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High Expert Summit 2026 - United by Community, Cloud, and AI

CristinaGonzalezHerrero — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:07:02 GMT

Community-driven events continue to be one of the strongest pillars of the Microsoft ecosystem—and the High Expert Summit, organized by MVPs and the High Expert community, is a powerful example of that impact in action.

Hotmart’s headquarters in Belo Horizonte offered a wonderful venue for the conference due to its modern auditorium and event infrastructure. The summit delivered two intense days of immersion, combining technical depth, strategic discussions, and meaningful connections. With more than 150 in-person participants, attendees were highly engaged and focused on advanced Azure and AI topics—making it one of the most impactful community Azure events in Brazil.

Belo Horizonte: Strategic Location, Real Impact

From both participant and speaker perspectives, the choice of Belo Horizonte played a defining role in the event’s success. Although São Paulo often concentrates major technology events, Belo Horizonte—home to approximately 2.5 million people—has a strong industrial, technological, and innovation footprint.

The region hosts major organizations such as ArcelorMittal, a global leader in steel and mining, and Localiza, one of Latin America’s largest mobility companies, founded in Belo Horizonte and operating across multiple countries, amongst many others. Belo Horizonte also counts with a solid startup network structure (SanPedro Valley - 1st startup community created in Brazil, BH-TEC technology park or the Seed -Startups and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development, governmental startup acceleration program) that pushes local entrepreneurs to create new technology-based goods and services. Professionals from these companies were actively present throughout the event, reinforcing how regional hubs outside the traditional tech “center” are deeply invested in cloud and AI transformation.

For many attendees, this was the first event in months—or even years—of this scale and quality in the region. The summit clearly addressed a local demand, delivering an experience that had a visible and lasting regional impact.

A Community-Led Event, Built by MVPs and New Voices

From the very first moments—reception, venue, logistics, and overall organization—the conference demonstrated exceptional care and professionalism. The High Expert team, led by Guilherme Maia, delivered an experience widely praised by attendees for its structure, attention to detail, and high standards.

A defining aspect of the event was the strong MVP presence, combined with intentional space for new and first‑time speakers. Most sessions were delivered by Microsoft MVPs, alongside Microsoft professionals and specialists working directly in the market—creating a balance between recognized expertise and fresh perspectives.

One particularly meaningful moment was the first public presentation by Matheus Faria Nogueira, who shared a real-world use case focused on security posture management in a web application architecture on Azure. His session demonstrated how security can be embedded into architecture decisions from the start—highlighting both technical rigor and the importance of encouraging new community voices.

Deep Technical Content with a Strong Security Focus

Over two days, participants explored strategic and technical content covering Azure architecture, DevOps, Artificial Intelligence, innovation, career development, market trends, and the real challenges organizations face today.

Security emerged as a key theme throughout the agenda. Among the highlights was the participation of Paulo Silva as a new speaker, presenting practical scenarios combining Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel. His session showcased how organizations can achieve better visibility, detection, and response across hybrid and cloud environments using Microsoft’s security stack.

Across sessions, a consistent message resonated with attendees: the value of hands‑on, experience‑driven content. Speakers went beyond slides, focusing on implementation details, lessons learned, and actionable guidance—an approach many participants highlighted as one of the event’s strongest differentiators.

Networking, Connections, and Industry Impact

Beyond technical sessions, the summit created space for high‑quality networking and collaboration. Conversations between architects, developers, MVPs, Microsoft professionals, and industry leaders fostered valuable exchanges among those actively shaping the future of Cloud and AI.

These interactions led to concrete follow‑ups after the event, including discussions around applying Azure AI and object recognition technologies in industrial environments—demonstrating how community events often become catalysts for real innovation.

Gratitude to the Community Behind the Event

The success of the High Expert Summit was the result of collective effort. Special recognition goes to the event team, who worked behind the scenes to deliver what many described as one of their most challenging—and rewarding—projects to date.

The event was elevated by outstanding speakers, including Johnson de Souza Cruz, Claudenir Andrade, Francisco Ferreira, Henrique Eduardo Souza, Elton Bordim, Osanam Giordane da Costa Junior, Gilson Banin, Rodrigo Fonseca, Daniel Ribeiro, Ieso Dias, Roberta Santos, Professor Rodrigo Moreira, and others—each contributing deep expertise, practical insight, and pride in representing the Microsoft MVP community.

Support from the sponsors BHS, Advanced Informatica Ltda., and DCIT Tecnologia also played a key role in making the experience possible.

Above all, sincere thanks go to every participant who invested their time, energy, and curiosity, turning the summit into a truly memorable community moment.

Looking Ahead

The event may have concluded, but the movement continues. The conversations, connections, and learning sparked in Belo Horizonte are already shaping what comes next.

With overwhelmingly positive feedback and strong regional engagement, expectations are set high for future editions, including the next High Expert Summit anticipated in 2027.

Once again, the Microsoft MVP community demonstrated its power to learn, connect, and build the future—together.

Want to Learn More About the MVP Program?

To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz.

Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations. 

The Network That Outlived Him: How MVP Min-gyu Ju's Community Keeps His Legacy Alive

SoyoungLee — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:56:59 GMT

By guest blogger YoungWook Kim

In the Microsoft MVP community, technology is more than just a tool; it is a bridge that connects people. The late Min-gyu Ju—founder of Recursive Soft and a preeminent expert in the IoT field—was a master at building these bridges with both strength and warmth. He looked beyond cold hardware and lines of code to find the human heart within. Although he has passed, his spirit remains vibrant through the colleagues who have gathered to hold an annual memorial seminar in his honor for the fourth consecutive year. This is a tribute to his technical legacy and the true meaning of being a "devoted expert."

Highlights from the 4th Memorial Seminar: Around 50 community members including fellow MVPs came together to voluntarily raise funds in honor of MVP Min-Gyu Ju, culminating in a meaningful scholarship presentation to his son.

Min-gyu’s Story

Min-Gyu Ju had a vision of making the world a warmer place through technology

Min-gyu Ju was a pioneer who navigated the IoT ecosystem with technical brilliance. However, the community remembers him for much more than his engineering feats. He was a selfless leader who dedicated his life to revitalizing the IT ecosystem in regional areas. To ensure that geographical distance did not lead to technical alienation, he frequently invited MVPs from across Korea, organizing high-quality technical sessions and networking opportunities.

Through these efforts, he redefined the title "MVP" for many. To his community, an MVP became someone who isn't just a skilled professional, but a devoted expert who gives back without hesitation. He loved bringing people together to talk shop and build networks. With a rare combination of top-tier technical skill and profound empathy, he was always a steady, humorous, and comforting presence for his colleagues facing difficult challenges. His passion was so infectious that it didn't fade when he left us; instead, it sparked a tradition. For four years now, we have continued to hold a memorial seminar to share knowledge and connect, exactly the way he loved to do.

Impact and Insights

This year’s memorial seminar was particularly moving. Min-gyu’s eldest son recently completed his military service and is returning to his studies. Following in his father’s footsteps, he is pursuing a degree in Computer Science. To support his journey, fellow MVPs, longtime friends, and even those who only recently learned of Min-gyu’s story came together to provide a high-performance laptop and a scholarship.

As we presented these gifts, we shared a message that resonated deeply with everyone present: “Your father left behind much more than you might think.” It was a reminder that while technology evolves and eventually becomes obsolete, the trust, reputation, and human connections a person builds are a permanent legacy. This experience reaffirmed that an MVP’s true value is measured by the positive change they ignite in the lives of others. The network Min-gyu built continues to solve problems and inspire innovation today.

Every year, the Korea Azure Tech Group hosts a memorial tech seminar in Busan—the hometown of MVP Min-Gyu Ju —to honor his legacy. This year marks the 4th anniversary of the event.

Closing

Plans are already underway for next year’s memorial seminar. We aim to invite even more incredible speakers and prepare an even richer program to honor the values of technology and networking that Min-gyu held dear. Losing a precious colleague is a profound sorrow, but the fact that our time with him continues to bear fruit is a testament to the amazing MVP colleagues who walk this path with me. I encourage you to lean into your community—because when we share our knowledge and support one another, our impact lives on forever.

Author Bio

YoungWook Kim

CEO of Hello AI | Microsoft Regional Director & AI MVP,

A longtime colleague who shared Min-gyu Ju’s vision of making the world a warmer place through technology.

MVP Enthusiast

Vinod_Sir — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:37:02 GMT

working professional more than 25 years of work exprience i do create videos on excel tutorial but never be earned pretigious award of MVP i dont know only if i post expertise on learn.microsoft.com then only my experience count as i am the expert ? my dream is dream to become MVP one just small desire have nice day all dont want to spam but just this is my feeling thanks

Celebrating MVP Authors: The Books (and People) Helping the Community Level Up

kimsanchez — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

At MVP Summit 2026, we put a special spotlight on MVP authors, community leaders who turn hard-won experience into practical, trustworthy resources. Their books don’t just share information; they help people everywhere build skills, solve real problems, and grow confidence with Microsoft technologies.

A dedicated MVP Authors discussion was held, complemented by a “Book Nook” experience in the Community Hub, where authors were invited to bring copies of their books to share with attendees. It sparked the kind of easy, organic moments that make Summit special, flipping through a chapter between sessions, swapping recommendations, and finally meeting the MVPs behind the resources so many in the community already know and trust.

Author Spotlight - My basic philosophy for writing is to help developers get up to speed on a topic faster and get a product to market sooner. Writing ideas come from different sources. Addressing common technical issues has been one of my inspirations. Other ideas come about when I see something that is missing or not communicated as clearly as it should be. The ideas turn into articles that focus on a specific topic or a book that tells a more cohesive story for bigger topics. Sean has a resource for anyone interested in self-publishing: https://www.annabooks.com/Articles/SelfPublishing-v1.4.pdf.

