Microsoft MVP Program Blog articles

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.

My MVP Story: How a 12+ Year MVP Veteran Sparked a Nationwide AI Movement in Vietnam

kimsanchez — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:00:00 GMT

By Guest Blogger Trong Manh Nguyen

The Spark: Becoming an MVP

When I first received the Microsoft MVP Award twelve years ago, I had no idea how much it would shape my professional and personal journey.

Even as a student, I loved sharing knowledge — creating step-by-step, hands-on guides to help others learn new technologies. Back then, I was just an IT professional passionate about troubleshooting Windows Server and teaching others through practical, real-world examples.

Over time, that early passion grew into a lifelong mission: to empower people through technology and learning.

This mission later led me to co-found Master Learning Hub Academy, a Microsoft Global Training Partner in Vietnam dedicated to helping learners and organizations master Microsoft technologies in meaningful ways.

Launching AI Fridays 2025

In early 2025, my team and I at Master Learning Hub Academy launched AI Fridays 2025, a free, six-week nationwide learning series designed to make Microsoft AI more approachable and practical for everyone.

We wanted to celebrate Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary not just with words, but through action — by giving back to the community and enabling people across Vietnam to experience the power of Microsoft Copilot and AI firsthand.

Each Friday, we hosted interactive online sessions with live demos, hands-on labs, and open discussions on how AI can transform learning and work. Participants included students, educators, and business professionals from across the country.

A Small Idea Becomes a Nationwide Movement

What started as a small community idea quickly became a movement. Over 1,400 participants joined us live across six sessions, with nearly 250 engaged learners per session.

We saw teachers redesigning lessons with AI, professionals experimenting with AI Builder, and executives exploring how Copilot could enhance productivity and creativity within their organizations.

Trong Manh Nguyen and the Mater Learning Hub Academy team hosted one of the live sessions in the AI Foundry 2025 series - a nationwide, free learning initiative that brought together hundreds of professionals, educators, and students across Vietnam to explore the power of Microsoft AI and Copilot technologies.

From Inspiration to Adoption

The most inspiring outcome came after the series ended — when many corporate attendees expressed strong interest in Microsoft Copilot and AI integration.
These conversations showed us that the learning series had sparked genuine curiosity and confidence in adopting Microsoft technologies, bridging the gap between inspiration and action.

For us at Master Learning Hub Academy, this was a defining moment — proof that education-led community engagement can create real, lasting impact for Microsoft’s ecosystem in Vietnam.

Through programs like AI Fridays, we’ve seen how community-driven learning can spark curiosity, inspire innovation, and create real impact — not just for individuals, but for the Microsoft community as a whole.

What This Taught Me as an MVP

After twelve years as an MVP, I’ve learned that our greatest power isn’t just technical expertise — it’s the ability to connect, inspire, and empower others.

AI Fridays became more than a learning program — it became a bridge between passion and purpose, between local learners and global innovation.
It reminded me that when communities thrive, Microsoft’s mission — “to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more” — truly comes to life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create lasting impact as an MVP, start with your community. A single idea — shared with passion and purpose — can ripple across classrooms, organizations, and entire nations. As Microsoft enters its next 50 years, our mission as MVPs is clearer than ever: to inspire, educate, and empower.

At Master Learning Hub, we believe that when learning becomes a movement, innovation follows — and the world moves forward, together.

Front middle: Trong Manh Nguyen, Microsoft MVP from Vietnam, joined fellow community leaders at the Microsoft Learn booth during MVP Summit 2025 - celebrating global collaboration and learning.

Resources

Event: AI Fridays 2025 – Official Photo Highlights
Organization: Master Learning Hub Academy
Profile: Microsoft MVP Profile – Trong Nguyen

Author Bio

Trong Manh Nguyen is a Microsoft MVP in Cloud & Datacenter Management and the Training Director and Co-founder of Master Learning Hub Academy, a Microsoft Global Training Partner in Vietnam. He is the longest-serving MVP in Vietnam, with more than twelve consecutive years of recognition.

Through Master Learning Hub, he empowers professionals, educators, and organizations to adopt Microsoft technologies and AI with confidence and creativity.

