Her Story
About Chrissy
Chrissy Olsen is an award-winning sales and leadership executive with more than 30 years of experience in the technology infrastructure, data center, and mission-critical industries. Currently serving as Vice President of Critical Power Solutions at MPI Energy, she focuses on advancing next-generation energy storage solutions, including battery energy storage systems (BESS) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technologies that support hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centers. Her expertise lies at the intersection of critical power, data center infrastructure, business development, and strategic sales, helping organizations build resilient and future-ready environments.
Chrissy began her career in software sales, representing Novell software across the Pacific Northwest, where she built a strong network of technology professionals and industry relationships. A customer relationship led her into the low-voltage cabling and commercial construction industry, launching a career that eventually included founding her own consulting firm and holding leadership roles with major technology infrastructure companies. Over the past 15–16 years, she has become a respected leader in the data center industry, driving global sales initiatives, developing go-to-market strategies, building strategic partnerships, and delivering multi-million-dollar business growth. Her previous roles include Global Director of Data Centers at Belden Inc. and Senior Manager of Global Multi-Tenant Data Centers at Wesco Anixter.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Chrissy is recognized for her ethical leadership, industry expertise, and commitment to developing others. She has served on the board of Infrastructure Masons for more than 10 years and is actively involved with organizations focused on women in mission-critical industries and data center workforce development. She is passionate about helping veterans transition into the data center field and empowering women to pursue careers in technology through mentorship, advocacy, and speaking engagements. Outside of work, Chrissy enjoys cooking, traveling, wine, and spending time with her family, including her two adult daughters and her beloved Chiweenie, Tommy. She considers her greatest achievement to be the global professional network she has built and the reputation she has earned as a trusted, knowledgeable, and influential leader in the mission-critical space.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chrissy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my motto: show up, follow up, and give your best. I believe consistency, genuine care, and going the extra mile are what build lasting relationships. By truly understanding my customers, their goals, and what motivates them, I have built customers for life based on trust. I believe people recognize when you genuinely care, and that commitment has helped me succeed in both my career and personal life.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to stay open to new opportunities, keep learning, and embrace change because it is a fast-moving field with many paths to explore. Your first role does not have to define your entire career—there are many opportunities to grow across areas like technology, data centers, sales, and marketing. Be confident, seek out mentors, and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance or introductions. Most importantly, own your voice in the room and share your ideas, because your perspective has value.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the industry right now is keeping up with the rapid growth and demand, especially with the expansion of AI data centers and the need to provide the equipment and infrastructure to support them. Another challenge is educating the public about the value and impact of data centers. I am passionate about advocating for our industry and helping people understand the role data centers play in everyday life. Beyond that, I believe it is important to own your voice, speak up professionally, and advocate for yourself, because no one will champion your growth better than you.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are trust, integrity, and being a reliable resource for others. I strive to make ethical decisions, support my firm’s best interests, and be someone people can count on—whether that means providing guidance, making connections, or simply pointing someone in the right direction. Personally, I value family, gratitude, and strong partnerships. I am incredibly grateful for my husband’s support throughout my career and for the opportunity to celebrate 35 years of marriage, as well as the pride and joy I have in my daughters.
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