You know the saying: two heads are better than one. And, for Celia, the sentiment couldn’t be more true.
As Manager of EV Charging Solutions & Partners, Celia doesn’t just represent the Siemens electric vehicle charging business across the US. From start-ups to energy providers, she works with a number of partners to help lead the charge in the brave new world of future transport.
“Siemens is mostly a technology provider, and to find solutions for the electric vehicle charging industry, we need to compliment our own portfolio. For example, we will have a piece of technology that charges a vehicle, but we won’t have the specific software application that’s needed,” says Celia.
This is where partnerships come into the equation. “With lots of start-ups working on technology that can be used with Siemens’ devices, my focus is to find potential partners, approach them, and find ways to work together,” Celia explains.
Making electric vehicles a part of daily life is no mean feat. Companies like Siemens can provide the enormity of infrastructure and influence needed to make electrification goals a reality, however, Celia is also aware that the sometimes slow-moving, conservative nature of a large organization can present a challenge when it comes to identifying and executing new ideas. “You can get stuck in that cycle of monthly reporting and budgeting, and really just working in your own company and your internal job. But, to me, the fun starts when you get out there and you see what other people’s ideas are and where they really want to take them.”
Forging powerful partnerships
Working with small, ambitious companies can be crucial in terms of bringing a fresh and flexible perspective to a problem — like ensuring electric vehicles have access to a reliable energy source.
“Siemens is a powerhouse and we’re very big in the electrical industry, but there are times when we’re unable to develop at the pace at which things are moving. Start-ups are able to be faster,” says Celia. “Plus they often have ideas that someone at Siemens might not put on paper and present as a viable business case. But, in talking to them and working together, I always find elements that we actually can make work.”
Convincing a large organization to work with a nimble newcomer can be a tough task — and part of Celia’s job revolves around negotiating with different areas of Siemens to ensure new technologies can be adopted and improved by looking to the outside world. “It’s a challenge and it takes a lot of energy, no pun intended, to get this organization working at the speed we need to keep up with the market.”
But for Celia, it’s not just about getting products out in less time — working with start-ups allows her to totally broaden her remit and collaborate with some of the most exciting new technologies. “Siemens has really allowed me to stand on my own two feet and do my job by looking to people who have those big visions,” Celia explains, “I enjoy meeting people who have a really good idea and want to test the market to see if their idea will fly. This industry wouldn’t be where it is without those visionaries.”
Celia Dayagi is Manager of EV Charging Solutions & Partners based in Norcross, Atlanta. She has been at Siemens for 10 years, and is currently working on various projects to create and increase the uptake of electric vehicle chargers. Find out more about working at Siemens.
Photography: Fernando Decillis
Video: David Parker