MVPs Global Student Innovation: Sprint to Imagine Cup 2026

SoyoungLee — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:08:10 GMT

Introduction

Microsoft MVPs played a pivotal role in igniting student creativity through Sprint to Imagine Cup 2026 engagements. These community-driven sessions brought Agentic AI, Azure AI, and Copilot Studio directly to universities and developer communities across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. In many regions with limited access to advanced AI technologies, MVPs bridged the gap through mentorship, hands-on learning, and inspiring demonstrations. What began as local sprints evolved into a global movement democratizing innovation and empowering thousands of students to build their first AI-powered solutions.

Excited students who embraced the major challenge of the AI Journey during one of the Sprint to Imagine Cup events in India.

Story

This year’s Sprint to Imagine Cup journey reached diverse countries and communities—including India, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, South Africa, Denmark, Spain, Peru, and participants from around the world joining virtually. Every location brought forward inspiring stories of resilience, curiosity, and transformation.

In India, MVP Augustine Correa led a 1,000 km tour from Mumbai to Mangaluru. Remote colleges without air conditioning, long travel distances, and high heat did not stop students from attending. Live coding errors became teachable moments as Augustine used AI Agents to collaborate with students, debug code, and accelerate project velocity. Many students left with working prototypes and their first GitHub pull requests.

Students are learning about Agentic AI and Copilot Studio at the sprints for the Imagine Cup in Bangalore

During the Mumbai session at the Microsoft office, student Ajinkya Furange reflected:

“Thrilled to share that I successfully took on the first big challenge of my AI journey… This hands‑on workshop boosted my confidence to build impactful AI-driven solutions.”

Another participant, Mitansh Jadhav, added:

“One of the most eye‑opening concepts was seeing the AI Agent’s decision-making loop in action… We were challenged to solve five labs using Copilot, perfectly simulating real-world problem solving.”

In Bangalore and Chennai, MVP Mohamed Azarudeen hosted two Sprint sessions with 250 and 120 participants. Students refined ideas, clarified Imagine Cup pathways, and built early-stage AI projects. Students frequently shared how the sprint turned “I have an idea” into “I know how to move forward.”

MVP Gulnaz hosted 10 Sprint to Imagine Cup event across Pakistan

Across Pakistan and Nepal, MVPs delivered AI workshops on Azure AI, Foundry, Copilot Studio, and Responsible AI—often serving as students’ first exposure to advanced AI technologies. MVP Gulnaz Mushtaq in Pakistan hosted ten Sprint events across major university hubs including Peshawar, Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Nepal’s innovation culture continued as MVP Pradeep Kandel led the Kathmandu Ideathon, engaging 150–200 students from 70 universities. The event strengthened idea development, mentorship pairing, and preparation for Imagine Cup 2026.

Also, MVPs Heo Soek, Inhee Lee and Jaeseok Lee in Korea led a successful Sprint at Microsoft Office Seoul allowing students to explore AI startup concepts. A student participant from Korea shared:

“In this fast-changing AI era, I was unsure about my direction… but this event helped me understand what kind of talent I should become and find clarity.”

Another female student team from a regional Korean university said:

“We will prepare for Imagine Cup together—thank you for giving us this opportunity.”

Korean university students are exploring AI startup concepts at Microsoft Office Seoul

A Korean attendee added:

“Even though the workshop lasted more than six hours, it was never boring—well‑timed hands‑on labs and activities kept it both fun and meaningful.”

In Europe, MVP Thomas Martinsen (Denmark) and MVP Roberto Corella (Spain) expanded the movement with sessions on Copilot extensibility and AI for Business Central. Latin American MVPs Jorge Castaneda, Meerali Naseet and Juan Rafael delivered cybersecurity and Spanish-language AI workshops supporting students across Peru and Costa Rica.

Impact Insights

Global impact from Sprint to Imagine Cup 2026 has been broad and profound. A total of 70 worldwide events reached an estimated 4,200–5,000 students globally. More than 3,300–4,000 learners engaged directly with Microsoft AI tools such as Azure AI Services, Copilot Studio, and Foundry Agents.

Across all regions, 65% of participants attended in-person while 35% joined through online or hybrid formats, including Spanish-language virtual events in Latin America. Social media amplified momentum as students shared prototypes, learnings, and excitement on LinkedIn and X using hashtags such as #SprintToImagineCup, #ImagineCup, #MumTechUp, and #HMNOV25. Many students shared sentiments similar to:

Students are learning Agentic AI in the Sprint to Imagine Cup in Europe

“The meeting was very informative and inspiring. I learned a lot about the competition and technologies involved, and I’m excited to begin this journey.”

and

“Thank you so much… your explanation made everything easier to understand. Looking forward to attending more sessions!”

