Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter
December 2025
Hi MGCI members!
As 2025 draws to an end, we would like to reflect and appreciate how far we’ve come as a community. Thank you to everyone around the world for being part of the MGCI initiative. We can’t wait to continue our activities together with you in 2026!
Let’s look back at a few of our recent highlights and take a peek at what’s coming up next year.
Women in Tech & Allies Lunch at ESPC
Thank you to Heather Cook, Karuana Gatimu, Laura Dark, and Danielle Moon for leading such an inspiring Women in Tech panel at ESPC in Dublin. The room was buzzing with energy, and we’re excited to bring more of these empowering conversations to community events in 2026. Thank you to HeuristicDev: The Mentoring Hub for sponsoring!
Happy Birthday SharePoint (in 2026)
Our communities came together in Dublin, Ireland for a pre-celebration of SharePoint’s 25th birthday. We hope you’ll share the love for SharePoint as we head toward the official milestone this March. Here’s to 25 years of innovation, collaboration, and shaping the digital workplace of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you to the SharePoint Community who started off the "Best Community in Tech".
Women in Tech & Allies at Microsoft Ignite
WOW - what incredible energy in the room! Thank you to Heather Cook, Femke Cornelissen, Isidora Katanic, Danielle Moon, and Karuana Gatimu for leading this inspiring panel at Microsoft Ignite last month. They delivered an engaging, interactive session - sharing personal stories about how they learn, lead, and succeed in tech - and answered powerful questions from the audience about becoming better allies.
MGCI Connection Pod at Microsoft Ignite
Helping MGCI grow around the world, Heather Cook (Microsoft) and Isidora Katanic (Board Member) led this connection pod at Microsoft Ignite. At a conference of this scale, it’s incredibly valuable to sit down with a small group and dive deep into how we can support each other and strengthen communities across the globe.
Congratulations, December MVPs!
On December 1st, Microsoft welcomed a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. We love to see this community growing - proof of the commitment out there to communities worldwide. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs!
Communitydays.org – your place to go for upcoming events
Curious to check out which events are happening in 2026? Event organizers include their community-driven events to www.communitydays.org – your one-stop shop for conferences and events.
M365 Community Event Organizer Feedback – submit now!
Are you organizing community events focused on Microsoft 365! Please help us understand what topics and resources would support you in planning and running even better events in the future. Submit your feedback here. Thank you!
Microsoft Global Community Initiative Resources
We’ve made it easy for you to find all the MGCI resources you need at your fingertips. This space features the PowerPoint decks from our Monthly General Sessions and Event Training Sessions & Office Hours as well as all MGCI Event Producer playbooks, checklists and templates.
Check out 2025 MGCI General Sessions
Missed any of our 2025 General Sessions? Check out all the recordings here.
Check out 2025 MGCI Event Trainings
Missed any of our 2025 Event Trainings? Catch up on ideas, tips and tricks shared by Event Organizers. Check out all the recordings here.
Join our next General Session on January 20th
We are excited to kick off the new year in our January MGCI General Session. Microsoft and our Board Members will present what’s happening in communities around you. Come join us for interactive chats:
📅 January 20th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM
📅 January 20th ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM
Happy Holidays
On behalf of everyone at MGCI, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays. We hope you enjoy this time with your loved ones reflecting on 2025 and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026.
Sincerely,
Your Board Officers
Microsoft