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MGCI Newsletter Late April / Early May 2026

Jennifer-Mason — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:06:31 GMT

Hi MGCI Members!

As April wraps up, we’re energized by another strong MGCI General Session and the continued momentum we’re seeing across global community events. From student-led innovation to Copilot-focused learning and large-scale community-led conferences, there are more ways than ever to learn, connect, and participate.

Let’s take a look at what just happened and what’s coming up next.

✅ Recently Wrapped: MGCI Monthly General Session

Microsoft Global Community Initiative General Session – April 2026
Topic: Microsoft Student Ambassadors Program
Host: Heather Cook
Guest Speaker: Tracey Salem, Sr. Learning Manager, Global Skilling, Microsoft

This month’s session spotlighted the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program, a global community of students learning, building, and leading with Microsoft cloud and AI technologies. Tracey Salem shared fresh perspectives on how Student Ambassadors are bringing real energy into the ecosystem, from campus innovation to grassroots community engagement.

If you missed the session live, recordings will be available on demand through the MGCI learning hub.

Join the conversation & access sessions:

- - Live and on demand: https://aka.ms/community/learning
  - MGCI updates & reminders: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP
  - Learn more about MGCI: https://aka.ms/MGCI

🌍 Recent Community Event Highlights

🎢 Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026 | Orlando

April 21–23, 2026 | Orlando, Florida

The Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026 brought the global Microsoft community together in Orlando for an in‑person, community‑driven learning experience focused on Microsoft 365, Copilot, Teams, SharePoint, Viva, security, and modern collaboration. The event featured sessions and workshops led by Microsoft engineers, product leaders, MVPs, and experienced practitioners, with a strong emphasis on real‑world scenarios and practical guidance. Beyond formal sessions, the conference created space for community meetups, roundtables, and informal conversations that strengthened connections across organizers, speakers, and attendees.

🎨 Community Days | ColorCloud 2026

April 15–17, 2026 | Hamburg, Germany

ColorCloud 2026 returned to Hamburg as a community‑led Microsoft Business Applications conference covering Dynamics 365, the Power Platform, Microsoft Fabric, and AI. Sessions were delivered in both German and English, supporting a diverse European audience. The event combined hands‑on learning, expert insights, and customer stories with a strong focus on collaboration and community connection. ColorCloud continues to stand out for its creative atmosphere, bringing together consultants, developers, and business leaders to exchange practical knowledge and ideas.

🤖 Community Days | Copilot Community Conference Europe 2026

April 14, 2026 | Virtual

The Copilot Community Conference Europe 2026 was a free, fully virtual community event focused on Microsoft Copilot and AI‑powered productivity. The conference brought together users, administrators, developers, and adoption leaders from across Europe to share real‑world experiences and best practices. Sessions spanned Copilot for Microsoft 365, AI in the modern workplace, extensibility and development scenarios, governance and compliance considerations, and business adoption strategies. Designed to be accessible and practitioner‑focused, the event emphasized learning, exchange, and community connection in a rapidly evolving Copilot landscape.

🗣️ Upcoming MGCI Monthly General Sessions

MGCI General Sessions continue every 3rd Tuesday of the month, hosted in two time slots (AM and PM) to support our global community.

Coming in May:

Join Patrick McGown and Heather Cook, for a behind‑the‑scenes retrospective on planning and delivering M365 Community Days DC 2026, a two‑day, community‑driven conference held May 14–15 at the Microsoft Innovation Hub in Arlington, VA.
Patrick will share real‑world lessons learned from organizing the third annual event - bringing together Microsoft MVPs, Regional Directors, Microsoft employees, and local professionals for hands‑on workshops, breakout sessions, and unconference discussions across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Whether you're running a user group or scaling a regional conference, this session will highlight practical tips, creative ideas, and community‑first approaches to help you plan events that spark connection, learning, and lasting impact.

📅 May 19 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 May 19 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Check out all upcoming events:

Date	Topic
May 19	Community Spotlight: M365 Community Days DC
Jun 16	Driving Outcomes with Sponsorship
Jul 21	Community Spotlight (to be announced)

If you have ideas, feedback, or want to join as a guest speaker, we’d love to hear from you:
https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

👩‍🏫 Upcoming Event Trainings

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Date	Topic
May 28	Event & Committee Planning
Jun 25	How to Find and Select Speakers
Jul 30	FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages

If you have ideas, feedback, or would like to join us as a Guest Speaker to share your event tips & tricks, complete the form here👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

🌐 Community Days: Explore Upcoming Events

The community never sleeps and CommunityDays.org continues to be the best place to discover events happening worldwide, submit your own event, or explore active Calls for Speakers.

Check out events coming up in May:

Community Days | Community Summit Roadshow Chicago - May 5-6

Community Days | AMP Day Luxembourg 2026 - May 7

Community Days | CognitionX - Tunis - May 8-9

Community Days | M365 Philly 2026 - May 8

Community Days | AICD TUNIS - May 9

Community Days | DynamicsCon 2026 - May 12-15

Community Days | M365 Community Days DC 2026 - May 14-15

Community Days | MN M365 16TH BI-ANNUAL SPRING WORKSHOP DAY - May 15

Community Days | Microsoft Azure Infra Summit 2026 - May 19-21

Community Days | EMEA | SWOOP Analytics SharePoint Intranet Festival 2026 - May 20

Community Days | AMER | SWOOP Analytics SharePoint Intranet Festival 2026 - May 20

Community Days | APAC | SWOOP Analytics SharePoint Intranet Festival 2026 - May 20

Community Days | DynamicsMinds 2026 - May 25-27

Community Days | Update Conference Krakow 2026 - May 27-28

Community Days | AMP Day Strasbourg 2026 - May 27

Community Days | Australian Digital Workplace Conference - May 28-29

🔗 Browse all events: https://aka.ms/CommunityDays.Org

💙 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

MGCI Comes Together in Orlando

Community grows through action and that was on full display when MGCI members, board leaders, and community organizers came together in person at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026 in Orlando. Throughout the week, MGCI showed up across general sessions, meetups, roundtables, and informal gatherings, creating opportunities for connection beyond the agenda. From hallway conversations and community meetups to shared celebrations and learning moments, the Orlando conference reinforced what MGCI is built on: relationships, shared experiences, and the power of bringing people into the room together.

These in‑person moments, alongside our virtual sessions throughout the year, continue to strengthen how community leaders collaborate, support one another, and carry ideas back to their local and regional communities.