Call to Action / Closing

The global Sprint to Imagine Cup movement demonstrates that innovation thrives when community leaders uplift new creators. MVPs are equipping students with the skills, confidence, and AI fluency needed to build solutions for the future. As the Imagine Cup 2026 season continues, now is the perfect time for MVPs and community leaders to host sessions, mentor teams, and amplify student stories—helping shape the next generation of AI innovators.

Resources

Microsoft Learn – Azure AI: https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/ai

Microsoft Copilot Studio: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-copilot-studio

GitHub Agentic AI Samples: https://github.com/microsoft

Imagine Cup Official Site: https://imaginecup.microsoft.com

Inside CodeMash 2026: A Geek Family Reunion (Powered by Microsoft MVPs)

BetsyWeber — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 04:22:25 GMT

Every January, developers from across the world head to CodeMash at the Kalahari Resort in Ohio, US - equal parts deep technical learning and community warmth. It’s the kind of event where you park your car, stay onsite for days, and the hallway conversations become the main track. For me, it feels like a geek family reunion: you don’t just meet people - you really get to know and connect with them.

That community is also why Microsoft MVPs travel so far to be here - from Washington and Arizona to Texas, Ontario (Canada), Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and beyond. In 2026, MVPs delivered 30 sessions and workshops, and many also volunteered behind the scenes - helping with speaker selection, conference operations, and efforts that keep CodeMash welcoming.

Here are a few moments and reflections that captured CodeMash this year - from snowy travel stories to sessions that sparked “I’m trying this on Monday” energy, to the offstage conversations that turn conference acquaintances into real friends.

Microsoft MVP meet-up at the CodeMash 2026 conference

MVP impact: on stage, behind the scenes, and in the hallways

CodeMash is packed with great talks, but what makes it stick is how the community shows up for each other. This year, Microsoft MVPs covered cloud, AI, security, data, and developer tools - and also gave back through volunteer leadership, from helping with speaker/session selection to supporting safety and inclusion. That mix of strong content plus shared ownership is what turns a conference into a community.

CodeMash also brings families along for the ride. KidzMash is a free family track where kids learn by building - plus hands-on time in the Maker Space (soldering, CAD/3D design, electronics labs, and more). It’s a reminder that the curiosity that fuels great engineering can start early.

It’s hard to explain CodeMash without talking about the “everything else.” MVP Sam Basu put it best: “Codemash has always been a special place to see old friends and make new ones.” And MVP Robert Fornal captured the returning-attendee feeling in one line: “The energy of the conference is amazing… there’s always something new to see and learn.”

MVP Sam Basu presenting "Design to Code for .NET Developers"

Voices from CodeMash: the stories behind the sessions

Ask anyone why they came to CodeMash, and you’ll hear the same themes - community, learning, and that unique “park once and stay awhile” rhythm. Of course, first you have to get there - which in January often means snow.
MVP Joseph Guadagno flew in from Arizona and shared, “It’s been a really long time since I’ve driven in the snow.” He still made the trip for the people—especially the Midwest community he doesn’t see as often: “The event is definitely worth it.”

MVP Mike Benkovich had an appropriately wintery travel tale: “Going thru Cleveland to get to Sandusky was an adventure… we got the full effects of drifting snow, but we made it.” His verdict after arriving: “Highly recommended!”

MVP James Petty presenting at his workshop, "Stop Clicking, Start Scripting: PowerShell for Real People"

MVP James Petty told me CodeMash has turned into a tradition: “Honestly? CodeMash has become our family vacation tradition.” And yes, they learned the hard way not to ignore the forecast: “We… tried to leave during Thursday’s snowstorm - not our smartest move.”

Why MVPs Come to CodeMash

CodeMash is built for builders - and the MVP sessions leaned hard into practical, hands-on takeaways - from AI and cloud to security, data, and developer productivity. The best talks weren’t just interesting; they were the kind that send you home with a plan (and a backlog) for next week.

MVP Jake Hildreth presenting, “PKI Unlocked: A No-Math Primer for Builders”

MVP Jake Hildreth shared he wasn’t sure his topic would fit a dev-heavy conference—until it did: “I always felt like my special interest… was a little too niche.” After a strong reaction to an earlier talk, he pitched it to CodeMash and got the response every speaker wants: “YES, PLEASE.”

After his workshop, James Petty knew it landed when attendees started planning: “They already had ‘to-do’ lists ready for when they got back to work - they weren't just learning, they were ready to apply it immediately.”

