Servant leadership is a vital trait that companies seek in leaders and their team members. It involves developing a culture of trust, diversity of thought, and an unselfish mindset, while prioritizing the success of others. Similarly, these are successful elements for athletes. Competitive sports offer the chance to build and strengthen these attributes.

Through competition, athletes learn self-discipline, the need to adapt to opportunities, and continued teamwork. Athletes are equipped with winning attitudes and a learning mindset - all critical traits for success in the corporate world.

Building a diverse and inclusive environment and valuing the strengths of our people, we create a culture of trust and mutual respect. We're empowering our employees to achieve their full potential and succeed as individuals and as a team. With that in mind, Equinix is dedicated to creating a culture that, at all levels, represents a range of perspectives, expertise, cultures, and backgrounds. This implies integrating Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) into every aspect of our corporate operations, with an emphasis on the hiring and talent-development procedures they use for all people, including retired athletes. 

Changing careers can be challenging, but as a result of years of mental and physical training, coaching and self-discipline, organizations that provide athletes with resources or opportunities often gain from their unique blend of qualities. This initiative was a huge success for Equinix, and we expanded our efforts in hiring former athletes across the globe. 

Meghan Musnicki, Marilyn Okoro, and Danielle Brown joined Equinix after transitioning from their sports careers. They were able to apply their critical skills for success as athletes into the working world. Sports taught them about drive, dedication and perseverance, and it taught them how to work with a team and the importance of communication.  

While Meghan Musnicki recently departed Equinix to return to competitive rowing, her lasting legacy still impacts the Talent Acquisition team. “Everybody at Equinix was incredibly helpful, patient and friendly. That made the job transition a lot easier,” said Meghan. Her robust support system at Equinix cheered her on every step of the way when she decided to return to USRowing in 2024. Meghan continues to be a champion for Equinix within the USRowing team, and we’re proud to support her on every step of her career journey.  

When asked about her experience working at Equinix, Marylin Okoro said, “I am proud of the difference we are making under the DIB space, because this is making a huge impact and changing generations of patterns for many of our young talent joining the workforce. I am also proud to be advocating for athletes and to have been able to support the recruitment of three fellow athletes since I joined.”  

“The role looks challenging and interesting, and I can’t wait to get started. What excites me the most, though, are the people. Through the interview process and doing research, I’ve heard such wonderful things about the culture of Equinix and how important its values are. If you’re in an environment that helps you grow and focuses on winning as a team, I truly believe that you can achieve some incredible things,” said Danielle Brown when asked about her excitement about joining Equinix. 

At Equinix, we continue to identify new channels to connect underrepresented communities to meaningful opportunities. We aim to offer the opportunity to reskill talent, helping them to develop new capabilities, engage them back into the workplace, and take on new jobs in the technology industry.  

Athletes may sometimes face obstacles while transitioning from their sports career to a corporate one. We believe that with the right guidance and support, anyone can reach their full potential. To help new hires have the best start, we have a comprehensive and robust onboarding program that ensures a smooth transition. Talent is everywhere, and everyone deserves an opportunity to reach their maximum potential.