Closing

When you bring someone new into the room, you expand what’s possible.
When you share what you learned, you strengthen someone else’s event.
When you collaborate across communities, momentum becomes movement.

We’re grateful to be building this together.

Sincerely,
Your Board Officers
Microsoft Global Community Initiative

Foro Estratégico en Ciberseguridad Nodo Binacional MGCI.

Lider_RegionalMGCI — Sun, 03 May 2026 17:09:54 GMT

MGCI Nodo Binacional: Talleres Técnicos de Ciberseguridad.

Descripción:

¿Buscas fortalecer tus habilidades técnicas con herramientas de Microsoft? Este foro es el centro de operaciones para nuestros próximos talleres de capacitación.

Este espacio ofrece recursos exclusivos, noticias de la comunidad y un calendario de eventos virtuales para Mujeres México. Aprende sobre defensa de amenazas, identidad y cumplimiento desde una perspectiva, científica y certificada.

Este es un espacio de la Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) diseñado para que pases de la teoría a la práctica.

¿Qué encontrarás aquí?

Anuncios de próximos talleres.

Guías de estudio para certificaciones mas.

Networking con otros profesionales del sector en México.

Bienvenidos.

Iniciamos el camino en Ciberseguridad con MGCI México.

¡Hola a todos! Es un gusto saludarlos.

Mi nombre es B Aurora Rz Valles, Especialista Certificada por CONAHCYT, Director Regional Mucpaz Binacional Mex-USA Nodo, Red Nacional de Tejedoras de la Patria En El Exterior en Derechos Humanos Internacional y me emociona darles la bienvenida oficial a este foro de la Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) en México.

He creado este espacio con un objetivo claro: pasar de la teoría a la práctica. Queremos que este foro no sea solo de lectura, sino un centro de entrenamiento donde compartiremos fechas de próximos talleres, laboratorios en vivo y recursos estratégicos sobre el ecosistema de seguridad de Microsoft.

Gaceta MUCPAZ Insight Blog | Edición 001/ May/ 2026.

Impulsando a mujeres inmigrantes desde la tecnología y la construcción de paz

Desde el programa MUCPAZ (Mujeres Constructoras de Paz), trabajamos para fortalecer el liderazgo femenino y promover comunidades más seguras, resilientes y conectadas. Nuestra misión es acompañar a mujeres especialmente inmigrantes en su camino hacia el emprendimiento, brindándoles herramientas prácticas que les permitan crecer con confianza y sostenibilidad.

En este contexto, espacios como Microsoft Community y su ecosistema de aprendizaje juegan un papel clave, al facilitar el acceso a recursos tecnológicos, formación continua y redes de colaboración para la comunidad hispanoamericana.

Como Region Binacional estamos comprometidos en apoyar a mujeres que desean iniciar o fortalecer sus negocios, integrando la tecnología como aliada estratégica. Uno de los pilares de este proceso es la seguridad digital, esencial para proteger tanto su información personal como sus emprendimientos.

A través de este acompañamiento, promovemos el aprendizaje en áreas como:

Alfabetización digital y uso de herramientas tecnológicas
Seguridad digital y protección de datos
Uso responsable y estratégico de redes sociales
Comercio electrónico y plataformas digitales
Educación financiera para emprendedoras
Marketing digital con impacto social
Liderazgo y redes colaborativas
Acceso a recursos y oportunidades para mujeres inmigrantes.

El respaldo de comunidades tecnológicas fortalece este camino, permitiendo que más mujeres hispanohablantes accedan a conocimiento, innovación y oportunidades reales de crecimiento.

Creemos firmemente que cuando la tecnología se pone al servicio de las personas, se convierte en una herramienta de transformación social.

Porque construir paz también es cerrar brechas digitales y abrir oportunidades.

#TechCommunity

#WomenInTech

#DigitalSkills

#CommunityImpact

#LearningTogether

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

IsidoraKatanic — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 01:29:52 GMT

Hi MGCI Members!

As April moves forward, we hope you’re feeling inspired by the communities you’re part of and the ones growing all around you. From celebrating Women in Tech across the ecosystem to building excitement for the Microsoft 365 Community Conference in Orlando, shared energy and collaboration are fueling MGCI’s global momentum. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up next 🚀

💗 SharePoint Turned 25

Last month a digital event and many in person events around the world celebrated the 25th birthday of SharePoint, to view the digital event check out the link here - https://aka.ms/SPat25 Learn about the SharePoint Hackathon that so many of you participated in and get ready to view the upcoming "More than Code" short film. The cover photo is from an on-campus event with the SharePoint product team.

🌎 MGCI Regional Leader Update

Applications for our 2026 MGCI Regional Leaders are under review. Stay tuned - this next wave of leadership is going to help shape how Community Days grows around the world.

🗣️ MGCI Monthly General Sessions

Our March MGCI General Session showcased the power of Women in Tech & Allies communities across the Microsoft ecosystem 💜 featuring seven standout organizations creating real pathways for growth, mentorship, and leadership.

What showed up wasn’t just representation.
It was momentum 🚀

Across these communities, we’re seeing:

✅ Confidence being built
🔓 Access being created
🤝 Collective action taking shape

From mentorship‑driven programs to global networking and leadership pathways, these groups are turning connection into opportunity, proving that community isn’t just support.

It’s a launchpad for participation and advancement✨

If you want to explore how this momentum is turning into real‑world access and opportunity:

📖 Read the blog:
https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomeninTechandAlliesBlog-March2026

🎥 Watch the session recording:
https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Ready to move from reflection to action?
Discover Women in Tech speakers on Sessionize and help build inclusive, well‑rounded events:

🎤 https://aka.ms/MSWomenInTechSessionize

📅 General Sessions: On Deck

Don't miss out on our monthly general sessions hosted in two different time slots (AM and PM). We share the latest news and updates on what's happening behind the scenes at MGCI, as well as what's coming next. Community Members from all around the world get the opportunity to share insights on their upcoming events, current topics, community news, and interactive talks with other members. Mark your calendars now and join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month!

Apr 21	Microsoft Student Ambassadors - Guest Speaker: Tracey Salem, Senior Learning Manager, Global Skilling, Microsoft
May 19	Community Spotlight: M365 Community Days DC
Jun 16	Community Spotlight (to be announced)
Jul 21	Community Spotlight (to be announced)

📅 April 21 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 April 21 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Join Tracey Salem for an engaging look at the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program and the vibrant global community of students who are learning, building, and leading with Microsoft cloud and AI technologies. This session spotlights how Student Ambassadors bring fresh perspectives, energy, and new ways of engaging communities - both on campus and beyond. Attendees will come away inspired by what today’s students are doing, and better connected to a broader ecosystem of learners, leaders, and community builders shaping the future together.

