At the Nomad Futurist Foundation, we believe the best proof of impact comes from the people we reach.
Over the past year, Simon Allen, our Advisor and Director of Initiatives & Partnerships, has been building a strong and ongoing connection with Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading universities for climate, technology, and business.
It began last spring with an introduction to over 100 students in the MSc Climate Change, Management, and Finance programme — a group whose curiosity and global perspective perfectly align with the Nomad Futurist mission. In September, Simon invited 50 of these students to DCD>Connect | London, guiding them through the expo, introducing them to industry leaders, and hosting a dedicated session on careers in digital infrastructure.
Earlier this month, Simon returned to Imperial for another Careers with Consequence session to over 150 students, joined by industry veterans Mike Tobin, Julie Albright, and Gary Watson, to explore how digital infrastructure underpins sustainability, innovation, and the energy transition – and how young professionals can build meaningful careers in this space.
“The most effective way to engage and attract the next generation of talent is to go out and meet them where they are. Speaking at conferences to people already in the industry achieves little. Many young people simply don’t know that careers in digital infrastructure exist – once they do, their enthusiasm and curiosity are remarkable.” — Simon Allen.
And the reaction from students also spoke volumes:
💡 “I’m actively looking to pivot my career into the data center industry.”
💡 “I was very inspired by the discussion and more compelled than ever to be a part of the conscious building of the digital revolution’s infrastructure.”
💡 “I already re-watched the Bare Metal clip you showed yesterday… truly exciting stuff! I am so glad we got to connect, hopefully just the beginning!”
💡 “I would 100% love to be there for the next Data Center Tour.”
Simon’s ongoing engagement with Imperial College serves as a model for how industry advisors and educators can collaborate to cultivate future leaders. By bringing real-world examples, industry access, and purpose-driven conversations directly to the classroom, he continues to inspire students to see digital infrastructure not just as a career, but as a platform for positive global impact.
This partnership demonstrates what’s possible when the boundaries between education and industry are actively bridged — creating pathways for students to engage, learn, and contribute meaningfully to the world’s digital and environmental transformation.
Building on this connection, Simon now mentors eight students from Imperial College – incredibly smart, motivated individuals who represent the next wave of talent in digital infrastructure. Their questions, ideas, and ambition highlight the potential of this generation not only to build fulfilling and rewarding careers, but also to make a real positive impact on the future of our industry.
The work at Imperial shows what’s possible when we connect real-world experience with academic talent. By engaging students directly, we’re not only opening doors to inspiring career paths, but also helping shape a more sustainable and inclusive digital future. We invite anyone who shares this purpose to support Nomad Futurist, get involved, and experience first-hand how genuine engagement can make a lasting impact.
About Nomad Futurist:
The Nomad Futurist Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives. Our primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world and cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. Through the contributions of our supporters, we are launching global programs in partnership with a range of education providers, NGOs and other nonprofit organizations committed to educating children in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths.
- To learn more about the Nomad Futurist Foundation, please visit: www.nomadfuturist.org.
- To support the efforts of the Nomad Futurist Foundation, donations can be made here.
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