MVP Brian McKeiver had a simple “yep, this is why I came” moment: Thursday breakfast, looking out at a room full of people comparing notes, laughing, and reconnecting. “It made me smile,” he said.

MVP Ron Dagdag presenting, "AI in the Browser: Practical ML with JavaScript"

Joseph Guadagno noted, “I ran into a former attendee that let me know she is speaking at this CodeMash because I inspired here based on my conversations with her at CodeMash and TechBash.”

MVP Jonathan “J” Tower summed up why he keeps showing up in person: “I value being with the community in person. With so much work now done remotely and so much content available online, being face to face matters more than ever. I always enjoy seeing audiences understanding something new in a session, but the moments that I go for are the hallway and meal conversations, where people talk openly about what they are building, learning, or struggling with. Those connections are hard to replicate anywhere else but in-person."

MVP Jonathan “J” Towerpresenting, "Layers Are for Lasagna: Embracing Vertical Slice Architecture"

“I embraced the fun and chaos by dressing up…”

CodeMash is one of the rare conferences where serious technical learning and playful experimentation happily coexist - and KidzMash makes that impossible to miss. MVP Matt Eland described it perfectly: “You don’t do any rehearsals because kids are chaotic and wonderful.” His advice for presenters is basically to show up prepared… and then roll with it: “You just embrace the chaos.”

MVP Matt Eland & MVP Alumni Sarah “Sadukie” Dutkiewicz presenting at KidzMash, "Think like a Computer"

Where to start

For a lot of developers, the hardest part of community involvement isn’t motivation - it’s knowing where to start. I asked a few MVPs what they’d tell someone who wants to begin contributing, and their answers all point to the same idea: start small, start now, and don’t wait for permission.

Joseph Guadagno summed it up simply as, “Just volunteer, anything helps. Whether it's helping at the registration desk, telling people about the event, or speaking.”

MVP Chris Woodruffpresenting his workshop, "Modern UX Without JavaScript Madness"

MVP Chris Woodruff said, “Don’t wait for someone to invite you into the developer community.” He recommends starting with meetups, conferences, and online forums - places where you can learn in public and meet people who share your curiosity.

MVP Hasan Savran mentioned, "Stop stressing and just give it a shot. You won't always be right, and that's okay. Speak up and share what you are thinking. It doesn't matter who you are; there will always be people who judge you and your knowledge. You are here to express yourself and tell a story from your viewpoint through your words or code. Learn to agree to disagree and move on."

Sam Basu shared ““It’s good to start small… everyone has to find a niche to be really good at something.”

Jake Hildreth added “Build in public!” He shared that once he pushed past the “is this good enough?” fear, publishing his work made it easier for others to help—and for him to see his own growth over time.

MVP Stephen Bilogan kept it practical: “There is no one framework to rule them all.” His nudge to attendees: try things, see what fits, and stay curious.

Brian McKeiver urged, “Don’t wait… just be fearless.” His take: share what you’re learning from real work - what went wrong and what went right - because your perspective helps more people than you think.

MVP Brian McKeiver presenting, "Tuning Azure App Services for Peak Performance"

The best moments happen offstage

The longer you attend, the more CodeMash becomes a timeline of friendships and memories. And if you ask people for their favorite moment, it’s rarely just one session - it’s the conversations between everything else.

Some of the best CodeMash memories don’t come from a slide deck - they come from the in-between moments: a conversation you didn’t expect, a table you sat at on a whim, a familiar face in a new hallway. So I asked a simple question - one that always reveals what people value most about this place: "What do you love most about CodeMash and its community?”

MVP Samuel Gomez said it was “a tie between meeting fellow MVPs at dinner and being able to complete the ‘quadfecta’ of CodeMash roles this year (attendee, speaker, organizer and volunteer).” He added, “It was amazing to experience what goes behind the scenes… and all the hard work and love that goes into making an event like this happen.”

MVP Deepthi Goguripresenting, “SQL Server Query Store Masterclass: From Troubleshooting to Optimization”

MVP Deepthi Goguri shared her favorite moment was meeting other MVPs: “These are the type of moments which makes me feel home.”

MVP Jim Bennett keeps it simple: “Dinner one evening, I just grabbed a seat at a table of folks I’d never met before and had a very enjoyable few hours chatting with them all. Having a welcoming community makes all the difference at an event, and it’s so nice to meet new people, hear their stories, and geek out on technical concepts.” For him, those casual table conversations often end up being the most valuable part of the conference.