— Sean Liming, MVP (IoT) United States

Why MVP Authors Matter

Writing a technical book is an act of generosity. It takes months (often years) of planning, testing, revising, and simplifying so someone else can learn faster. MVP authors help create a smoother on-ramp for every kind of learner: the person shipping their first solution, the admin modernizing a tenant, the developer moving into cloud architecture, or the leader trying to understand what’s possible.

Helping learners go from “I read the docs” to “I shipped the solution.”
Creating study paths for certifications and role changes.
Sharing repeatable frameworks, not just one-off tips.
Bringing clarity to fast-moving products and new features.

Author Spotlight - I wrote this book in dedication to Professor John Gray, a mentor from the University of Hartford who shaped my career and spent his life teaching the next generation. Writing it felt like the most fitting way to honor his impact and carry his spirit forward of who he was. Jared’s book is Microsoft Copilot Studio Quick Start: Learn to Create and Deploy Personalized AI Solutions

— Jared Matfess, MVP (M365) United States

MVP Summit 2026: making authorship visible

The MVP Authors Roundtable created space for authors to compare notes on what readers need, what’s changing across the tech landscape, and how to keep content accurate and approachable. The Book Nook brought that same spirit into the Hub—an inviting place to browse, discover new topics, and connect face-to-face with the people behind the pages.

Author Spotlight - As a .NET developer and IT Consultant many years ago, I was involved in a cloud migration project to migrate a legacy .NET app to Microsoft Azure. And I learned a lot, the hard way and tried it all. Back then, there weren't any AI tools such as Copilot or ChatGPT to ask or to help and the documentation about cloud fundamentals and strategies were a few. Therefore, one night, I decided I want to document and write what I learned in action in that project. So, I reached out to O'Reilly, one of my favourite publishers. I had never written a book before, but I wanted to write one. That brave move became my first big masterpiece - Learning Microsoft Azure: Cloud Computing and Development Fundamentals book for everyone, organizations, developers, and learners who wants to build with Azure, but don’t know where to start.

— Jonah Andersson, MVP (Azure) Sweden

And the celebration doesn’t end when Summit wraps. MVPs are invited to share a selfie with their book on social media using the hashtag #MVPSummit, a simple way to amplify community-created content and make it easier for others to discover trusted resources across the program.

Because in the MVP community, authorship isn’t just about publishing - it’s about sharing, connecting, and helping others learn.

How you can support MVP authors:

Share a recommendation with a teammate who’s learning something new.
Post what you’re reading (or what chapter helped you) and tag #MVPSummit.
Leave a thoughtful review—specific examples help authors understand what’s working.
If you meet an author at an event, tell them how their work helped you (those stories matter).

To every MVP author: thank you for investing your time and expertise in the community. Your work helps others take the next step, whether that’s earning a certification, delivering a project, or simply finding the confidence to keep going. If you’re an MVP author, share your book and join the celebration with #MVPSummit.

Want to Learn More About the MVP Program?

To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz.

Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.

From Ignite Momentum to Build Readiness: How Communities Turn Announcements into Action

SoyoungLee — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:03:39 GMT

Introduction

Microsoft Peru office with community members for Ignite Community event.

At Microsoft Ignite, the company delivers bold announcements about the future of AI, cloud, and developer platforms. But once the livestreams end and the keynotes fade, a familiar question emerges: How do these ideas reach people where they actually build and learn?

The answer came from the community. Through MVP-led initiatives, community leaders across the globe transformed Ignite announcements into local, hands-on learning experiences. What followed wasn’t just a series of recap events — it was a global story of connection, localization, and shared momentum.

Story

The idea was simple, but powerful: take Ignite beyond the virtual stage and into local communities. Across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, MVPs and community organizers stepped up. Each group started from a different place — different languages, different audiences, different

challenges — but they all shared the same goal: make Ignite meaningful locally.

Microsoft Korea office with community members for Ignite community event

In Seoul, developers gathered to explore the present and futureof Copilot, disc

ussing practical use cases they could bring to work the very next day.
In Manila, a large-scale Ignite Local Edition event mirrored the feel of a first-party conference, proving that global experiences can thrive through

community leadership. In Europe, smaller meetups created space for deep technical conversations around Azure, AI, and Microsoft 365 innovations.

In student-focused communities, Ignite became a gateway — inspiring early-career developers to learn, experiment, and imagine what they could build next. These weren’t passive events. They were full of discussion, hands-on exploration, and peer-to-peer learning. Ignite announcements became starting points — not endpoints. Across Latin America, community-led Ignite sessions created new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

As one attendee from Peru shared:

“Thank you for bringing us the latest technological innovations through these kinds of events.”

Microsoft Manila office with community members for Ignite community event

For MVP leaders like Jesús Gonzales, the motivation was clear:

“I like sharing technological knowledge and reaching more people so we can make a real difference in their lives.”

In the Philippines, one attendee reflected on the deeper impact of these sessions within their communities:

“Learning gives you wings to fly.”

Another MVP Doher Brizzle Pable from Philippines described the experience as:

“Tired — but TIEd: transformed, inspired, and empowered — since everything we do is for our community.”

These shared experiences are now shaping how local leaders prepare their communities for the next wave of announcements at Microsoft Build.

Impact and Insights

Community networking after sessions.

Through a series of Ignite-related community events, a few patterns became clear.

First, local context matters. Communities don’t want just announcements — they want interpretation, relevance, and examples that reflect their reality. MVPs played a crucial role as trusted translators between global vision and local practice.

Second, lightweight enablement unlocks scale. Practical support such as venue access, coordination guidance, and content alignment helped reduce barriers without adding complexity.

Finally, community leaders are force multipliers. When given trust and flexibility, they don’t just repeat content — they elevate it. They create safe spaces to ask questions, experiment, and learn together. The result was not just participation, but momentum: deeper engagement with Microsoft Learn, stronger local ecosystems, and renewed energy across global technical communities.

Call to Action

As Microsoft Build approaches, the success of Ignite Community Events offers a clear blueprint. When global announcements meet passionate local leaders, something powerful happens. Learning becomes accessible. Innovation becomes shared. And community becomes the catalyst.

If you’re a community organizer, MVP, or aspiring leader, keep an eye out for upcoming Build Community Event opportunities. The next chapter is already taking shape — and once again, it will be written together by the community.

Resources

To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz.

Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.

My MVP Story: Closing Technology Gaps Through Community: Diana Calizaya’s Journey

alicepiras — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:36:12 GMT

The world of technology can seem vast and intimidating at first. For Diana, entering university without a clear sense of where to begin in tech pushed her to take a decisive step: seek out a community. She wanted to learn beyond the classroom and connect with others who were also exploring their paths in technology.

That search led her to the Microsoft Student Ambassador Program, an experience that strengthened her technical skills as a developer and introduced her to a global network of learners, mentors, and educators. For the first time, learning felt collaborative rather than solitary, and it gave her the confidence to keep going.

A milestone moment: Diana holding her Microsoft MVP Award, a recognition of technical excellence, community leadership, and the power of growing together.

From Participant to Community Leader

Being part of an international community helped Diana grow, stay current, and broaden her perspective. It also highlighted a stark reality: in Bolivia, many young people—especially girls and young women—did not have access to similar learning spaces or role models in technology.

Motivated by this gap, Diana began fostering local communities for girls and women in tech. What started with small initiatives grew into something bigger: she went on to found the first Microsoft User Group Bolivia, creating a local space for learning, connection, and innovation that had not existed before.

The Power of Growing While Building Community

This journey led to one of the most meaningful milestones of Diana’s career: being recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft Foundry while still a university student. For her, this recognition was not just about technical expertise; it was an affirmation that consistent community contribution truly matters.

Communities enhanced her technical profile and expanded her network, but more importantly, they shaped her values. As Diana puts it: “Professional growth is important, but helping your community grow alongside you is what truly defines an MVP.”

Hello World Day at the CBA, La Paz: an event designed for young people taking their first steps as developers, organized together with the Microsoft User Group Bolivia community.

A Transformative Combination

Today, Diana’s work brings together technology, education, and artificial intelligence in a very tangible way. With a degree in Systems Engineering, she works as an AI Solutions Consultant, creating intelligent solutions that deliver real‑world value. In parallel, she is a Competitive Programming Instructor, supporting senior high school students as they develop problem‑solving skills and confidence through technology.

Teaching allows Diana to see how early access to technology can shape critical thinking and open new paths. This intersection of building and teaching technology defines her professional focus today — using innovation as a practical tool to expand opportunity and reduce long‑standing technological gaps.

Community as a Starting Point and Purpose

While technology defines Diana’s work, community defines her purpose. What began as a search for belonging became a lifelong commitment to creating inclusive spaces where others can grow. Building communities strengthened her leadership, shaped her values, and ultimately led her to become a Microsoft MVP.

Today, she continues to support girls and adolescents in technology through organizations like UNICEF and initiatives such as U‑Report. For Diana, community is not a phase or an outcome — it is both the starting point and the compass that guides everything she does.

What Role Will Community Play in Your Journey?

Community changed Diana’s journey, and it continues to change the lives of others. What role has community played in your professional growth, or where could you help close gaps for others? Share your thoughts in the comments, pass this story along, or consider nominating someone making a similar impact.

Want to Learn More About the MVP Program?

To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz.

Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP Program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.

A Recap of MVP Summit 2026

kimsanchez — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:28:27 GMT

This year’s annual MVP Summit brought together several hundred Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) and Regional Directors (RDs) in-person on the Microsoft Redmond campus and online to learn, connect, and share. MVP Summit 2026 delivered hundreds of technical sessions, Microsoft confidential previews of what’s coming next, and the chance for MVPs to provide direct feedback to the product groups building the tools communities rely on.