👩‍🏫 2026 Event Trainings

Join our monthly Event Production Training & Office Hours with our Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver and learn from different leaders, with different perspectives how to run your next event. These are interactive sessions, giving you great insights into organizing community events around the globe.

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Apr 23	Run of Show – Day of Event Lessons Learned
May 28	Event & Committee Planning
Jun 25	How to Find and Select Speakers
Jul 30	FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
Aug 27	No Meeting – Summer Break
Sep 24	Event Branding – Graphics & Image Tips
Oct 29	Filling Seats! How to Market Your Event
Nov 26	No Meeting – Holiday Break
Dec 24	No Meeting – Holiday Break

In case you have any ideas, feedback, or would like to join us as a Guest Speaker to share your event tips & tricks, complete the form here👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

🌎 Community Days: check out upcoming events

The community never sleeps! And this impressive list of events proves exactly that our community is active more than ever before. New events keep getting included on https://aka.ms/CommunityDays.Org and you can get your upcoming events listed too! Use this community initiative for all your event needs, like scouting active Call for Speakers, or submitting your own event to get spotted by potential sponsors.

A group of speakers on stage at a community conference in Europe

💖 #CommunityLuv: in the spotlights

Himanshu Goil (Empowering Local Governments and Businesses to Scale through AI Agents, Automation, and Digital Transformation | TechForGov | IGNA™ | Ignatiuz) traveled from USA to Dubai for the event https://aka.ms/AIMaitri Where AI Meets Community. This beautiful shot was taken during his trip - read the full post here on LinkedIn:

https://aka.ms/AIMaitriLIPost #CommunityLuv

A man standing on a bridge in Dubai, UAE

🌴🎉 MGCI Is Bringing the Community to Orlando at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference

The Microsoft 365 Community Conference is where community comes together in person.

This year inside the Microsoft Innovation Hub, organizers, speakers, MVPs, and community leaders will turn hallway conversations into global collaborations through:

🤝 Informal community meetups
🗣️ Product roundtables with Microsoft teams and community voices
⚡ Lightning talks from community experts
🧭 Guided demo stations
💻 Hands-on experiences with Copilot+ PCs
🎙️ Live podcast recordings
🎂 A SharePoint 25th birthday celebration
🧱 Build-your-own LEGO figurine stations
💄 Red Lip experiential moments inside the Hub (because sometimes showing up boldly is the point)

MGCI will be onsite all week connecting grassroots organizers from around the world:

📍 MGCI Community Meetup Tuesday @ 4:15 PM
📍 MGCI Roundtable Wednesday @ 4:15 PM
⚡ MGCI Lightning Talk on the Power of Community

Expect roundtable conversations that go beyond slides - bringing together Microsoft teams and real‑world community perspectives to share ideas, challenges, and what’s actually working across the ecosystem.

And don’t miss:

💬 The Women in Tech & Allies Lunch Discussion - April 22! With an executive panel and special guests from across our community, one of the most anticipated gatherings at M365 Conf - designed to spark connection, share experiences, and champion what’s next for women in tech.
📸 MVP Photo Opportunity
🎬 More Than Code - SharePoint 25 Documentary Premiere

Because sometimes the most important thing you take home from a conference…
is the people you met along the way.

🎟️ Helping More Communities Join Us in Orlando

To support nonprofits and small businesses in our ecosystem, we’re offering a grant program for free or discounted tickets to the Microsoft 365 Community Conference in Orlando (April 21–23).

This program is designed for:

🤝 Nonprofits
🏢 Small businesses
💜 Members of Women in Tech & Allies community organizations

✈️ Travel and workshop expenses are not included and supply is limited.

Know an organization that could benefit from building skills in:

🤖 Copilot
💬 Microsoft Teams
☁️ OneDrive
🧩 SharePoint

Encourage them to apply:

Learn more and apply 👉
https://aka.ms/M365CommunityGrant

🌉 Microsoft Build: now shipping!

Find out what Microsoft is building next in Satya Nadella's keynote during Microsoft Build. Hosted in-person and online on June 2-3, 2026 in San Francisco, USA. Connect with the developers community, join interactive meetups and workshops to debug problems with engineers who’ve already solved them. Plus, get direct access to Microsoft and GitHub technical leaders for strategic guidance.

👩‍💻AI Agent Con: chapters around the world

Is Microsoft Build not around the corner for you, or simply impossible to attend due to other reasons? Thankfully, the Global AI Community tours with local events around the world, organized by the community for the community. Check out the list featuring local chapters across the globe.

💫 What Happens Next

MGCI isn’t powered by programming. It’s powered by participation. The connections made in Orlando and around the globe. The lessons shared through training. The roundtable conversations. First-time speakers stepping forward. That’s how this ecosystem grows. Community doesn’t scale through announcements. It scales through action.

Across MGCI and https://aka.ms/CommunityDays.Org, we’re seeing organizers connect across regions, share what’s working, and build events that reflect the communities they serve — supported by the tools, training, and resources that make grassroots impact possible.

And that’s how momentum becomes movement.

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

What's new with event sponsors?

WesPreston — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:43:21 GMT

Are there new sponsors / companies in the Community Days community looking for events to engage with?

Are event producers doing anything new and interesting at events to engage with or give opportunities to sponsors?

Do sponsors have suggestions on new ways to engage with event attendees?

Has anyone had success with companies looking to hire as event sponsors? For example, typical event sponsors are service or product providers. I'm wondering if local companies looking for M365 (for example) experts, admins, developers, etc. have had success as event sponsors. Sponsorship levels to have a table and presence at an event are usually much lower than referral or head-hunter fees... (Maybe this is a separate thread...)

Our event is getting ready to launch its Call for Sponsors. We're always looking for new and engaging ways to benefit both sponsors and attendees!
What have you found worked for your event? Or what (as a sponsor) was a great experience at an event?

Thanks!

HEY! Why are you here visiting MGCI? Tell us...

WesPreston — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:10:22 GMT

Greetings!

Are you looking for information about an event?

Are you considering hosting your own event?

Are you trying to find out who else in the community is in your area / region?

Are you looking to get involved with events and groups near you?

Let us know!

