Meet Harpa Dögg Magnúsdóttir, PMO Project Coordinator, atNorth

Meet the Minds: The People of atNorth

Interview conducted by Bylgja Pálsdóttir, Senior Communications Manager

In this edition of Meet the Minds, we get to know Harpa Dögg Magnúsdóttir, PMO Project Coordinator at atNorth. From eco villages to data centers, Harpa shares how her career has evolved, what drives her, and why ‘dependable’ is more than just an atNorth company value for her, it’s a mindset.

Hello and welcome, Harpa – you are our fifth colleague to join Meet the Minds! We’re excited to hear more about you – tell me about yourself, your role and when you joined atNorth?

I joined atNorth on January 8th, 2024. And, the very next day, which so happened to be my 45th birthday, I was shocked (pleasantly!) when our unique and talented Arttu Ruismäki (Site Selection Manager based in Finland) stood up during our team dinner and sang a personal opera piece just for me. It was honestly the best beginning to a new job!
At atNorth, I work as a PMO Project Coordinator, supporting our development projects and teams with structure, documentation, data collection and a variety of other tasks. A big part of my focus right now is on the implementation and optimization of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to ensure we get the most out of the platform as we scale. In just one year, more than 500 members have started using the atNorth ACC environment – my role involves driving this adoption, setting up structure, and ensuring efficiency to support collaboration and consistency.

Tell me a bit about your career path – where it began and how it has changed since.

After completing my master’s in environmental engineering, I became involved in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and a range of sustainability-focused projects, alongside project management roles. From eco-village planning and consulting for the President’s office in Iceland to running my own businesses, I’ve continued to push myself and gain valuable knowledge.
These experiences gave me a strong foundation in project development and operations, and a real passion for building things with purpose. Now, being part of the data center world for the first time here at atNorth, I’ve been able to apply all of that in an entirely new way. I’ve gained deep insight into the full project lifecycle, and I’m excited to be working on truly sustainable infrastructure and operations.

What have been the most memorable moments of your career?

I’ve had many memorable moments over the years, but two really stand out.
The first is building a business from the ground up, which I did when I started an electronics store in 2021 with no budget, just creativity and hard work. Watching it grow from an idea to a fully functioning company with employees was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
The second was when I was offered my job at atNorth just before Christmas. Everything about it felt right: I love its Icelandic roots, and the Stockholm office is just five minutes from my home. I really connected with the company’s values and mission and had such a positive first impression. It felt like a moment when everything aligned and was meant to be.

If you could fast forward five years, where do you think you’d find your future self?

In five years, I see myself as a well-established, experienced member of the atNorth team, continuing to grow in my role while still having the freedom to explore the world during my holidays.
I’ve always been drawn to high mountains – just being near them brings me a deep sense of satisfaction. One of my personal goals is to travel through Asia and experience some of the world’s tallest peaks. And, I have set myself an ambitious goal to stand on top of Kilimanjaro in Africa, no later than five years from now!

What are you most looking forward to this year at atNorth?

There are two big things I’m excited about. The first is the projects handover at ICE02 and ICE03. I’ve been involved in this process and supporting our teams on both sites, so it will be very rewarding to see these projects come together and go live – both for our customers and internal teams.
The second is our company’s annual retreat in Finland. Last year’s retreat was so much fun, and I’m sure this year will be even better with more people joining. I really enjoy the Finnish culture – mainly their love of saunas, so I imagine it is going to be something special!

What atNorth value do you align with most, and why?

If I have to choose one, I’d say dependable because my heart is fully committed to atNorth’s success. Being dependable means being present, being consistent, and always doing your best to support the people around you. This is the mindset I try to bring to work every day.

What three words would you use to describe what it’s like to work at atNorth?

Growing, fun, and a real roller coaster ride.
With endless opportunities, a genuinely supportive and enjoyable culture, and fast-paced environment, every day feels like part of an adventure.