MVP Jim Bennett presenting his workshop, "Do you want to build a copilot? Star Wars edition!"

Closing Thoughts

CodeMash 2026 was a good reminder that while the tech changes fast, the best parts of our industry don’t: curiosity, collaboration, and the joy of building things with (and for) other people. The MVPs brought strong technical content - but also the stories and generosity that make conferences feel human. And in a world where tech can sometimes feel overwhelming, those human moments are what keep us connected.

If you were at CodeMash, I hope you left with a few ideas you can use right away - and a few new friends. If you missed it, put it on your list for next year. Come for the sessions, stay for the conversations, and if you’re ready to go deeper: submit a talk, volunteer, or help someone else take their first step. Learn more (including the family-friendly KidzMash track) at codemash.org.

Tech for Good in Action: Accessibility, AI, and Expanding Our Community Impact

CristinaGonzalezHerrero — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:37:50 GMT

Accessibility is not a niche topic. It is a fundamental aspect of inclusive technology, and a shared responsibility for everyone who builds, teaches, and communicates about tech. This message was at the heart of a recent Global Skills session that brought together Microsoft MVPs and community leaders to explore how technology, AI, and communication can be used as powerful tools for social good.

The meeting featured three complementary perspectives: hands-on grassroots initiatives making technology accessible to vulnerable groups, the role of AI in building inclusive systems by design, and the importance of communicating technical knowledge beyond traditional expert audiences.

Making Technology Accessible Where It Matters Most

Microsoft MVP Navika Chhauda opened the session by sharing her work on making technology and technical education accessible to vulnerable communities in India, focusing on visually impaired students and acid attack survivors. Her community initiatives demonstrated how empathy, persistence, and creativity can bridge gaps that technology alone cannot solve.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Navika began teaching Microsoft Office 365 tools to visually impaired students at a blind school in Delhi through virtual classes. This work came with significant challenges, particularly the limitations of screen readers such as JAWS and the difficulty of conveying visual interfaces in an online environment. To address this, Navika adapted her teaching approach by reading screen content aloud, offering highly personalized guidance, and encouraging peer support among students with partial vision who could assist others during sessions.

Beyond foundational digital skills, Navika also mentored visually impaired students in preparing for the Azure AZ-900 certification. Through dedicated guidance and accommodations, two students successfully achieved the certification, becoming among the first visually impaired candidates in India to do so. Her support did not end with certification. Navika continues to mentor these students through ongoing sessions and community events, including visits to Microsoft offices and participation in discussions around AI and disability.

Her work also extends to empowering acid attack survivors through various NGOs in India. Recognizing both the lack of resources and the need for practical, job-relevant skills, Navika arranged access to computers and tailored Office 365 training to real-world use cases such as Excel-based billing. She also facilitated interactions between participants and Microsoft professionals, helping to build confidence, exposure, and a sense of belonging within the broader tech ecosystem.

Navika openly addressed the challenges of working with vulnerable groups, including limited access to devices, low levels of basic computer literacy, language barriers, and difficulties in outreach. She shared practical strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as collaborating with NGOs, teaching foundational digital skills before moving to advanced tools, and applying for special accommodations for certification exams. Her call to action was clear: more technologists can get involved by volunteering, mentoring, and partnering with organizations that already work closely with underrepresented communities.

Building Inclusive Systems with AI

Following this grassroots perspective, MVP Abdulrafiu Izuafa shifted the focus to the systemic level, discussing the importance of designing accessible AI systems for persons with disabilities. He emphasized that accessibility is not an edge case, noting that more than 1.3 billion people globally live with disabilities. Exclusion, he explained, is often unintentional, but its impact is profound when accessibility is not considered from the outset.

Abdulrafiu highlighted how AI-powered solutions are already transforming accessibility across multiple domains. In visual accessibility, technologies such as image recognition and screen readers enable people with visual impairments to interact more independently with digital content. In hearing accessibility, tools like live captions, sign language avatars, and sound recognition open access to information for people with hearing impairments. In the area of mobility, voice control and eye-tracking technologies provide alternative ways to interact with devices.

He shared examples of real-world applications, including his own News Accessibility Platform and Microsoft’s Seeing AI app, to illustrate how AI can translate innovation into tangible impact. Abdulrafiu also outlined Microsoft’s broader investments in accessibility, referencing initiatives such as the AI for Accessibility program, built-in accessibility features across Microsoft 365, and community-focused events like the Ability Summit.