I'm Wes. I've been involved with M365, SharePoint, and Power Platform events in the Minneapolis, Minnesota (US) for about 20 yrs. I run one of the local @CommunityDays events (used to be called "SharePoint Saturdays"). I'm just one of many folks in the MGCI community here to answer your questions and point you towards the right folks for what you're trying to do.

Windows 11

7575 — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:18:18 GMT

Why can i not install Windows 11 without the installation software first search after driver?

/masa55/

MGCI General Session AM - May 2026

EmilyHove — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:18:46 GMT

Learn along with your community peers!

Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Agenda:

MGCI Program updates
Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members
Topic: Community Spotlight: M365 DC Community Days

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speaker: Patrick McGown, Microsoft MVP, CEO at Cloudwell, and MGCI Regional Leader

📅 May 19 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand.

Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

MGCI General Session AM - Apr 2026

EmilyHove — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:44:32 GMT

Learn along with your community peers!

Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Agenda:

MGCI Program updates
Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members
Guest Speaker Topic: All About the Microsoft Student Ambassador Program

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speakers: Tracey Salem, Senior Learning Manager, Global Skilling, Microsoft

📅 Apr 21 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand.

Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

Women’s History Millennia in Action: Community, Courage, and Collective Power 💜✨

HeatherCook — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:03:36 GMT

Our recent MGCI General Session was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why community matters.

What began as a panel quickly became something bigger - a shared experience filled with stories, hard‑earned wisdom, laughter, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you. The energy was high, the chat was buzzing, and the sense of connection was unmistakable.

This wasn’t just a conversation about women in tech. It was about visibility, access, allyship, and building something better - together.

❤️Stories That Connected (and Advice That Truly Landed)

Throughout the session, our panelists spoke candidly about their journeys - the wins, the doubts, the pivots, and the moments that shaped them. A consistent theme emerged: growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready.

Sravani Seethi captured this perfectly when she reminded the community that confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with one day. It’s built through action. Confidence, she shared, comes after you take the leap, after you say yes to the opportunity that stretches you.

That message resonated deeply, especially with early‑career technologists and new speakers listening in.

Christine Bongard built on that idea by encouraging attendees to be visible and intentional about their goals. Rather than waiting to be discovered, she emphasized the importance of advocating for yourself; making your work known and clearly communicating where you want to go. It was a powerful reminder that self‑advocacy isn’t about ego; it’s about clarity.

One of the most grounding moments came from Olajumoke Toriola, who spoke directly to the experience many women have had of walking into rooms where they feel outnumbered or unsure. Being a woman, she reminded us, is simply a definition of gender. It does not define strength, capability, or impact. You are at the table because you belong there.

Community Energy You Could Feel 💬💥

If the panel was the heartbeat of the session, the chat was the pulse.

Community members joined from around the world, sharing encouragement, LinkedIn profiles, mentorship opportunities, calls for speakers, and thoughtful reflections. The conversation unfolded in real time, reinforcing what the panelists were saying and adding even more perspective.

Attendees reminded one another that you don’t need to have all the answers to add value, that imposter syndrome often means you care deeply about your work, and that sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is simply show up.

That spirit of intentional community building was echoed by Sharon Weaver, who captured the purpose behind moments like this, “Our community isn’t here just for women, it’s here to elevate women. To give them opportunities to speak, present, connect, and be visible.”

Then came a moment that seemed to stop everyone in their tracks:

“My daughter is listening along.”

That single comment captured the heart of the entire session. This work matters, not just for today’s careers, but for the next generation watching, learning, and imagining what’s possible.

🤝Allyship, Practiced Not Preached

Another strong thread throughout the discussion was allyship - what it looks like beyond buzzwords.

Chaitra Vedullapalli spoke about shifting the focus from chasing opportunities to building systems and value so strong that opportunities naturally follow. Allyship, in this context, is about creating infrastructure, access, and pathways, not just offering encouragement.

That idea showed up again and again in the chat, where attendees talked about amplifying voices, recommending people for opportunities when they aren’t in the room, and building communities that collaborate instead of compete.

Melissa Ballesteros reinforced that collective success matters more than individual wins. Rather than navigating growth alone, she encouraged people to look outward and intentionally build community around shared goals,“If you’re not finding what you’re looking for, look outside. Find your tribe. Real success only happens when you bring your community with you.”

As one attendee summed it up simply: everyone needs an ally.

The Advice We’re Still Carrying With Us ✨

As the session unfolded, certain ideas stayed with people long after the call ended.

Sharon Smith shared how a single conversation or connection can completely change someone’s trajectory, a reminder of the quiet but powerful impact mentorship can have.

Rachel Sullivan brought the conversation back to growth and resilience, reminding everyone that mistakes aren’t something to fear. They’re how we learn. If you never take the action, she noted, you never get the chance to grow.

And throughout it all, Femke Cornelissen reinforced something the community clearly values: you don’t have to do this alone. Growth happens faster and more meaningfully when we ask for help, learn from each other, and lift others as we move forward.

For Nihinlola Adeyemi of TechStylers, it’s a belief that guides both her leadership and her work, “Being a woman is just a definition of gender. It doesn’t define your ability to make impact. You’re at the table because you belong there.”

This moment resonated deeply, especially for those early in their careers or stepping into new spaces and a reminder that confidence and impact aren’t granted, they’re built.

🌱 More Than a Month - A Movement

We said it together, and it’s worth repeating:

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.
It’s Women’s History Millennia.

The work shared in this session: mentorship programs, speaker pipelines, learning communities, and economic access initiatives doesn’t fit neatly into a single month. It’s ongoing, evolving, and powered by people who care deeply about making tech more inclusive, more human, and more connected.

Until Next Time 💜

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.
To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.
To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

We can’t wait to do this again.

Because community like this deserves to keep growing. 🚀✨

🎥Watch the conversation here: https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Connect with these wonderful organizations

Women in Cloud

Women in M365

Women in Power

Rockstar Women in AI and Security

TechStylers

The Mentoring Hub

The WIT Network

No MGCI Event Training Call Today - Thurs March 26, 2026

HeatherCook — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:40:21 GMT

This months MGCI Event Training call has been cancelled for Spring Break and MVP Summit. We'll be back in action in April to discuss Run of Show and how to put them together. Join us April 30th at 8:10am. Cheers

Cc EmilyHove

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Feb/Mar)

Jennifer-Mason — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:57:08 GMT

MGCI 2026 Is in Motion 🚀

Training. Platform Growth. Spotlight Opportunities. And We Need You.

If you’ve been thinking, “How can I get more involved this year?” this is your invitation.