Summit week blended deep technical content with plenty of opportunities to meet new people, reconnect with friends, and spend time with the Microsoft leaders and engineers who make this event possible. From executive keynotes and product deep dives to hands-on learning and creator experiences, MVP Summit 2026 reminded us why this community is so special.

Microsoft Product Leaders and the Future of Work

The Summit kicked off with an executive keynote focused on agentic AI across the Microsoft product portfolio. Leaders shared how agents are being built, deployed, governed, and scaled - grounded in trust, security, and enterprise readiness - and set a clear direction for what’s ahead.

That vision set the tone for the week - anchoring technical conversations in real-world scenarios and giving MVPs the context to bring back to their communities (along with the feedback that helps Microsoft build better products).

Technical Sessions Across the Stack

MVP Summit, an NDA technical preview conference, enables MVPs to join a wide range of breakout sessions spanning MVP Award Categories. Conversations are a mix of roadmaps, deep dives, demos, and AMA’s, all with plenty of time to ask questions directly to the people building the products.

The depth of content meant MVPs could dig in, ask the hard questions, and bring meaningful feedback to the product groups - while still leaving Summit with plenty of shareable takeaways for their communities.

One MVP summed it up perfectly:

“This year’s MVP Summit delivered an impressive level of technical depth.”
— Windows Development MVP

Hands-on Learning MVPs Want

New this year - hands-on labs. In-person attendees could jump into pre-configured environments, guided by the teams building the features creating ‘let me try it’ moments.

One MVP summarized it as:

“My favorite part of MVP Summit was the new labs. Bring those back.”
— Azure MVP

Highlights from the labs:

Multiple hands-on labs were offered throughout the week
Sessions filled quickly, clear proof that MVPs want even more hands-on learning
Labs complemented the broader schedule of technical sessions and deep dives

The MVP Hub: Reimagined for Connection

New in 2025, the Hub made a reappearance this year and it was an intentional home base for the week. It wasn’t just a place to pass through between sessions; it was where conversations started and kept going.

Hub highlights included:

MVP-led unconference roundtables shaped by community interests
Regional and language-based meetups that strengthened local and global ties
Theater sessions that gave MVPs a platform to share and learn from each other
Dedicated programming for new MVPs to help them feel connected from day one
On-demand swag featuring MVP-designed artwork—attendees could choose either a t-shirt or a tote bag
A creation station where MVPs could make a friendship pin

These peer-driven moments created space for meaningful dialogue and helped ensure the connections made at Summit keep going long after everyone heads home.

Celebrating MVP Authors

MVP Summit 2026 put a special spotlight on MVP authors, celebrating the impact they have through technical books that help people everywhere level up.

Between a dedicated MVP Authors Roundtable and a “Book Nook” experience, authors were encouraged to bring copies of their books to share in the Hub. That created easy, organic moments - flipping through a book between sessions, swapping recommendations, and meeting the MVPs behind the resources so many in the community already know and trust.

And the celebration doesn’t stop just because the week ended. MVPs are invited to share a selfie with their book on social media using the hashtag #MVPSummit, helping amplify community-created content and the breadth of expertise across the program.

Because in the MVP community, authorship isn’t just about publishing, it’s about sharing, connecting, and learning from one another.

MVP Creators Took the Mic in the Creators Lounge

Another standout addition - the Creators Lounge at DevRel Studios. For the first time, MVPs could step into professional recording studios to produce podcasts, videos, and other content for their own channels, bringing the Summit experience back to their communities in real time.

MVPs said it best:

“This is my first year at MVP Summit, and the recording session was a highlight. The studio layout is awesome, and the team was incredibly professional and helpful.”
— Azure MVP

“When I arrived, I didn’t know the level of care the team would give me. I’m feeling like I’m walking on clouds. Being an MVP is my life and passion.”
— Business Applications MVP

“The offer to open something like this to people who would not normally have access is probably the best thing I’ve received since being an MVP.”
— Business Applications MVP

“Sometimes you get the chance to do things like a rockstar—and it makes you believe more in yourself.”
— M365 MVP

“The setting was so cool and professional. It gave me new ideas for how I create content back home.”
— M365 MVP

Watch the first two Creators Lounge recordings:

Campus Tours

Beyond the sessions, MVPs also had the chance to join guided campus experiences and see behind the scenes in places like the Garage, the Inclusive Tech Lab, the Xbox lab, the Archives, the Production Studios and more. The tours gave attendees a closer look at the spaces—and the teams—where ideas become products, adding an extra layer of context to the week’s technical conversations.

Connecting After Hours: The Networking Mixer

Bringing together MVPs from around the world means making time not only for deep technical learning, but also for the moments that build community. After sessions wrapped on Day 2, MVPs gathered for a casual networking mixer - a chance to recharge, swap stories from the day, and keep conversations going in a relaxed setting. MVPs could choose to play throwback games like air hockey or Pacman, make a 3D MVP button, or take a picture with Clippy. The Mixer made it easy to meet someone new, reconnect with familiar faces, and spend a little time with the product group leaders who help make Summit week possible.

Women’s Networking Event

Also, this year, women and non-binary MVPs gathered for a dedicated networking event hosted by Microsoft product groups. The evening created space to connect, learn from each other’s experiences, and strengthen relationships. A few Microsoft leaders shared about their career journeys in the tech industry and the importance of relying on other women to be mentors or sponsors to help grow in careers.

One MVP shared:

“I had tears in my eyes at one point seeing a sea of female MVPs all in one place. It’s one of my favorite memories of Summit this year.

— Business Applications MVP

Supporting New and First‑Time MVPs

For new and first-time MVPs, Summit can feel like drinking from a firehose - in the best way. In 2026, we expanded structured programming to help new attendees get oriented quickly and start building connections right away.

Highlights included:

Guided First‑Time Attendee Walking Tours of the Microsoft campus on Sunday and Monday
A dedicated New and First‑Time MVP Breakfast
Programming in the Hub designed to help new MVPs build early connections

These touchpoints helped ensure first-time attendees felt welcomed, supported, and connected before the first breakout session began.

A More Inclusive Hybrid Experience

Because Summit is hybrid, the virtual experience matters. In 2026, we continued to invest in improvements that helped remote attendees feel included and connected.

Virtual highlights included:

Daily virtual check‑ins
A digital Name Wall as part of virtual swag where MVPs could find their name
Live‑streamed campus tours
Faster access to on‑demand session recordings

MVPs joining remotely consistently called out the stronger sense of connection and access throughout the week - and those improvements will keep building.

The Community Doesn’t End When Summit ends

The sessions, labs, and announcements matter - but what MVPs talk about long after they fly home is the people: the hallway conversations, the new connections, and the ideas you only get when you put community in the same room (or the same chat).

As one MVP put it simply:

“The worst part of the annual MVP Summit? It ends.”
— Developer Technologies MVP

MVP Summit 2026 brought deep technical insight alongside a renewed focus on belonging, creativity, and community momentum. The conversations sparked this week will keep going across user groups, events, content, and communities around the world.

Thank you to every MVP, speaker, moderator, and Microsoft team who helped make this year’s Summit such a meaningful week.

Join the conversation: Were you part of MVP Summit 2026? Share your favorite moments - or a selfie with your MVP‑authored book - on social media using #MVPSummit and help keep the connections and conversations going.

Want to Learn More About the MVP Program?

To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz.

Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.

MVP profile still associated with previous employer

Nigella — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:23:51 GMT

My old MVP profile is still associated with a previous employer’s work account.

I no longer have access to that account. How can it be linked to my current account?

The Real Path to Microsoft MVP: Self-Doubt, Small Steps, and Consistency

kimsanchez — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

By Guest Blogger Barret Blake

Before I Tried for MVP

I get asked a lot how I became a Microsoft MVP—and the honest answer is: I wasn’t chasing it. I was happy simply being part of the developer community: attending the occasional user group or conference, and writing a blog post now and then when something caught my interest.

Over time, this career has been great to me, and I felt more and more that I should give something back. But I didn’t feel like I had much to offer. You know the voice: “Who cares what I have to say?” So I stayed in the same pattern—showing up, learning a lot, but not really stepping into consistent contribution.

The Nudge (and the Accountability) That Changed Everything

Then I unexpectedly found myself needing to find a new job. I landed at a consulting firm helping lead a team of Microsoft Dynamics developers. Our boss was a Microsoft MVP—the first MVP I’d met outside of a conference hallway—and he was serious about community involvement. We ran and hosted the local Dynamics user group, and several of us (including me) were encouraged to submit sessions to conferences.

Saying Yes to Speaking

I was hesitant, but I submitted to multiple conferences anyway. The first accepted session was as a co-presenter at Community Summit NA in Orlando. The session went well—despite my constant feeling of terror—and that was the moment I decided to keep saying “yes” to speaking opportunities.

Barret speaking at an event.

Deciding to Go for It

After a few months (and a couple more speaking opportunities), my boss suggested I set a goal to become an MVP myself. By then I’d taken a real interest in Power Automate and had written several posts about what I was learning. Still, I didn’t think my perspective would matter to anyone else, so I mostly shrugged the idea off.

A few months later, another local MVP I’d met suggested the same thing—and offered to submit me. That was the first time I thought, “Maybe I should at least take this seriously.” So I kept writing, kept submitting sessions, and started speaking at multiple user groups.

Submitting the Nomination

About six months later, I decided that whether I felt ready or not, it was time to submit. My friend put my name forward and I started the process. I was prepared: the MVPs guiding me had explained how it worked, so I had my contributions documented—blog posts, sessions, and community activities—ready to share.

To be honest, I went through it half-heartedly. I genuinely didn’t think I would be accepted.