The central theme of his talk was advocacy. Abdulrafiu encouraged Microsoft MVPs and technologists to advocate for accessibility as a default requirement, not an afterthought. This includes involving people with disabilities directly in the design process, mentoring others to build inclusive solutions, and normalizing conversations about accessibility within technical communities. The conversation concluded highlighting that inclusive design benefits everyone, not only those with disabilities.

Reaching Beyond the Technical Echo Chamber

The final part of the session focused on communication and community growth. Micah Heaton explored how Microsoft MVPs can make their technical content more accessible to broader audiences, including non-technical stakeholders such as sellers, customer success managers, and decision-makers who play a critical role in product adoption.

Micah observed that MVPs as well as technical experts often create content primarily for other experts, unintentionally excluding what he described as the “forgotten majority.” He argued that improving clarity does not dilute technical expertise. On the contrary, using clear language, reducing jargon, and explaining acronyms can significantly increase the reach and influence of technical content.

He also emphasized the importance of supporting real-world adoption by addressing practical questions and trade-offs. This includes being honest about product limitations, discussing realistic implementation scenarios, and helping others explain complex concepts in simple terms. During the discussion, it became clear that MVPs who enable others to learn and succeed play a vital role in building sustainable, inclusive communities.

Micah further suggested that more transparent case studies, including imperfect demos and challenges faced during adoption, would help MVPs and customers better understand real-world scenarios. His message aligned closely with the broader theme of the session: accessibility is not only about technology, but also about how knowledge is shared.

Moving Forward

Together, these conversations highlighted a powerful truth: building accessible and inclusive technology requires action at every level, from grassroots education and AI-driven innovation to thoughtful communication and community advocacy. By combining technical expertise with empathy and openness, the tech community can create solutions that truly work for everyone.

Resources

Learn more about Microsoft’s approach to inclusive technology: Accessibility Technology & Tools | Microsoft Accessibility

Microsoft Hero: How Community Sparked a Global Movement

kimsanchez — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:53:02 GMT

By guest blogger Saeid Dahl.

Introduction

There comes a moment when numbers stop being just metrics and start telling a story. After more than 160 live sessions over the past two years, thousands of hours of shared learning, and a global audience that has grown to over 7,000 members and subscribers, we felt compelled to pause and reflect. During many of these sessions, speakers consistently highlighted the importance of Microsoft Learn and the Microsoft Heroes ecosystem, not as platforms, but as enablers of growth. Built with love by leaders who are MVPs, MCTs, Microsoft Learn Experts, and Microsoft Student Ambassadors, what began as a free space, and one committed to remain free forever, has evolved into a global movement driven by purpose, passion, and belief in people.

Our Story

Microsoft Heroes began two years ago, born from the heart of Microsoft Learn and shaped by a simple but powerful belief: learning should inspire people, not just inform them. From the very beginning, we envisioned more than a traditional knowledge-sharing community. We wanted to create a space where stories, experiences, and shared journeys could spark confidence, curiosity, and growth in everyone who joined.

That belief resonated deeply. Speakers, experts, students, and passionate learners began to gather, not because they were asked to, but because they felt connected to the purpose. What started as a small, open initiative grew organically into a global movement, now followed by more than 7,000 community members worldwide. Week after week, without interruption, we hosted live sessions and welcomed voices from different cultures, backgrounds, and time zones. By embracing diversity and intentionally covering multiple regions, we ensured that no one was excluded and that learning truly belonged to everyone.

Over time, Microsoft Heroes became more than a platform. It became a family. A place where people celebrate each other’s achievements, amplify one another’s voices, and grow together. In the past year alone, 266 speakers expressed their desire to stand on the Microsoft Heroes stage, driven purely by passion. We proudly hosted 83 of them, each bringing unique perspectives and real-world experiences to our global audience.

Behind every session lies an intense yet rewarding journey. Planning monthly calendars, reviewing submissions, coordinating across time zones, promoting content, and hosting live sessions requires dedication and trust. None of this would be possible without a deeply committed team working together, not for recognition, but out of love for the community.

This spirit lives on through Microsoft NexGen Heroes, a program created for students and led by Microsoft Student Ambassador leaders. It exists to empower young voices and nurture the next generation of Microsoft community leaders, because every movement grows stronger when it invests in its future.