We have a full year of training planned, major improvements happening on CommunityDays.org, and new opportunities for your events to be featured globally. Let’s walk through what’s coming.

For email updates on the latest, join our mailing list: https://aka.ms/MGCISignUP

🌎MGCI Regional Leader Application Update

🚀 Wow - thank you! A huge thank‑you to everyone who applied to become an MGCI Regional Leader. The response was incredible, and we’re currently reviewing applications. We’re so excited to announce our new Regional Leaders in April, stay tuned!

🎓 2026 Training: Built for Event Leaders

Whether you’re organizing your first event or your fifteenth, this year’s training lineup is designed to help you level up.

We’re focusing on the things that actually move events forward:

Sponsorship
Speaker selection
Run of show
Marketing
Branding
Even FOOD (because yes, it matters!)

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Date	Topic
Jan 29	Finding and Managing Sponsors (Missed it? Catch the recording!)
Feb 26	Community Days, MTC User Groups & AMC (link to blog post), recording coming soon)
Mar 26	No Meeting – Spring Break
Apr 23	Run of Show – Day of Event Lessons Learned
May 28	Event & Committee Planning
Jun 25	How to Find and Select Speakers
Jul 30	FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages
Aug 27	No Meeting – Summer Break
Sep 24	Event Branding – Graphics & Image Tips
Oct 29	Filling Seats! How to Market Your Event
Nov 26	No Meeting – Holiday Break
Dec 24	No Meeting – Holiday Break

Got an idea for a session you’d love to see? This is community-built training - your input shapes it.
Submit your idea here 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCI-EventOrganizerFeedback

🌐 CommunityDays.org Is Getting Better (Because of You)

Communitydays.org Features Recently Rolled Out

⚡ Page, image, code, and database optimizations
⚡ Performance improvements

Communitydays.org Features Coming Soon

Save / Reuse / Copy Sponsor Applications
Postpone / Cancel Events
Region-aware event listings
ICS / calendar sharing

These updates aren’t random. They’re coming directly from community feedback. If you’ve ever submitted a suggestion - thank you. We’re listening.

👥 We Need Volunteers for Event Review & Approvals

CommunityDays.org continues to grow. More events. More submissions. More global visibility.

And that means we need help. We are actively looking for:

👉 Volunteers to support Community Days Event Approval

This isn’t just admin work. It’s influence. You’ll help:

Maintain quality standards
Support new organizers
Ensure consistent global experience
Shape how Community Days evolves

If you care about community quality and want to contribute at a higher level - this is your opportunity.

🎤 MGCI General Sessions: A New Energy

We’re shifting General Sessions to be more community-facing, more impactful, and more promotional for you.

What’s Changing?

TED-style format
3–4 slide focused presentations
Community Days highlights
Event previews & recaps
Practical lessons from organizers

Same cadence:
✔ Third Tuesday of every month
✔ Two global time slots
✔ Recorded for on-demand viewing

📅 General Sessions

Check out all upcoming and past calls and events

Date	Topic
Jan 20	Community Update & AMA
Feb 17	CommunityDays.org: Backstage Pass
Mar 17	Women in Tech & Allies Panel
Apr 21	Microsoft Student Ambassadors
May 19	Community Spotlight: M365 Community Days DC
Jun 16	Community Spotlight TBD
Jul 21	Community Spotlight TBD

And here’s where you come in…

🌟 Want Your Event Spotlighted?

We are actively looking for Community Events to feature in upcoming General Sessions.

That means:

Share your story
Highlight your event
Talk about lessons learned
Promote what’s coming next
Inspire other organizers

If you want to be featured, fill out this form:

👉 https://aka.ms/GeneralSessionGuest

We are scheduling speakers now. If you’ve built something you’re proud of - let’s amplify it.

💖 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

This month, we’re showing some #CommunityLuv to SharePoint! More than features or announcements. It's about the community, the makers, the advocates, and the teams who have poured their hearts into this product for 25 years.

Watch parties were held all over and the celebration reminded us why this community is the best community in Tech!

SharePoint Product Team Watch PartyTwin Cities User Group Watch Party

🎉 Dive into the celebration - community stories, a must‑watch short film, a fresh blog, and ways to get involved, including the upcoming SharePoint Hackathon for builders and innovators.

👉https://aka.ms/Spat25

🎶 Bonus: a special birthday playlist. to keep the vibes going.

SPat25 CommunityLuv

💜Celebrating Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for a special MGCI General Session spotlighting the incredible impact of Women in Tech and Allies communities across the Microsoft ecosystem. Hear from inspiring leaders including Nihinlola Adeyemi (TechStylers), Lara Ajijola (TechStylers), Christine Bongard (WIT Network), Femke Cornelissen‑de Bruin and Melissa Ballesteros (Rockstar Women in AI & Security), Sravani Seethi (Women in Power), Sharon Smith (The Mentoring Hub), Rachel Sullivan (Women in M365), Olajumoke Toriola (TechStylers),Sharon Weaver (Women in M365), and Chaitra Vedulla (Women in Cloud) as they share real stories of mentorship, allyship, and building inclusive, empowering tech communities. Whether you lead a group, support one, or want to activate allies in your own community, this session offers practical insights and inspiration.

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 8:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 Mar 17 | ⏰ 5:10 AM PT | 👉 https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Looking to spotlight more amazing women speakers?

The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for discovering talented women across the Microsoft ecosystem—and you can be part of it too. Browse, share, or create a profile to help amplify diverse voices and strengthen inclusive tech communities. 💜

💡 Why This Year Matters

MGCI is not a program you watch. It’s a program you participate in.

And the best part? So many of you already are.

Every event organized
Every speaker coached
Every sponsor secured
Every new attendee welcomed at check-in

That’s community in action. MGCI is special because it’s powered by people - organizers, volunteers, presenters, leaders - who believe in bringing others together to learn and grow.

This year, we’re building even more support around that energy:

More structured training
Better tools on CommunityDays.org
Clearer processes
Spotlight opportunities to amplify your work
New ways to connect globally

Not because something is missing but because what you’re already doing is worth investing in.

When you share a lesson learned, you help someone else avoid a mistake.
When you spotlight your event, you inspire another region.
When you volunteer, you strengthen the experience for everyone.

That ripple effect is powerful.

The opportunity is powerful!

Opportunity to:

Grow as a leader
Elevate your local community
Connect with peers across the world
Build something meaningful

If you want to lean in this year, there’s space for you. If you’re already contributing, thank you. You’re shaping something bigger than any one event. The strength of MGCI isn’t just in the platform or the program. It’s in the people who care about community. And if the response to Regional Leader applications is any indication, this community is more energized than ever - excited to share what’s next in April.