By that point I was connected with two MVPs and familiar with several others through their blogs and community sessions. I compared myself to them and came up short. What could I offer that wasn’t already covered across the community? But with their encouragement, I submitted—and then I waited.

The Waiting Game

That waiting period is the hardest part. It can take a couple of months for a new candidate to be reviewed, and that was true for me too. Around 4–5 months later—right around the 1^st of the year—I got the email: I’d been accepted into the program as an MVP for Power Automate in the Business Applications area.*

After Acceptance (and New Doubts)

I’m now in my 3^rd year as an MVP for Power Automate. With the 2025 renewal, I wondered if I’d contributed enough around .NET to try adding that category as well. The same comparison trap showed up again—I looked at other MVPs and felt behind. I decided to try anyway. To my amazement, it was approved, and now I’m an MVP in both categories.

Comparison is hard to outgrow. Even now, I still have to fight that feeling of insufficiency—and, yes, the imposter voice shows up. But I’ve learned that “feeling ready” isn’t the requirement. Consistent effort is. I keep pushing forward, offering what I can, and hoping that even one person gets value from it. If that happens, it’s worth it.

Barret speaking at an event.

What I’d Tell Aspiring MVPs

Sadly, neither of the MVPs who gave me that initial push are still in the program, but I’ll always be grateful for their guidance and encouragement. If you take nothing else from this, remember one thing: you do have something to offer. Make the effort. Submit the session. Write the post. Help the next person. You may succeed. You may fail. But if you inspire even one person, it will have been worth it.

Resources

Connect with Barret on LinkedIn
Learn more about the MVP Program and follow us on X and LinkedIn.
Check the Reactor for quarterly opportunities to hear from MVPs about their MVP journey.
*Editor’s note it takes about three months to have a nomination reviewed.

The Techbayanihan Journey: From Discovery to Empowerment

kimsanchez — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT

By Guest Blogger MVP Doher Drizzle Pablo

Introduction: A Community Vision Rooted in Bayanihan

When Techbayanihan began as a community initiative, the vision was simple but ambitious: to make technology inclusive, approachable, and meaningful for Filipinos. As a Microsoft MVP and community organizer, I have seen firsthand how access to learning, mentorship, and opportunity can change lives. Techbayanihan 2025 was inspired by that belief and by the Filipino value of bayanihan: the spirit of coming together to lift one another.

Traditionally, bayanihan reflects neighbors helping neighbors, sharing time and effort so the whole community can move forward. In today’s context, it also means opening doors through learning, mentorship, and collaboration—so more people can participate in the opportunities created by Data and AI.

Held on December 3 and 4, 2025 at Microsoft Philippines (One Ayala Tower, Makati City), Techbayanihan 2025: Data at AI Para Sa Bayan became more than a technology event. It became a shared journey of learning, collaboration, and empowerment for students, professionals, educators, and industry leaders across the Philippines.

Participants engaging in networking and knowledge-sharing activities during TechBayanihan 2025.

The Techbayanihan Journey: From Discovery to Empowerment

Techbayanihan 2025 was intentionally designed as a journey rather than a traditional conference. We wanted participants to experience how growth in Data and AI truly happens, from inspiration to hands-on learning, to real opportunities.

Discover: Shared Vision for Responsible, Inclusive Innovation

The journey began with Discover, where keynotes and technology showcases from Microsoft leaders, MVPs, sponsors, and partners set a shared vision for responsible and inclusive innovation. These sessions helped ground emerging technologies like AI in real community needs and local contexts. Participants then moved into early conversations through technology showcases and partner interactions, sparking curiosity and aligning on how innovation can be both impactful and inclusive.

Match: Ask-the-Expert Mentorship Meets Real-World Challenges

In Match, curiosity met experience. Through Ask‑the‑Expert sessions and mentoring engagements at partner booths, participants brought real‑world challenges and received practical guidance from industry professionals, MVPs, and Microsoft partners.

These conversations helped bridge the gap between learning and application—showing attendees how Data and AI skills translate into real solutions.

(Left) Career Bayanihan Founder, Drizzle Pablo, shared insights on TechBayanihan 2025 and expressed appreciation to partner companies for their participation. (Right) Participants from Emerson and Nestlé attended the Day 2 Copilot Studio workshop during HackBayanihan 2025.

Learn: Hands-On Skilling From L100 to L300

As interest turned into capability, attendees entered the Learn stage. Hands‑on workshops, L100–L300 technical deep dives, and skilling sessions covered Data, AI, and Business Applications. Learning was further enriched through partner solution showcases, live demonstrations, and HackBayanihan, where participants applied Microsoft technologies such as Power Platform and Copilot Studio to real scenarios. These experiences demonstrated that meaningful AI innovation is accessible—not limited to experts alone.

Refer & Connect: Turning Skills Into Career and Community Opportunities

Techbayanihan also emphasized opportunity. Through Refer & Connect, participants engaged in CareerBayanihan, a dedicated career fair that connected talent with employers. Community zones brought together Microsoft partners, MVPs, student groups, and technology organizations—creating spaces where collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge sharing happened organically.

Empower: Recognition, Belonging, and Paying It Forward

The journey concluded with Empower, a moment to recognize contributors, volunteers, speakers, and learners. This reinforced a core belief of Techbayanihan: when Data and AI are shared through bayanihan, they become tools for empowerment, inclusion, and nation‑building.

What We Saw: Impact, Insights, and Ripple Effects

The impact of Techbayanihan 2025 extended far beyond the two-day event.

Students gained confidence to pursue careers in Data and AI. Professionals discovered new learning paths and career opportunities. Communities strengthened their collaboration with Microsoft, partners, and one another.

Through initiatives such as HackBayanihan and CareerBayanihan, we saw how accessible tools such as Power Platform and Copilot Studio enable innovation from both citizen developers and professional developers alike. These programs reinforced a powerful truth: AI innovation thrives when learning, mentorship, and community support come together. As an MVP, one of my biggest takeaways was the ripple effect of community driven learning. When people feel supported and included, they are more willing to learn, share, and give back. This is how sustainable tech communities are built.

TechBayanihan 2025 volunteers and organizers during the Community Group Photo, symbolizing collaboration, service, and inclusive innovation.

What’s Next: An Invitation to Practice Bayanihan Through Tech

Techbayanihan 2025 reaffirmed that local community initiatives can create real impact when guided by purpose and supported by collaboration.

To fellow MVPs, community leaders, and technology professionals: consider how bayanihan shows up in your own work. How are you using your skills to lift others? What kind of community could you help build next?

Together, we can use Data and AI not just to innovate—but to empower people, strengthen communities, and build a more inclusive digital future.

About the Author

Doher Drizzle Pablo is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional and community organizer based in the Philippines. She leads Techbayanihan, a Microsoft powered community initiative focused on inclusive innovation, skilling, and digital empowerment.

Is the Microsoft MVP Program for You? A Love Letter to Community Builders

alicepiras — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:04:14 GMT

Most Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals remember the moment they realized they were already doing the work. Writing that blog post late at night because someone, somewhere, might find it helpful. Answering questions in a forum long after an event ended. Organizing a meetup with no guarantee anyone would show up. Long before the title, the badge, or the email arrived, the impact was already there.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the Microsoft MVP Program might be for you, you are in the right place.

The MVP Program Isn’t About Being the Loudest Voice

One of the biggest misconceptions about the MVP Program is that it’s reserved for the most visible experts or the people with the biggest platforms.

In reality, the MVP Program celebrates impact—and impact looks different everywhere. It can be sharing deep technical knowledge through blogs, videos, or open-source projects. Mentoring others as they grow in confidence and skill. Building safe, inclusive spaces where people feel welcome to learn. Translating complex ideas so more people can access them. Showing up consistently for your community.

MVPs aren’t defined by a single moment. They’re recognized for sustained contribution, technical leadership, and generosity over time.

A Global Community, Shaped by Local Voices

The MVP community spans the globe, across countries, cultures, languages, and career paths. That diversity isn’t incidental; it’s essential. Every community has unique challenges and opportunities. MVPs bring local context to global conversations, ensuring that innovation isn’t centralized, but shared. Whether you’re organizing events in your city, supporting online communities in your native language, or helping others navigate their first steps in tech, your perspective matters. The program grows stronger when more voices, experiences, and stories are part of it.

Growth Goes Both Ways

Becoming an MVP isn’t just about recognition; it’s also about acceleration. MVPs deepen their technical curiosity, strengthen their leadership skills, and build lasting connections across regions and disciplines. They learn from peers who challenge and inspire them, and they give back by sharing insights and amplifying others.

It’s a cycle of learning and contribution, powered by curiosity and care.

Your Story Matters, even If It Doesn’t Feel “Big” Yet

Many MVPs will tell you they hesitated before applying or accepting a nomination.

“I’m still learning.”
“I don’t post enough.”
“Others are doing more.”

But the MVP Program isn’t about perfection. It’s about intentional impact.

If you’re consistently helping others learn, grow, and build — your story belongs here. And sharing that story might inspire someone else to take their first step too.

Thinking About Applying?

If this resonates with you, consider taking the next step:

Reflect on how you’ve contributed to the community

Gather examples of your impact, big or small

Ask peers or community members for feedback

Explore the MVP nomination process and guidelines

And remember: applying isn’t a finish line. It’s part of a longer journey of learning, sharing, and growing together.

Want to Learn More? Join Us Live!

If you’re curious about the Microsoft MVP Program and want to explore it in a low‑pressure, welcoming space, we host quarterly live sessions through Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes — with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.

The next "MVP Program Essentials: What You Need to Know" session takes place on March 17! Join us here.

Ready to Take the Leap?

The Microsoft MVP Program exists because of people who believe that knowledge grows when it’s shared — and that communities thrive when we lift each other up.