Impact and Insights

Throughout this journey, we learned that the most powerful form of learning is only possible when it is driven by passion. Real growth happens when people genuinely care, when they share their energy, support one another, and invest time in mentorship. This belief became the heartbeat of Microsoft Heroes.

Microsoft Heroes was never designed solely for professionals already deep into their careers. Through workshops and structured learning sessions, we intentionally supported those who were just beginning their journey, ensuring they had access to guidance, resources, and encouragement from day one. As a result, the impact extended far beyond attendance numbers.

We witnessed speakers earn titles such as Microsoft MVP and Microsoft Certified Trainer, with one or more of their community contributions rooted in Microsoft Heroes. Even within our leadership team, the ripple effect became visible, three new MVPs emerged after joining the community, and several Microsoft Student Ambassadors progressed to Gold status.

The greatest lesson we learned is that a community becomes powerful when energy flows freely, when people lift each other up without expectation. It is this shared passion and collective belief that continues to move Microsoft Heroes forward.

Call to Action

Communities like Microsoft Heroes remind us that growth is never a solo journey. Whether you are a student taking your first steps, a professional deep into your career, or a leader looking to give back, there is always a place for you to contribute, learn, and inspire. Share what you know. Mentor someone who needs guidance. Step onto the stage when the moment feels right. When we invest in each other, we create environments where everyone can rise.

Resources

Meet the MVPs involved in Microsoft Hero.

Microsoft Heros

Learn more about Microsoft Hero and how to get involved.

Engineering Without Borders: MVPs and Experts at CognitionX Egypt

SoyoungLee — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:49:00 GMT

CognitionX Cairo attendees showed up at 9:00 AM even though Microsoft’s office is far from downtown Cairo

CognitionX is a premier seasonal events series happening worldwide and a global community for people who care about depth and accountability in engineering. It brings together AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and software engineering because production systems do not respect silos. Backed by Microsoft MVPs, researchers, and industry experts, CognitionX focuses on knowledge sharing across borders, drawing experts from 35+ countries for practical, technical editions with real-world impact.

CognitionX Events are founded and organized by Hazem Ali, a Microsoft AI MVP, Principal AI & ML Engineer / Architect, and Founder & CEO of Skytells. His work sits at the intersection of deep learning and the disciplines that decide whether AI survives production: software architecture, cloud systems, and security.

CognitionX Cairo is one edition in the CognitionX Events series. It was hosted at Microsoft Egypt on December 23, 2025. Public announcements around the Cairo edition highlighted a cross-border lineup of 15 featured speakers from 11 countries, including multiple Microsoft MVPs. The topics reflected what modern delivery actually demands: AI alongside cloud and cybersecurity, with sessions aimed at builders who operate real systems.

CognitionX Cairo attendees showed up at 9:00 AM even though Microsoft’s office is far from downtown Cairo, which means they didn’t come for convenience. They came because the content was worth the trip and worth the time. That kind of turnout tells you the event hit a real need: serious, engineering-first knowledge that people don’t easily find elsewhere.

Ahmed Hussien leading a deep-dive cybersecurity session at CognitionX Cairo

The event also carried a clear founder signal: a deep commitment to engineering discipline and real production thinking. Hazem shared,

“At the next CognitionX AI Conference, we’ll be announcing a new technology designed to let your system evolve and improve itself.”

The point was not the headline. The point was the mindset behind it: observe production, connect decisions to evidence, and treat governance and safety as first-class engineering work.

Cairo also brought in recognized contributors from the broader Microsoft and security communities. Jamel Abed, a Microsoft MVP and international speaker, participated and later described the room being full early and staying engaged throughout the day. The edition also included experts like Hammad Atta and Ahmed Hussien cybersecurity and AI security specialist known for work in AI governance and agentic AI security frameworks.

Impact and Insights

Across CognitionX Events, CognitionX Cairo stood out because it respected the audience. The official recap describes engineers challenging assumptions, sketching diagrams, and debating trade-offs instead of consuming motivational slides. That culture is the product: ideas get pressure-tested, patterns get examined, and people leave with clearer mental models they can apply at work.

The impact also traveled beyond the technical circle. The CognitionX recap notes notable TV coverage, which helped carry engineering conversations to a wider audience and reinforced a simple message: meaningful AI progress requires depth, discipline, and informed leadership. When decision makers see real discussions about scaling, security, governance, and failure modes, it changes what gets funded and how systems are evaluated.

