From HR to team lead: A career journey into data center technologies
May 5, 2026
Morgan Prillaman did not expect to build a career in industrial technology. She loves to read and thought she would end up as an English teacher. She even worked as a beautician before venturing into HR. The common thread? A love for working with people.
“I loved the people aspect of manufacturing,” she says. “That’s what made me want to stay and learn more.”
After joining Munters in an HR role, a new opportunity opened up. Encouraged by her manager, Joy Johnston, Morgan stepped into a project coordinator role within the Data Center Technologies (DCT) business area.
“I thought, why not try something new? It was a big change, but I wanted to learn.”
Within two years, she progressed into a team lead role.
Leading in a fast-growing data center business
Today, Morgan leads a team of five project coordinators, supporting around 120 active data center projects.
Her team helps keep projects on track, coordinating shipments, managing invoicing, and ensuring clear communication between project managers and customers.
“There are a lot of moving parts, and communication is critical,” she says.
As demand for data center cooling solutions grows, so does the need to prioritize effectively.
“You have to understand what needs attention first and help your team focus on that.”
Building strong teams through communication and trust
For Morgan, leadership is about enabling others to succeed. She focuses on making sure her team has the information and support they need to move forward.
“What information do you need? What can I improve? Those are questions I ask often,” she explains.
A collaborative team culture is essential. With a high workload, team members rely on each other to stay on track.
“We know we can ask for help. That makes a big difference when things move fast.”
Mentorship has also played an important role in her journey. She credits Joy Johnston for creating opportunities to grow and providing continuous support.
“Joy challenged me and supported me at the same time. She created an environment where it’s okay to learn and even make mistakes,” Morgan says.
Supporting the future of data center technologies
Working in a fast-paced environment, Morgan focuses on performance, continuous learning, and consistency. Her approach is simple:
“You can’t convince people with words. You show them through your work.”
Adaptability has shaped her journey, from changing roles to stepping into leadership early in her career.
“I didn’t plan this path, but I’ve found that I truly enjoy taking on new challenges and growing with each change.”
Her work in data center technologies has also given her a clearer view of the industry’s scale and complexity. After visiting a live site, the impact became tangible.
“It’s hard to understand the scale until you see it. There are so many components working together.”
As digital infrastructure continues to expand, reliable and energy-efficient data center cooling becomes increasingly important. This is where Morgan and her team contribute, supporting solutions that help ensure performance and stability in critical environments.
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys home improvement projects, reading, and music. Her go-to song is “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
When asked what song could represent Munters, she smiles:
“Something like ABBA, global, positive, and familiar. The kind of song that connects people.”
Takeaway: Growth comes from moving forward—even with uncertainty
Morgan doesn’t describe herself as fearless, but as someone willing to take the next step, even when it feels uncertain.
“You don’t take away the nervousness. You just learn to work through it.”
For her, growth comes from staying open to change, exploring new opportunities, and being willing to try, without needing to have everything figured out from the start.
It’s an approach that has shaped her career and one she believes can open doors for others.
Her advice to future talents is simple:
“There are more opportunities than you might expect. You can start in one area and grow into something completely new and that’s what makes it truly exciting. You don’t have to have everything figured out, you just must be willing to take the next step and learn along the way.”
And while Munters might be compared to an ABBA song, global, positive, and connecting people, her own journey might best be captured by “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
A reminder that growth is about finding your place and moving towards it.
About Morgan
- Morgan works as a Team Lead in Project Coordination within Munters business area Data Center Technologies.
- Outside of work, she enjoys DIY projects, reading, and listening to music. Her favorite song is “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
- She is proud of her ability to adapt and take on new challenges.
Curious about working at Munters? Check out our careers section.