So here’s the question:

What’s your MVP story — and are you ready to write the next chapter?

Learn more about the MVP Program and how to apply

Review the FAQs

Follow the MVP community on X and LinkedIn

Share your journey and encourage others to do the same

We can’t wait to see what you’ll build, and who you’ll help along the way.

My MVP Story: Finding My Way Into Data and Community - Deborah Jones’ Journey

BetsyWeber — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:30:33 GMT

In the world of data, some people learn tools - and some turn them into superpowers. Microsoft MVP Deborah Jones is firmly in the second category. She’s self-taught across Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and SharePoint, and she puts those skills to work in a high-stakes setting: a nuclear power plant in Canada. She also co-leads two user groups. Deborah’s story starts with a simple question: “What else can I do with data?”

MVP Deborah Jones helping an attendee find their community at the Microsoft AI Tour

From curiosity to capability

For Deborah, becoming a Microsoft MVP wasn’t about chasing a title - it followed naturally from curiosity, persistence, and a habit of helping others learn. “I honestly had never heard of the MVP program at all,” she said. “People kept saying, ‘You should be nominated,’ and I was like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’”

After years in project management and construction, she shifted into the nuclear industry as a reporting analyst and encountered Power BI almost by accident. A consultant told her, “I think this is going to blow up. You definitely need to learn this [Power BI]” - and she listened. Formal courses didn’t fully click at first, but hands-on practice (and real problems to solve) did.

Community turned learning into momentum

The turning point was community. During the pandemic, Deborah found and joined the Power BI Women user group - a judgment-free space where people shared what they knew. Over time, she went from showing up as a learner to helping lead the user group as a co-lead. “I was so surprised. I had never seen a community where people didn’t gatekeep information,” she said. “People were just sharing - asking questions, answering questions.”

At first, Deborah was the one asking. Over time, she became the one answering - sharing the real, non-linear experience of learning while working full time and raising a family. That authenticity resonated, especially with students and early-career professionals, and mentorship became a cornerstone of her community work.

From left to right – MVPs Samuel Gomez, Jack Lee, Betsy Weber (Microsoft), Deborah Jones, Harjit Dhaliwal, Christopher Gill at the Microsoft AI Tour

Leading with impact (and a clear mission)

As a Black woman in tech, Deborah is passionate about empowering others - mentoring new data professionals and helping people get unstuck when a report (or a career path) feels out of reach. Her mission is straightforward: make data accessible, useful, and empowering.

Like many MVPs, Deborah’s journey wasn’t a straight line. She first learned about the MVP program through the Power BI community, agreed to be nominated, and didn’t get accepted the first time. Instead of letting that moment stall her, she took guidance from fellow MVP Belinda Allen, who encouraged her to speak up about her work and impact: “You have to talk about yourself… and I got it.”

The MVP award itself didn’t fully click for her until she attended the MVP Summit. Before that, she said it could feel like “your face is on this little website” plus some perks. At Summit, the bigger purpose came into focus through the people: “Some of the people I met were just phenomenal,” she said - and suddenly, it all made sense. In that moment, she realized the point wasn’t the badge - it was the community behind it, and that’s exactly why she keeps showing up and giving back. Going in without expectations was part of the gift: it was a “good dry run” that let her experience the community without feeling like she had anything to prove.

That experience also reinforced how she thinks about recognition: it’s an added bonus, not the goal. As Deborah put it, “If I don’t get renewed… I did it twice. Just celebrate that.” - because either way, she’s going to keep doing the work she loves and giving back.

Deborah Jones finds her name on the MVP wall at MVP Summit

Practical, approachable solutions

Deborah is known for building practical tools that make everyday work easier - often small, incremental improvements that add up. “I’m not after the big flashy solution,” she laughed. “I like the little incremental stuff that just makes your day easier.”

Accessibility is central to her approach. She documents in plain language so others can understand and maintain what she builds, and she encourages learners to start with a dataset they genuinely enjoy - because curiosity sticks when it’s fun.

Deborah’s advice: start small, find your people, keep going

Deborah doesn’t offer a rigid roadmap. Her guidance comes down to a few habits that helped her build momentum - through curiosity, community, and small wins.

Start with what’s meaningful - and solve one small problem. “There’s no point in trying to dive into something big… there’s always a business problem you can solve, as little as you think it is.” She also recommends learning with data you actually enjoy: “Bring something that you’re interested in… something you’re passionate about.”
Find a community that shares openly (then participate). “I’ve never seen something where people didn’t gatekeep information so much… people were just talking, asking questions.” Those spaces helped her learn in public and eventually lead.
Make your work easy to follow - and keep going when it’s hard. “It shouldn’t be a mystery how I got from point A to point B.” And when momentum dips: “You’re going to have moments where you feel like giving up, but then it’s like - okay, what are you going to do next?”

Why MVP fits

Today, Deborah is a Microsoft MVP because she consistently shows up for others - sharing what she’s learning, building in public, and making technology feel more approachable. Her mission? To turn data into a superpower for all.

Learn more about Deborah and her community contributions on her MVP profile, connect with her on LinkedIn and consider joining the Power BI Women’s user group.

The Practical Path to Tech Leadership: How Women Can Turn Expertise Into Influence

kimsanchez — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:21:37 GMT

By Guest Blogger Sucheta Gawade

In recognition of International Women’s Day, I’d like to share practical, experience-based strategies women in tech can use to accelerate career growth, increase visibility, and overcome common advancement barriers.

I’m a U.S.-based technology leader with nearly two decades of experience building scalable solutions that manage and protect enterprise devices, apps, and data. Currently as Manager, Client Infrastructure Design at a large healthcare organization, I lead engineers delivering secure outcomes without sacrificing user productivity. I’m honored to have been recognized with the “Microsoft MVP” award, and Women Tech “Software Engineering Leader of the Year” Gold Award, in recent years.

In technical fields, leadership is built through trust, consistency, and outcomes. So, while we celebrate milestones on Women’s Day, here are the practical steps I rely on - steps that can help more women reach those milestones, too.

1) Own a Problem Space

Pick one area you can go deep in and become the person who makes it understandable. When people associate your name with clarity, opportunities find you. Choose a domain for the near short term, build a point of view (patterns, best practices, decision frameworks), and tie it to outcomes like risk reduction, adoption, or scale.

2) Turn Real Work into Public Learning

I’ve had the opportunity to speak at Microsoft Ignite and deliver technical sessions at leading tech conferences globally over the last few years. I encourage women to share reusable lessons from their workplace (without exposing sensitive details). Start with one real-world problem you’ve solved in your day job and turn it into a blog, a video, or a lightning talk. You don’t need a perfect story—you need one useful lesson that helps someone else.

3) Use Conference Speaking to Build Confidence

Don’t wait for confidence—use the stage to build it. I recommend starting with internal talks, meetups, or user groups, then scaling up to speaking at tech conferences—and reusing one strong session a few times while improving it with feedback.

Sucheta and other MVPs at MVP Summit 2025

4) Make Leadership Visible

A lot of women practice leadership already; they just don’t call it that. If you’re driving clarity, setting standards, mentoring others, or owning outcomes, that’s leadership. My suggestion: write the standard, own the runbook, mentor intentionally, and volunteer for “messy problems” where structure and clarity are the value.

5) Keep Learning and Show Your Work

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to earn a couple dozen IT certifications, and it’s shaped how I think about learning. I call credentials “structured learning.” Certifications aren’t just badges; they help you learn technology in the right way. I use Certifications and Applied Skills to stay sharp and to model a growth mindset for my team.

My view is simple: influence follows consistency. Community contribution can compound into recognition, but the usefulness of your contributions comes first. Don’t wait for an invitation. Start contributing, start teaching, and start leading - your credibility will follow your consistency and put you on the path to technology leadership

Connect with Sucheta

Connect with Sucheta on LinkedIn

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What helped you take your first step toward technical leadership?
Are you sharing your expertise with your community yet?

If you’re considering your own MVP journey, explore the MVP nomination process, follow the Microsoft MVP community on LinkedIn and X, and start telling your story! Your experience might be exactly what someone else needs.

💜 Happy International Women’s Day 2026

The Story of an Accidental MVP

kimsanchez — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:24:16 GMT

By Guest Blogger Scott Helmers

How I Became a Microsoft MVP by Accident

In the early 2000s I was part of a team of three people who were designing a new, data-focused style of business process map. We decided to build our software as an add-in to Microsoft Visio because the diagramming software was commonly used in so many business environments.

I was the lead geek of the three, so I needed to learn a lot about Visio to design the add-in. Prior to this project, I’d been a casual Visio user but had never had a reason to investigate Visio internals. Suddenly I needed to know about the Visio object model and how to write Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code to program Visio. Fast forward to the result: the product we created 20 years ago, TaskMap®, is still the fastest, easiest way to create data-rich process maps.

Finding Help Online—and Starting to Teach

In the early 2000s when we began our research, printed books were a primary knowledge source, along with a collection of relatively new tech-focused websites. I’d previously used a pioneering online tech community called Experts Exchange to get IT-related assistance, so that’s one of the places where I started posting questions. Sometimes I needed help with VBA, but mostly I needed to know how to program the Visio object model.

Between reading the available books, experimenting on my own, and Experts Exchange, it wasn’t long before I was answering more questions than I was asking. In typical fashion for me (an educator at heart!), my answers tended to be longer and more tutorial in nature and not just a quick sentence or two, so I guess they stood out a bit.

An MVP panel at Ignite

The Surprise Email: You’re an MVP

Apparently, someone noticed: In June of 2008, I received an email announcing that I’d been awarded as an MVP for Visio! There was only one problem: I’d never heard of the MVP program. I had no idea what the award meant. Fortunately, the welcome package helped me understand what I’d been invited to join.