All of this is worth celebrating.

Event Training: FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages - July 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 03:13:59 GMT

Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages

FOOD! Meals, Snacks, and Beverages covers how to keep attendees happy, energized, and coming back for more. Learn what to plan, when to serve it, and how food choices can make or break the event experience. Because no one does great community building on an empty stomach.

📅 July 30 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

Event Training: How to Find and Select Speakers - June 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:35:13 GMT

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: How to Find and Select Speakers

Finding great speakers doesn’t have to be hard or awkward. Learn where to discover amazing voices, how to confidently reach out, and how to build a lineup that reflects your community and audience. Walk away with practical tips to elevate your events and spotlight speakers people will actually show up for.

📅 June 25 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

Event Training: Event & Committee Planning - May 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:22:45 GMT

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: Event & Committee Planning

Running an event shouldn’t feel overwhelming or lonely. In this Event & Committee Planning session, you’ll learn how to build a strong planning team, divide the work without burning people out, and keep momentum from idea to event day. Walk away with real-world tips you can use immediately to run smoother, more inclusive community events.

📅 Mayl 28 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

MGCI General Session PM - Mar 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:43:16 GMT

Learn along with your community peers!

Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Agenda:

MGCI Program updates
Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members
Guest Speaker Topic: Women in Tech and Allies: Strengthening Community Across the Microsoft Ecosystem

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speakers: Melissa Ballesteros Rockstar Women in AI & Security, Christine Bongard, the WIT Network, Sravani Seethi Women in Power, Sharon Smith, The Mentoring Hub, Rachel Sullivan, Women in M365, Sharon Weaver, Women in M365, Chaitra Vedulla, Women in Cloud

MGCI General Session spotlights the incredible work of Women in Tech and Allies groups across the Microsoft ecosystem—communities that model what it means to build inclusive, connected, and empowering spaces in tech. In this session, we’ll explore how these groups operate across Microsoft, partner organizations, and the wider community; the programs and initiatives they drive; and the tangible impact they’re having on belonging, leadership development, and career growth.

We’ll hear real stories from community leaders who are creating mentorship pathways, elevating new voices, and advocating for representation in every corner of the ecosystem. Whether you lead a group, support one, or want to learn how to activate allies within your own community, this session offers practical insights and inspiration.

Join us to celebrate the Women in Tech leaders and allies who are shaping the future—together.

📅 Mar 17 ⏰ 5:10 PM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand.

Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

MGCI General Session AM - Mar 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:41:07 GMT

Learn along with your community peers!

Join Host Heather Cook for our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) General session – and we'd love for you to join the conversation! All are welcome!

Agenda:

MGCI Program updates
Subcommittee updates from MGCI Board Members
Guest Speaker Topic: Women in Tech and Allies:
Strengthening Community Across the Microsoft Ecosystem

Host: Heather Cook, Principal PM, Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, Microsoft

Guest Speakers: Christine Bongard, the WIT Network, Femke Cornelissen-de Bruin, Rockstar Women in AI & Security, Sravani Seethi, Women in Power, Sharon Smith, The Mentoring Hub, Rachel Sullivan, Women in M365, Sharon Weaver, Women in M365, Chaitra Vedulla, Women in Cloud

Join us to celebrate the Women in Tech leaders and allies who are shaping the future—together.

📅 Mar 17 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand.

Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

🎟️ Backstage Pass to CommunityDays.org

EmilyHove — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:38:40 GMT

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at CommunityDays.org? The February Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) General Session pulled back the curtain and delivered a true backstage pass - complete with a hands‑on walkthrough of the platform.

Led by Tom Daly, creator of CommunityDays.org, Microsoft MVP, organizer for M365 Community Days NYC and MGCI board member, the session showed how community leaders can get the most out of the platform - from launching a brand‑new event to managing speakers, sponsors, and all the moving pieces in between. Practical, approachable, and packed with “ohhh, that’s handy” moments, it was a must‑watch for event organizers and community advocates.

Hosted by Heather Cook from the Microsoft Customer Advocacy Group, the session brought together MGCI board members, regional leaders, MVPs, and community organizers from around the globe. Together, they explored new features, shared real‑world best practices, and got a sneak peek at what’s next for Community Days.

📺 Watch the full session on demand HERE

🌍 Why CommunityDays.org?
Because it makes community events easier - for everyone.

CommunityDays.org continues to shine as a central hub for community‑led events, helping:

🎤 Event organizers boost visibility and reach new audiences
🗣️ Speakers find fresh opportunities to share their expertise
🧭 Attendees discover community events happening worldwide

As several folks noted in the chat, Community Days has become a go‑to recommendation for organizers - and a true one‑stop shop for community event discovery.

🛠️ Creating an Event: From Idea to Draft (Without the Stress)
Tom walked through the full event‑creation journey using a real‑world example, proving you don’t need every detail locked in to get started.

Key takeaways:

✍️ Events can be saved before they’re fully complete
⏸️ The new Save Progress feature lets organizers pause and jump back in later
👀 Draft events can be previewed and shared with co‑organizers
✅ When ready, drafts can be submitted to the Community Days content team for review

📌 From the chat:
Attendees asked whether events could be previewed before being saved as drafts. Tom clarified that an event must first be saved as a draft to enable previewing, since incomplete events don’t yet have the required information to display properly.

🔁 Cloning Events & Collaborating with Co‑Organizers
Planning a repeat event? Community Days has your back.

Returning organizers can easily clone past events, reusing structure and settings from previous years - saving time and effort. Collaboration tools make teamwork smoother, too:

📧 Add co‑organizers by email
✏️ Allow co‑organizers to edit and manage events
👤 Choose whether organizers appear publicly on the event page

✅ Good to know:
Only the primary organizer can add co‑organizers, helping maintain clear ownership and smooth governance.

🚀 Ready to put this into action?
If you’re planning a Community Day (or even thinking about one), stop planning and start building. Head to CommunityDays.org today - create your event, save it as a draft, invite co‑organizers, clone last year’s setup, and get moving.

Whether this is your first Community Day or your fifth, CommunityDays.org is built to help you launch faster, collaborate easier, and reach more people.

👉 Go create your event. Go explore the platform. Go use it.

Your community is waiting.

