schneider Electric’s products are installed in over a million buildings globally, including half of all hospitals worldwide, giving us significant influence and ability to make a positive impact on the built environment today. By applying analytics, AI, and other smart building technologies, we can turn existing buildings into data-powered, hyper-efficient, sustainable smart buildings of the future.
Through technology, we also have the power to rethink how future buildings are designed, constructed, and operated, enhancing efficiency, conserving resources, and reducing carbon emissions.
My team, together with our customers, is making this a reality by using technology to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly built environment.
Of the customers you’re working with currently, what are they doing to be an #ImpactMaker in the market in which they’re operating?
All the customers that we work with are truly embodying the role of #ImpactMakers in their respective markets. They are actively driving digital transformation and digitalisation of their assets to achieve a more resilient, electric, and net-zero world. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, they are turning their sustainability ambitions into impactful actions. Through their commitment to decarbonisation and energy efficiency, they are shaping a secure, reliable, and sustainable future for generations to come. Their dedication to impactful change aligns closely with Schneider Electric's mission, and we are fully committed to supporting them in this journey toward a more sustainable world.
What was a moment in your career that was pivotal or changed you in some way?
I have had many pivotal moments that shaped my professional journey. One such moment occurred several years ago. After dedicating over a decade to a company I deeply admired, where I had an extremely successful career with continuous growth opportunities, deeply admired the leadership, and cherished my time there, I took a break for maternity leave.
This pause allowed me to contemplate my career trajectory and realise my ambitions for broader horizons and fresh learning experiences in different industries. Seizing the opportunity a close friend presented to me, I took a leap of faith and joined a small software startup. This decision, proved to be a transformative career move that eventually led me to Schneider Electric. The experience instilled in me the courage to embrace unexpected opportunities, the willingness to take calculated risks, and the openness to new possibilities.
Other notable pivotal moments occurred on a few occasions throughout my career, when highly regarded senior leaders recognised untapped potential in me and facilitated my transition into more senior management roles. Their belief in my abilities and the doors they opened redefined my career trajectory, demonstrating to me the profound impact of a supportive leader's encouragement. These pivotal moments have taught me the value of courage, seizing opportunities, and the influential role that leaders play in empowering their teams.
My advice to other senior leaders is to never underestimate the transformative power of your belief in others and your ability to help shape their professional journey.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
I have always been a risk-taker, so my first advice is one that has personally served me well. Never be afraid to take risks, and always embrace the opportunities that come your way. When a great opportunity comes your way, don’t hesitate, grab it. Say yes and figure out the rest later. And remember that doing nothing is one of the biggest risks out there, because you are guaranteed to miss out on opportunities. This advice is as much relevant in your career, as your personal life.
My second piece of advice is one I was given, which is don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. This is a great way of creating opportunities for yourself, instead of passively waiting for them to come by. You tend to get what you ask for, so voice your ambitions and be clear in your ask. Leaders around you are mostly great people who want to see you do well and succeed, and they will help you reach your goals. But to do that, they need to know what you’re aiming for - so be clear about what that is and speak to it.
Which of our company values resonates with you most and why?
I would have to say ‘Curiosity’ resonates with me the most because it serves as the bedrock of innovation and growth. By asking the right questions to gain a deeper understanding of challenges, thinking deeply and differently, assessing different perspectives and ideas, and consistently challenging the status quo, curiosity paves the way for continuous learning and improvement. It is this spirit of inquiry and curiosity that propels both personal and organizational development, driving us to explore new frontiers, new solutions and embrace change.