My First MVP Summit

I vividly remember attending my first MVP Summit and walking into a large room with signs on tables announcing each award category. In the sea of tables, there was exactly one table for Visio and I felt more than a little bit shy about walking over to introduce myself to 10 people from all parts of the world, most of whom had been living in the Visio-verse much longer than I had. It was humbling. And energizing.

MVPs from left to right: Jimi Hong (MVP alumna), Michel Laplane, Senaj Lelic, Chris Roth, Scott Helmers, John Goldsmith, David Parker

What the MVP Community Opened Up for Me

Following that initial award, I have requalified seventeen times for which I am very grateful. From its peak of 14 or 15, the Visio MVP technology group, now part of M365 Apps and Services category, has shrunk to six and I’ve been privileged to share the designation with Senaj Lelic, Chris Roth, David Parker, John Goldsmith, and Michel Laplane.

The people I’ve met, the direct connection to the Visio product team at Microsoft, the opportunities I’ve had to speak at conferences around the world, write books, and create courses for LinkedIn Learning, are all a direct result of being an MVP. I might have accomplished some of those things without being an MVP, but the credential has played a significant role in opening doors and launching meaningful conversations.

I’ve gone from wondering what the MVP program was to appreciating it as one of the most significant parts of my professional life.

Many people seek out the MVP award, and I applaud their recognition of its significance and their drive to contribute to the community. For me, becoming an MVP was an accident of learning and then sharing critical knowledge.

I still have no idea who nominated me all those years ago, but I am eternally grateful!

You Can’t Become an MVP ‘By Accident’ Anymore

I should also add that it’s no longer possible to become an MVP “by accident.” Program rules require a nomination from a current MVP or a full-time Microsoft employee (FTE) and each nominee must share their community contributions as part of the nomination process. If you are interested in being nominated, ensure that you’re active – writing, speaking, podcasting, contributing code, running a user group – and work with a current MVP or Microsoft FTE.

Connect with Scott

You can connect with Scott on LinkedIn

From ESPN to the Spreadsheet Arena: How Excel MVPs Powered the Microsoft Excel World Championship

BetsyWeber — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:07:35 GMT

If you’ve ever watched someone do serious data work in Excel - building a model that feels like magic or using a perfectly crafted LAMBDA to do in one line what used to take a page of helper columns - you already understand the spirit of Excel esports. The Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC) turns that spirit into a live competition: timed “cases,” real-time leaderboards, and a crowd that cheers for spreadsheet moves the way sports fans cheer for a buzzer-beater.

At the 2025 MEWC Finals (held December 1–3, 2025 at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas), Microsoft MVPs showed up everywhere - on the broadcast desk, behind the scenes writing cases, and throughout the community sharing training tips and “inside tricks.” And in the biggest MVP moment of all, Excel MVP Diarmuid Early took home the world championship title.

“The Excel World Championship is a high-stakes, fast-paced competition where top Excel users from around the world solve complex, timed challenges using advanced formulas and strategies.” – MVP Oz du Soleil

Meet the Champion: MVP Diarmuid Early

Winning the Microsoft Excel World Championship isn’t about memorizing a few formulas - it’s about staying calm under pressure, translating messy scenarios into clean models, and finding the fastest path from question to answer. In 2025, that combination belonged to Diarmuid Early, who battled through a field of elite competitors and emerged as the Microsoft Excel World Champion.

One of the most MVP things about this win is what happened after the confetti: Diarmuid has been sharing how he thinks about cases and how he trains. If you want to learn by watching a world-class workflow end-to-end, start with his Road to Las Vegas 2025 video playlist, then check out his behind-the-scenes breakdown video, I won the Excel World Championship by folding Origami in a spreadsheet. It’s part engineering, part creativity - and 100% Excel.

Diarmuid’s story also illustrates the bigger point: Excel esports is community-powered. The same people who teach, write, and answer questions every day are the ones shaping the competition - whether they’re designing challenges, explaining strategies on-air, or helping new players level up. Here’s a look at how MVPs helped make MEWC 2025 happen.

MVP Giles Male (left) and MVP Oz du Soleil (right) in the commentary booth, breaking down the action at the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Championship (MECC) 2025. Photo credit: Giles Male

On the mic: MVPs bringing Excel esports to the world

“I was leaning over the commentators balcony looking out at hundreds of Excel fanatics who had travelled to Vegas to watch other people battle it out on spreadsheets… I just remember looking at Oz, and Oz looking at me, and he said '... we get to do this for a living?? I love my life'.” - MVP Giles Male

For many viewers, the first “wait… Excel has a world championship?” moment happens because MEWC is genuinely fun to watch - especially with experts translating the action in real time. MVPs have been front and center on the broadcast, providing commentary that balanced entertainment with the kind of technical clarity only seasoned Excel educators can deliver.

Oz du Soleil (Excel on Fire) is a long-time Excel educator known for making advanced concepts approachable - and for bringing serious storyteller energy. As an Excel esports commentator, Oz helps viewers understand not just what competitors are doing, but why their approach works (and when it doesn’t).
Giles Male (Full Stack Modeller) brings deep modeling credibility to the desk - and, as he’s shared, sometimes gets the call with almost no notice. That combination of expertise and adaptability is exactly what makes live Excel commentary work.
Jon Acampora (Excel Campus) is a familiar voice to many in the community, and his teaching-first mindset shows up perfectly in esports commentary: quick explanations, smart shortcuts, and a constant focus on helping viewers learn while they watch.
Tim Heng (Sum Product) adds both technical sharpness and audience-friendly pacing - calling out the “tiny” decisions that separate good solutions from great ones (keyboard efficiency, formula structure, and when to stop polishing and submit).

MVP Jon Acampora (left) and MVP Tim Heng (right) adding their commentary at the Microsoft Excel World Championship 2025. Photo credit: MVP Celia Alves

What makes MEWC different: cases, clocks, and commentary prep

“We get the cases a few days early so we can solve them ourselves - and then we map out how to explain the key moves, because the competition moves incredibly fast.” - MVP Oz du Soleil

MEWC challenges competitors with timed Excel “cases” - scenario-based problem sets where accuracy, speed, and strategy all matter. The Finals are streamed on YouTube (and have also appeared on ESPN’s The Ocho), which means the broadcast must serve two audiences at once: hardcore Excel nerds who want to see the formula choices, and curious newcomers who just want to understand why the leaderboard is moving so fast. That’s where MVP commentary shines.

As MVPs like Oz and Giles have shared, the commentary team typically receives cases in advance, works through solutions, and plans how to explain the key decision points - because once the clock starts, competitors can be done before you’ve even finished reading the question.

“I was asked to step in 48 hours before the finals commenced. Which meant I had to try to learn all 9 battle cases in two days… this was all very intense, nerve-wracking, but just an amazing experience and opportunity overall.” - MVP Giles Male

Behind the scenes: MVPs designing the puzzles (and sharing the playbook)

Great esports needs great “maps.” In MEWC, that means cases that are tricky, fair, and fun - designed to reward strong spreadsheet fundamentals and creative approaches. Several MVPs contribute to the ecosystem that makes those cases possible, including MVPs David Brown, David Fortin Giles Male, Klinsmann Langhanz, Renier Wessels, and Tim Heng who create Excel challenge cases for the competition and for practice.

And then there’s the part you can’t put on a scoreboard: the ongoing sharing culture. Around every battle, MVPs and community experts swap approaches, publish walkthroughs, break down solutions on YouTube, and teach the mental models that help competitors get faster. That might look like a new keyboard shortcut habit, a reusable “personal LAMBDA collection,” or a clever way to structure a model so you can answer six questions without rebuilding your logic six times.

Why it matters (beyond bragging rights)

Excel is one of the most widely used technology platforms on the planet - and yet many people still underestimate what it can do (or what great Excel users can do with it). MEWC puts advanced spreadsheet skills on a public stage and makes them legible: you can see the tradeoffs, the patterns, the creativity, and the discipline. When MVPs are involved at multiple levels - broadcasting, designing, teaching, competing - it sends a clear signal: this is a real craft, and the community around it is generous with knowledge.

“Excel [is] the one tool that almost everyone has had to use at some stage in their career… 95% of the conversations I have with people who don’t know about it start with ‘No way… that exists??’ And then you start watching, and it’s just fascinating to see what a top Excel esport player can actually do.” - MVP Giles Male

Microsoft Excel World Championship Award Ceremony. Photo credit: MVP Giles Male

Watch it, learn from it, then try it

Want to watch before you try it yourself? You’ve got two great options: a quick recap, or the full multi-hour deep dive.

Highlights: Microsoft Excel World Championship 2025 Finals Highlights (12:43)
Full competition: Microsoft Excel World Championship 2025 – Finals (4:00:54)

And, if you’re thinking “My Excel skills aren’t enough,” that’s actually the perfect place to start - because you improve by doing cases, reviewing solutions, and iterating. You can jump in through Excel Esports Online, and explore practice material with sample cases (free) and case studies (fee). Many competitors (including MVPs) also share solution walkthroughs - often complete with explanations and reusable formulas.

The pipeline is real: MECC and the next generation of Excel athletes

One of the most exciting parts of the Excel esports story is how quickly it’s building a next-gen talent pipeline. Alongside MEWC is the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC), a global competition for college students created by Excel MVP David Brown. It’s an on-ramp for students who want to test their skills, meet the community, and learn in public.

If you haven’t read it yet, here’s a great starting point: From the Classroom to Las Vegas: MVP David Brown and the Excel Esports Revolution. Together, MECC and MEWC show how Excel learning can be both rigorous and genuinely fun - whether you’re a student, a seasoned analyst, or someone who loves discovering a cleaner way to write the same logic.