Event Training: Run of Show: What to do the day of the event - Apr 2026

EmilyHove — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:03:10 GMT

Hosts: Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver

This month's topic: Run of Show - what to do the day of the event

Let’s turn event-day chaos into confident hosting! In this MGCI event training, we’ll break down the Run of Show - simple, flexible, and built for real life - so you can run smoother sessions, keep momentum high, and handle surprises like a pro. Expect practical takeaways, organizer hacks, and a few “why didn’t I do this sooner?” moments.

📅 April 30 ⏰ 8:10 AM PT

https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Bring your ideas too! Let’s share, learn, and capture best practices for producing events.

Learn about the Microsoft Global Community Initiative: https://aka.ms/MGCI

Post-event all meetings are available on demand on our Microsoft Community Learning YouTube channel: https://aka.ms/community/learning

Copilot application not work

newone_001 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:31:10 GMT

I have Microsoft surface pro 11 with windows 11 and have been using Copilot application since long time and after recent windows update it's stop working. Since last couple days all Microsoft technician has tried to solved by deleting my previous windows update, scanning process, restart, test mode, window repair, reset registry, etc.. no solution and I am helpless.

I really appreciate if someone can help me to fix it.

Thanking you,

Jay

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)

IsidoraKatanic — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 23:47:50 GMT

Hi MGCI members!

We have an exciting year ahead of us with many community initiatives around the world. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up next!

MGCI Regional Leader Applications are Now Open!

We are now accepting applications to become a Regional Leader for the Microsoft Community! This is a volunteer leadership role where Regional Leaders share best practices, connect with community regionally and globally and elevate their own game - and others. The Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) empowers Global Microsoft communities with the tools, training, and resources to create impactful events and amplify diverse voices.

**Applications close on Feb 12

#CommunityLuv on Social Media

We’ve been doing a little social‑scrolling lately and loved stumbling across your moments of #CommunityLuv. From personal wins to meetup snapshots to your reflections about 2025, these posts always make us happy. This month, we’re excited to spotlight a fun update from Microsoft MVP Shari L. Oswald, who’s gearing up to lead her first‑ever workshop at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference. She’s bringing some big enthusiasm - and even a special discount code just for you! Check out her announcement on LinkedIn and give her some community cheer. 🎉

From Community to Stage: Women in Microsoft Tech

Looking for amazing women speakers in the Microsoft ecosystem? 💜 The Microsoft Solutions Women in Tech speaker directory on Sessionize is a go‑to resource for community leaders and event organizers. It’s a curated list of talented, knowledgeable women who love sharing their expertise and supporting inclusive tech spaces. Even better - you don’t just have to browse it, you can be part of it. If you’re a woman speaking (or ready to start!) on Microsoft technologies, you can create a profile and get yourself listed too. 👉 Check it out, share it with your network, and help our community grow louder, more diverse, and more connected.

Missed our Events in January?

January 2026 MGCI General Session:

Didn't catch our January 2026 General Session with a Community Overview and AMA or care to watch it again? Check out the recording here.

January 2026 Event Training:

The MGCI Event Training on Sponsorships and Sponsors is a must see. If you weren’t able to make it, check it out here.

Congratulations, and welcome new MVPs!

Each month, Microsoft welcomes a selected group of newly awarded Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) into the MVP Program. A big congratulations to the newly awarded MVPs in January!

Need Help to Amplify Your Community Event?

If you’re organizing an event and would like to receive some extra support with your marketing activities – the Microsoft Global Community Initiative offers a Social Amplification Submission for your event. Fill out the form for the opportunity to have your event promoted on our community channels (such as LinkedIn, MTC, Newsletter etc.)

Mondays at Microsoft

Mondays at Microsoft hosted by Heather Cook (Microsoft) and Karuana Gatimu (Microsoft) is a bi-weekly show that aggregates new product announcements and upcoming community events to drive technical skilling and engagement. With deep love for the Microsoft community and very actively involved worldwide, Heather and Karuana take us along on their community journeys. Learn more at https://aka.ms/MondaysAtMicrosoft

In the Spotlights: Global AI Community AgentCon

The Global AI Community is traveling around the world with AgentCon events, enabling and connecting developers to learn and build with AI together. This week, Switzerland stands in the spotlights in the pictures below with a Keynote presented by Dona Sarkar (Microsoft Enterprise AI Advocacy). In case you are interested to attend any of the upcoming events, check out all the locations scheduled in 2026!

📸 Dona Sarkar (Microsoft), Isidora Katanic (Experts Inside AG | Microsoft MVP), Jose Luis Latorre (Swiss Life AG | Microsoft MVP), Zaid Zaim (Neo4j | Microsoft MVP)

Discover Community Events in February

There are tons of active communities around the world who are currently working, volunteering, and supporting upcoming events happening next month. We’ve summed up a few of the February events coming up, which you can all find on https://www.communitydays.org – the place to be to find your favorite events!

o M365 MIAMI: February 6 , Miami, FL, USA

o AICD D365UGME: February 7, Dubai, UAE

o AICD MAHDIA: February 14, Rejiche, Tunisia

o Global Power Platform Bootcamp: February 20, virtual from Poland

o Exchange Summit: February 24-25, Würzburg, Germany

o Knoxville Microsoft Community Days: February 26-27, Maryville, TN, USA

Join our next General Session on February 17^th

Come join us for engaging, interactive conversations with the Microsoft Global Community Initiative, featuring voices from around the world. Board Members, Microsoft leaders, and guest speakers invite you to participate in open discussions and knowledge sharing this February.

📅 February 17th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgAM

📅 February 17th ⏰ 5:10 PM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCIMtgPM

Join our next Event Training on February 26^th

Join MGCI Board Members Wes Preston and Sharon Weaver who host our Monthly Microsoft Global Community Initiative (#MGCI) Event Production Training & Office Hours – and we'd love for you to attend! All are welcome!

February’s topic: Run of Show: What to do the day of the event

📅 February 26th ⏰ 8:10 AM PT - https://aka.ms/MGCITrainingMTG

Celebrate 25 years of SharePoint with us!

Join our global digital event on March 2, 2026 as we look back at SharePoint’s most iconic moments - and look ahead to the next chapter powered by AI. Get an exclusive first look at new content AI capabilities and intelligent experiences that will reshape how people create, manage, and collaborate.

Register now: https://aka.ms/spat25
Read the full announcement: https://aka.ms/spat25/blog
Join the celebration: Share your stories and memories with #SPat25

Find our MGCI Resources

We have helpful MGCI resources available for you such as PowerPoint decks from our General Sessions, Event Training Sessions & Office Hours and other resources to help you run community events such as checklists, how to create a sponsor plan and more relevant tips & tricks.