Join the Excel community (and learn from the MVPs)

Whether you watched MEWC on ESPN, caught a highlights clip on YouTube, or you’re quietly building a practice workbook at 1 a.m., the best part of Excel esports is that it’s welcoming. You don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to be curious - then practice, learn, and repeat.

“To future competitors: just start. Don’t wait… You get better by competing. So just get stuck in, and learn from the early experiences which we all have to work through!” - MVP Giles Male

If you want to sharpen your skills, trade ideas with other spreadsheet nerds, and learn directly from the people who teach the world’s best Excel techniques, join the Excel community and connect with our Excel MVPs. Start by exploring the championship home base at the Microsoft Excel World Championship website, try a few cases, and then share what you learned - because the fastest way to level up is to learn together.

Spotlight: Top 10 MVP Theater Sessions from Microsoft Ignite

kimsanchez — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:28:33 GMT

The Top 10 MVP Theater Sessions — Now On Demand

Every year, Microsoft Ignite brings together some of the brightest minds in our global community and our Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) continue to play a major role. This year, MVPs once again stepped up to deliver high impact Theater sessions packed with real world expertise, practical demos, and a true passion for helping others, and the kind of energy only community leaders can bring.

As part of our continued commitment to amplify community voices, we invited a group of 10 MVPs to record their 25-minute Theater sessions from Microsoft Ignite. We’re excited to share these publicly, as Theater sessions are usually only delivered in person. Now the global community can learn from the insights MVPs shared in San Francisco no matter what time zone you’re in. Check out the playlist here.

Microsoft Ignite featured Theater sessions from 20 MVPs across a variety of subjects. Every MVP speaker contributed tremendous value to Microsoft Ignite, and this selection simply represents a cross section of standout topics we’re thrilled to make more widely accessible.

Whether you’re exploring Microsoft 365, Copilot adoption, security, governance, developer tools, or emerging AI patterns, there’s something here for every technical professional.

Why These Sessions Matter

MVP-led Theater sessions consistently score among the highest rated and most attended Theater sessions at Microsoft Ignite, reflecting the community’s appreciation for practical solutions, honest learnings, and direct experience from the field. This video collection brings that same value into an easy, shareable format that supports year-round skilling and community knowledge sharing.

These videos are perfect to:

Share in your user groups and community meetups
Use for team training or upskilling
Bookmark for reference as you adopt the latest Microsoft technologies
Learn directly from experienced practitioners solving real problems in real environments

Thank you to our MVP Community

We want to extend our gratitude to every MVP and Regional Director who presented, staffed, attended or otherwise contributed to the success of Microsoft Ignite. The impact of your expertise reaches far beyond a single event; you help thousands of people level up their skills and stay ahead of what’s next.

We can’t wait to see how you use these videos in your communities around the world.

MVP Presenting at Ignite

Resources

The full playlist is available on YouTube.

YellowHat 2026: the ultimate Defender’s gathering

kimsanchez — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:39:11 GMT

By Guest Blogger: Marteen Goet

Level 400+ content: no fluff, just tech

With 250 attendees in person and thousands more tuning in worldwide, we explored the absolute cutting edge of Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft Entra. True to the mission, YellowHat skipped the basics to tackle the most advanced challenges in cybersecurity head-on.

YellowHat swag

The agenda was packed with 8+ hours of expert sessions designed to arm defenders with actionable knowledge, including:

"The Future of AI for Security": The Microsoft Security CTO Office kicked off the event by examining how GenAI is transforming the modern SOC.

"Inside MDE Telemetry": A unique collaboration between Security MVP Olaf Hartong and Microsoft's Saar Cohen, giving a rare look "under the hood" of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint’s data collection.
"The Rise of Agentic Defense": Microsoft's Corina Feuerstein explored the critical future of automated defense as AI reshapes the landscape.
"AiTM in the Wild": Speakers shared two years of real-world monitoring data on Adversary-in-the-Middle attacks, revealing rare insights into attacker tradecraft.

Attendees enjoying Capture the Flag.

The thrill of the hunt: Capture the Flag

Created by Security MVP Mehmet Ergene, this year's CTF put participants directly in the shoes of threat hunters and incident responders. The challenge tested their ability to investigate logs, expose kill chains, and hunt for TTPs across a realistic data cluster—all while mastering Microsoft Defender and KQL. A massive salute to the top Ninjacats:

🥇 1st Place: The KQLinators (Otto van Wieringen & Niek van Gastel).
🥈 2nd Place: The Collective Consulting.
🥉 3rd Place: Petter Sandholdt (secimit).

Want to see if AI could solve the CTF? Check out the write-up by Security MVP Nicola Suter on using Microsoft Fabric Real-Time Intelligence (RTI) during the event.

Community powered protection

YellowHat 2026 speakers.

Just as construction workers wear yellow hard hats for safety, YellowHat attendees wear theirs to symbolize their vital role as defenders. They come together to build and protect their enterprises.

This incredible event was powered by a lineup of dedicated community leaders, including Maarten Goet (MVP an RD), Jeroen Niesen (MVP), Koos Goossens (MVP), Fabian Bader (MVP), Myron Helgering (MVP), Olaf Hartong (MVP), Rhesa Baar (Microsoft), and Tom Rolvers.

What’s next?

YellowHat 2026 was bigger and bolder than ever, but we are just getting started. The team is already looking toward Yellow Hat 2027 with plans to expand our global reach and continue delivering the deep technical content you crave!

Celebrating Community and Curiosity at Swetugg Stockholm 2026

alicepiras — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:20:19 GMT

Every February, Swetugg transforms Stockholm into a vibrant gathering place for developers, architects, cloud practitioners, and community builders from across the Nordics and beyond. The 2026 edition continued that tradition with even more energy, deeper technical conversations, and an unmistakable sense of belonging—one that mirrors the very spirit of the Microsoft MVP community.

As a long-running grassroots conference built by developers for developers, Swetugg is a space where curiosity fuels everything. This year brought together local user groups, first‑time speakers, seasoned MVP experts, and community members eager to explore new possibilities across the Microsoft ecosystem.

Though rooted in Sweden’s tech scene, Swetugg has grown into a truly global touchpoint. Attendees traveled from across Scandinavia and Europe, highlighting how interconnected and collaborative our developer communities have become.

Real‑world insights, engaged audience — hands‑on learning at Swetugg Stockholm 2026.

MVPs at Swetugg: Driving Knowledge, Inclusion, and Innovation

One of the most inspiring parts of Swetugg is seeing how many MVPs take the stage—not only to deliver top-tier technical sessions but also to uplift emerging voices.

From talks on .NET performance tuning to practical Azure governance patterns to real‑world demonstrations of AI tooling, MVPs showcased the value of hands-on, experience-driven learning. But what resonated even more deeply was the emphasis on sharing the stage: inviting newer speakers into panels, amplifying diverse perspectives, and creating mentoring moments throughout the hallway track.

Curiosity in action. Developers, architects, and community builders coming together at Swetugg Stockholm 2026 to learn, share, and connect.

MVP Barbara Forbes: “Swetugg combines strong technical content with a very warm community feeling. Very impressive when the weather is freezing!”

Hands-On Learning: The Heart of Swetugg

True to its developer‑first roots, Swetugg goes far beyond traditional presentations. Deep‑dive sessions, live demos, and spontaneous hallway troubleshooting gave attendees the chance to explore ideas in depth, experiment, and learn directly from one another.

MVPs played a pivotal role here—jumping into live demos, offering real world guidance, and helping participants break down complex challenges into actionable next steps.

Looking Ahead: Who Will Share Their Story Next?

If you left Swetugg feeling inspired, wondering how you can contribute more visibly to the tech community, that spark is exactly how many MVP stories begin. So we invite you to ask yourself:
What’s your community story—and who might it inspire next? Whether you're thinking about nominating someone for the MVP Award, stepping on stage for the first time, or sharing your first tutorial online, your voice matters. And events like Swetugg show how powerful it can be when shared.

Nominate an MVP
Follow the MVP Program on LinkedIn
Explore the MVP community on X

My MVP Story: Nathalie Leenders’ Journey From Salon Chair to Solution Builder

BetsyWeber — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:56:51 GMT

Some career pivots happen slowly. Others arrive with the force of a hairdryer on “max.” For MVP Nathalie Leenders, the leap from hairdresser to IT - and eventually to Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Business Applications - started with a straightforward realization: hairdressing is physically demanding work, and she could feel it catching up with her. She loved the craft and the people, but she also knew she couldn’t ignore what the long hours on her feet, repetitive motions, and strain on her shoulders were telling her: this wasn’t going to be sustainable forever.

Instead of treating that moment like an ending, Nathalie treated it like an invitation. An invitation to learn, to rebuild, and to follow the trail of curiosity that had been quietly showing up all along - like the time the PCs at her hairdressing school broke and she was the one who could actually fix them (and couldn’t quite understand why everyone else was stuck staring at the error message).

Today, Nathalie is recognized across the Power Platform community for her work with Power Automate and Power Apps, her passion for sharing what she learns, and her commitment to making tech feel welcoming - especially for people who don’t see themselves as “technical.” Spoiler: she’s not allowed to say that about herself anymore. (Her husband has officially vetoed it.)

This is Nathalie’s MVP story - told the way she lives it: friendly, brave, and powered by a “why not?” mindset.

From the salon to IT: a reinvention powered by curiosity

In her second year of hairdressing school, Nathalie realized the physical demands of the job were already taking a toll. “This already hurts my shoulders,” she remembered - an honest moment that sparked an even braver question: What else could I do?

That question led her to an open day at a technical school. She signed up, dove-in, and completed an IT support-focused program - learning the fundamentals by doing the work.

And then - true to her “jump in head-first” style - she landed in a role that quickly expanded her world. Nathalie was placed as a temporary service manager at an accountancy company, working in ITIL, change management, escalation management, and even training teams abroad. Before long, she was leading VIP support as an on-site support manager in the Netherlands… and learning firsthand that responsibility can arrive quickly (and feel heavy). “I almost got burned out by that at 22,” she shared.

After stepping back into roles like help desk and second-line support, Nathalie kept following the thread that had always pulled her forward: making work easier. She also got intentional about skilling up - using Microsoft Learn (including the Microsoft Learn Challenges), working toward Microsoft Certifications, and learning in public the way so many makers do: through YouTube deep-dives and the steady stream of community content (blog posts, videos, and walkthroughs) shared by people who love to teach.

When HR needed a volunteer-day sign-up process, she learned SharePoint Designer workflows and forms. When global service desk reporting needed clarity, she built Power BI dashboards. And when she spotted an opportunity on an automation team, it was like everything clicked: this was the kind of problem-solving she wanted more of. That’s how the Power Platform became her home base - not through a perfectly mapped plan, but through real-world needs, one workflow at a time.

MVP Lindsay Shelton and MVP Nathalie Leenders speaking at thePower Platform Community Conference

The community moment: “Be courageous” (and take the empty seat)

Nathalie didn’t “discover the community” through a grand announcement or a formal onboarding. For a long time, she thought the community was simply that place online where people asked Microsoft questions and helpful strangers answered.

Then her company sent her to the very first Power Platform Community Conference in Orlando - and suddenly the “helpful strangers” had names, faces, and a whole room full of energy. She met community leaders and MVPs she’d only seen online, spotted previously on a live Microsoft 365 & Power Platform Community Call, and thought: That sounds interesting… why not?

Her employer had a tagline: Be courageous. Nathalie decided to take it seriously. She saw an empty seat next to MVP Hugo Bernier, asked if she could sit there, and they talked for an hour and a half. That single “courage” moment turned into a mentorship and friendship that helped her learn how the community works - how to shape sessions, share ideas, and show up consistently. In time, Hugo would also nominate her for the Microsoft MVP award.

From 30 people to 900: learning to speak (even when it’s scary)

If you’re waiting for the moment you feel “ready” to speak, Nathalie has some gentle news: the nerves don’t magically disappear. You just get better at walking on stage anyway.

Her first talk happened because she listened closely. At a local user group (Power Addicts NL), someone mentioned they’d love to learn about Microsoft Teams Adaptive Cards. Nathalie had just worked with them and thought, Wait… I can do that. So she did - speaking in front of about 30 people who were supportive, curious, and cheering her on.

What happened next reads like a six-month montage: conference in September, user group speaking in October and November, a community call in December, her first international gig in Tallinn, Estonia in January - and then the MVP award in March. “A whirlwind… a roller coaster of emotions,” she said, and you can almost hear her smiling through the chaos.

Nathalie Leenders speaking to a room of 900 people at the Power Platform Community Conference

Fast forward, and Nathalie found herself speaking to a room of roughly 900 people at the Power Platform Community Conference. Her inner monologue? Equal parts excitement and disbelief: “It’s still scary,” she admitted. But she also reminded herself of something important: you don’t have to be “somebody special” to share something useful. You just have to show up and help.

Imposter syndrome? Yes. Every time. (And that’s okay.)

When asked about imposter syndrome, Nathalie didn’t hesitate: she feels it “every single time” she’s in public. The trick isn’t to pretend it’s not there - it’s to reframe what “success” looks like.

The best advice she ever received was simple: if you help one person in the room, you’ve done enough. Maybe someone learns from Microsoft Cloud Advocate April Dunnam’s video. Maybe someone learns from MVP Luise Freese’s blog post. And maybe someone needs the same concept explained with Nathalie’s wording, her pacing, her examples. “If I do it in a slightly different way and it resonates with somebody, then that’s it,” she said.

That “one person” mindset shows up in practical ways, too. Even at local events in the Netherlands, Nathalie often presents in English - because if there’s one person in the room who only speaks English, the group switches. Small choice. Big signal: you belong here.

Mentorship, in both directions

Mentorship is a theme that runs through Nathalie’s story long before the MVP award. Before she even knew the Power Platform community existed, a person from Nigeria reached out to her on LinkedIn asking for guidance. Nathalie did what she always does: she showed up thoughtfully, verified it was legitimate, and then invested in the relationship. For about a year and a half, they met regularly to talk about certifications, career moves, and how to stand out in a crowded job market.

She’s also been on the receiving end of mentorship in a big way - at a previous company, she was mentored by a leader who was promoted to CIO during their mentorship. Experiences like that shaped how Nathalie thinks about “giving back”: it’s not a slogan. It’s a practice. Sometimes it’s a formal mentorship. Sometimes it’s answering a question, sharing a sample, or helping someone find their next step.

Want to get involved? Start small - and start today

If you’re reading this thinking, Okay… but how do I even begin? Nathalie’s answer is refreshingly low-pressure: join the Microsoft 365 & Power Platform Community Calls. Pop into a weekly call. Try a monthly call. Lurk if you want. Ask questions when you’re ready. “Just join the calls, just have fun,” she said. “And if you don’t enjoy them - perfectly fine.”

Curious about speaking? There are mentorship/buddy programs designed to help first-time presenters take that leap. And even if speaking isn’t your goal, those calls are an incredible way to see what others are building. Nathalie still joins whenever she can - because every week someone shares a “new trick,” and she’ll often bring that inspiration back to her client work (with full credit to the original creator, of course).

MVP Nathalie Leenders speaking at the Power Platform Community Conference

Balance is part of the build

Behind the scenes, Nathalie is intentional about sustainability. She looks for ways to combine efforts - turning a talk into a blog post, or aligning community work with moments she’s already “in content mode.” She also protects her personal calendar. If she’s sick, she reschedules (even if she really wanted to be there). And while her employer supports community engagement during work hours when possible, she’s mindful about not making late-night calls and weekend sessions the default.

Parting advice from Nathalie: go for it (and have fun along the way)

Whether you’re considering a career change, exploring the Power Platform, or quietly wondering if you could ever become an MVP, Nathalie’s advice is the same: don’t be afraid to go for it. If you try something and it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. And you’ll learn something you couldn’t have learned any other way.

Ten years ago, she never would have pictured this version of her life: international speaker, blogger, solution builder, and MVP. But that’s the thing about reinvention - you can’t map the whole journey from the starting point. You just take the next brave step… and keep going.

Connect with Nathalie: You can learn more about Nathalie on her Microsoft MVP profile and at her website: blog.nathalieleenders.com.

Celebrating Community Impact at Scale: Workplace Ninja Finland Hosts Its Biggest Live Event Yet

kimsanchez — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Workplace Ninja Finland User Group has reached an exciting milestone, hosting its third—and largest—live event since its relaunch two years ago. Bringing together nearly 150 IT professionals, MVPs, and community contributors, the event in November 2025 showcased the growing appetite for in‑person technical learning and reaffirmed Finland's vibrant role in the global Workplace Ninja community.

A Community Rebuilt Through Passion and Collaboration

The group’s journey is rooted in resilience. What once began as an active Facebook community went quiet during the pandemic, reflecting a shared global pause. But two years ago, a team of Finnish MVPs and dedicated volunteers reignited the initiative under the global Workplace Ninja brand. Their vision: to create an open, inclusive, and constantly evolving space for IT professionals. Today, that vision has blossomed.

1,800+ followers engage with the community on LinkedIn
381 members connect daily on Discord—exchanging ideas, asking questions, and helping one another troubleshoot
Webinar recordings on YouTube and session materials on GitHub ensure that learning reaches beyond the room

This multichannel approach has become a model of accessible, community‑driven knowledge sharing.

A Two‑Day Event Powered by Global Expertise

Hosted at a campus in East Helsinki, the event drew speakers from across Europe. International MVPs—Jörgen Nilsson, Ronni Pedersen, Morten Nilsen, and Kent Agerlund—joined Finnish MVPs Petri Paavola, Panu Saukko, and Pavel Mirochnitchenko to deliver deep‑dive sessions on topics ranging from the Intune community toolbox to practical Zero Trust deployments.

True to the community’s ethos, the event also welcomed non‑MVP speakers, giving user group members space to highlight their own journeys, challenges, and technical insights. This openness helps cultivate new voices and supports the MVP Program’s commitment to diversity and local leadership.

Outstanding Feedback Reflecting High Impact

Attendee responses were overwhelmingly positive, with most presentation ratings landing above 4.5 out of 5—an impressive outcome for a free, fully community‑run event. Participants highlighted the mix of expert deep dives, lighter sessions, and the value of networking:

“I learned something from every session… This is really doing good for endpoint administrators.”
“The open mindset to share best practices is priceless.”
“Great combination of formats and the best part was the new contacts and discussions.”

Encouraged by this success, the organizers are already planning their next event for 2026—with a focus on continued growth and even more opportunities for community participation.

The People Who Made It Happen

Events like this stand on the shoulders of passionate volunteers. Special thanks to the event crew—Petri Paavola, Panu Saukko, Pavel Mirochnitchenko, Teemu Tiainen, Mikko Järvinen, and Kimmo Pitkänen—whose dedication and teamwork exemplify the spirit of the MVP and Workplace Ninja communities.

Organizers of the event from left to right: Petri, Panu, Mikko, Kimmo, Pavel, Teemu

Join the Story

This event is a testament to what happens when enthusiasts, experts, and curious learners come together with a shared mission: to uplift each other and strengthen the global workplace technology community.

What’s your community story? Interested in contributing or speaking at a future event?

Let us know in the comments—or learn more about the MVP Program and how you can nominate someone making an impact in your local tech community.