Stay connected with MGCI on LinkedIn

With nearly 30.000 followers from around the world, we invite you to follow our Microsoft Community on LinkedIn. Here you can find the latest news, frequent updates, and interactive comments on what’s happening in the community.

Sincerely,

Your Board Officers

Microsoft Global Community Initiative

rss.livelink.threads-in-node

MGCI Newsletter Late April / Early May 2026

✅ Recently Wrapped: MGCI Monthly General Session

🌍 Recent Community Event Highlights

🎢 Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026 | Orlando

🎨 Community Days | ColorCloud 2026

🤖 Community Days | Copilot Community Conference Europe 2026

🗣️ Upcoming MGCI Monthly General Sessions

👩‍🏫 Upcoming Event Trainings

🌐 Community Days: Explore Upcoming Events

💙 #CommunityLuv Spotlight

Closing

Foro Estratégico en Ciberseguridad Nodo Binacional MGCI.

Gaceta MUCPAZ Insight Blog | Edición 001/ May/ 2026.

Impulsando a mujeres inmigrantes desde la tecnología y la construcción de paz

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

💗 SharePoint Turned 25

🌎 MGCI Regional Leader Update

🗣️ MGCI Monthly General Sessions

📅 General Sessions: On Deck

👩‍🏫 2026 Event Trainings

🌎 Community Days: check out upcoming events

💖 #CommunityLuv: in the spotlights

🌴🎉 MGCI Is Bringing the Community to Orlando at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference

🌉 Microsoft Build: now shipping!

👩‍💻AI Agent Con: chapters around the world

💫 What Happens Next

What's new with event sponsors?

HEY! Why are you here visiting MGCI? Tell us...

Windows 11

MGCI General Session AM - May 2026

Learn along with your community peers!

MGCI General Session AM - Apr 2026

Learn along with your community peers!

Women’s History Millennia in Action: Community, Courage, and Collective Power 💜✨

Our recent MGCI General Session was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why community matters.

What began as a panel quickly became something bigger - a shared experience filled with stories, hard‑earned wisdom, laughter, and the kind of encouragement that stays with you. The energy was high, the chat was buzzing, and the sense of connection was unmistakable.

This wasn’t just a conversation about women in tech. It was about visibility, access, allyship, and building something better - together.

❤️Stories That Connected (and Advice That Truly Landed)

Throughout the session, our panelists spoke candidly about their journeys - the wins, the doubts, the pivots, and the moments that shaped them. A consistent theme emerged: growth doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready.

Sravani Seethi captured this perfectly when she reminded the community that confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with one day. It’s built through action. Confidence, she shared, comes after you take the leap, after you say yes to the opportunity that stretches you.

That message resonated deeply, especially with early‑career technologists and new speakers listening in.

Community Energy You Could Feel 💬💥

If the panel was the heartbeat of the session, the chat was the pulse.

Community members joined from around the world, sharing encouragement, LinkedIn profiles, mentorship opportunities, calls for speakers, and thoughtful reflections. The conversation unfolded in real time, reinforcing what the panelists were saying and adding even more perspective.

Attendees reminded one another that you don’t need to have all the answers to add value, that imposter syndrome often means you care deeply about your work, and that sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is simply show up.

That spirit of intentional community building was echoed by Sharon Weaver, who captured the purpose behind moments like this, “Our community isn’t here just for women, it’s here to elevate women. To give them opportunities to speak, present, connect, and be visible.”

Then came a moment that seemed to stop everyone in their tracks:

“My daughter is listening along.”

That single comment captured the heart of the entire session. This work matters, not just for today’s careers, but for the next generation watching, learning, and imagining what’s possible.

🤝Allyship, Practiced Not Preached

Another strong thread throughout the discussion was allyship - what it looks like beyond buzzwords.

Chaitra Vedullapalli spoke about shifting the focus from chasing opportunities to building systems and value so strong that opportunities naturally follow. Allyship, in this context, is about creating infrastructure, access, and pathways, not just offering encouragement.

That idea showed up again and again in the chat, where attendees talked about amplifying voices, recommending people for opportunities when they aren’t in the room, and building communities that collaborate instead of compete.

As one attendee summed it up simply: everyone needs an ally.

The Advice We’re Still Carrying With Us ✨

As the session unfolded, certain ideas stayed with people long after the call ended.

Sharon Smith shared how a single conversation or connection can completely change someone’s trajectory, a reminder of the quiet but powerful impact mentorship can have.

Rachel Sullivan brought the conversation back to growth and resilience, reminding everyone that mistakes aren’t something to fear. They’re how we learn. If you never take the action, she noted, you never get the chance to grow.

And throughout it all, Femke Cornelissen reinforced something the community clearly values: you don’t have to do this alone. Growth happens faster and more meaningfully when we ask for help, learn from each other, and lift others as we move forward.

For Nihinlola Adeyemi of TechStylers, it’s a belief that guides both her leadership and her work, “Being a woman is just a definition of gender. It doesn’t define your ability to make impact. You’re at the table because you belong there.”

This moment resonated deeply, especially for those early in their careers or stepping into new spaces and a reminder that confidence and impact aren’t granted, they’re built.

🌱 More Than a Month - A Movement

We said it together, and it’s worth repeating:

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.It’s Women’s History Millennia.

The work shared in this session: mentorship programs, speaker pipelines, learning communities, and economic access initiatives doesn’t fit neatly into a single month. It’s ongoing, evolving, and powered by people who care deeply about making tech more inclusive, more human, and more connected.

Until Next Time 💜

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

We can’t wait to do this again.

Because community like this deserves to keep growing. 🚀✨

🎥Watch the conversation here: https://aka.ms/MGCI-WomenInTechandAlliesRecording

Connect with these wonderful organizations

Women in Cloud

Women in M365

Women in Power

Rockstar Women in AI and Security

TechStylers

The Mentoring Hub

The WIT Network

No MGCI Event Training Call Today - Thurs March 26, 2026

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (April)

This isn’t just Women’s History Month.
It’s Women’s History Millennia.

To our panelists: thank you for your honesty, generosity, and leadership.
To our community: thank you for showing up, engaging, and lifting one another up.
To the next generation listening in: we see you and we’re building this future with you in mind.

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Feb/Mar)

Microsoft Global Community Initiative Newsletter (Jan/Feb)

Join our next General Session on February 17^th

Join our next Event Training on February 26^th