Hazem Ali delivering a deep enterprise AI session at CognitionX Cairo, walking the audience through production-grade architecture decisions across AI, cloud, and security.

CognitionX is not a one-off. It is a series that already spans multiple hubs, including editions hosted at Microsoft locations such as Dubai (July 28, 2025) and Cairo (December 23, 2025). For anyone who wants serious learning, the next step is straightforward.

Follow CognitionX Events, join the CognitionX community, and attend an edition when it reaches your region. Come with real questions from real systems. Expect clear explanations, not simplifications.

Expect AI discussed in context: cloud constraints, software engineering trade-offs, and cybersecurity realities.

Join our Community at : https://www.cognitionx.org/en/community

That is what CognitionX is optimizing for, and that focus is why the series keeps earning trust from engineers and attention from leaders.

Author Bio / Co-Authors

Hazem Aliis a Microsoft AI MVP, Principal AI & ML Engineer / Architect, and Founder & CEO of Skytells, and the organizer behind CognitionX Events.
Jamel ABED is a Microsoft MVP and Product Evangelist with a passion for developer advocacy. He brings extensive experience in building and nurturing technical communities, helping developers worldwide leverage cutting-edge technologies.

Resources

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7410622433864589312/

Starting a User Group: What You Need to Know

SoyoungLee — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:03:51 GMT

Areti and Fraser in action kicking of a UG

I first got involved with the Microsoft Community in 2021 when I was fortunate to be a speaker at the very first South Coast Summit. I got ‘the bug,’ as some people say. I knew I wanted to help others in the community more. I wanted to share what I could to contribute to it and help it grow.

I had moved to Reading the same year and wanted to meet and network with others involved in the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform space where I lived. However, I found there was no user group at the time local to me so I reached out to the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups and asked to set up a local user group in Reading with the Group’s help.

Finding Your Team

Since starting the Reading user group in 2023, we have hosted 4 events a year. We had to change venue 3 times and faced several challenges (did you know vegan pizza comes uncut?). We learned a lot about hosting user group events in the process. I say ‘we’ as running a user group is not a one-person undertaking. It needs a community to get going and keep going.

As soon as word got out I was looking to start a Reading User Group, those in the community that knew people local to me (even if they didn’t know me personally) did what they could to help me find some willing supporters. This is one of many examples why this community and the people in it are so wonderful and I am still very grateful for this. I was lucky enough to meet Fraser Dear and Tim Leung who were as excited about starting the Reading User Group as I was and we became the organisers of the Reading User Group. Since then the team has expanded to include Ban Hasan!

With the support of the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups we managed to secure a room at the Microsoft offices at Thames Valley Park. Local MVPs Chris Huntingford and Carl Cookson offered to be our first speakers and get the word out to promote our event – what a first speaker line up!

Not Everyone will Turn Up

Reading User Group

As user groups are community events and often free to attendees (and the ones within the UK Dynamics 365 and Power Platform User Groups always are as we have annual sponsors), our Reading user group events were also completely free. We had over 50 people sign up for our first event and I was looking forward to meeting them all! I got to meet about 20 of them.

As I found out, with free events there is often a 40-50% drop out as people lose nothing by not showing up. I can’t tell you why people don’t update their RSVP status (don't get me started). All I can tell you is that they don’t. Be prepared for this. Don’t be disheartened if you have a low number of sign-ups and/or a low number of attendees for your first event. It takes time for the word to get out, no user group is a success overnight.

What You Need to Know

Here I share what you need to know and consider in the areas of:

Venue
Date and Time
Speakers
Attendees
Promotion
Communications
On the Day

If you remember one thing, make it this: This is supposed to be fun. Running a user group is not supposed to be a second unpaid job you have. If it starts feeling like that, ask for help!

Venue

When looking for a venue, consider:

Capacity – how big do you need your venue to be? Will you have an attendee limit?
Sponsor offices – if you have a sponsor(s), do they have a space that can be used free of charge?
Business Parks – Is there a local business park that can attract more attendees from the businesses hosted there?
Suitability – Does the venue have everything required for a user group (e.g. projector, chairs, tables for food)
Availability – does the venue have availability for the date(s) you are expecting to host the user group? (see tips for date/time below)
Cost – if the venue is not free of charge, is the cost within your cost limits?
Insurance – does the venue need the UG to have it’s own insurance?
Transport – Is the venue easy to get to using a variety of transport options? It will limit attendee numbers if not.
Parking – Does the venue have parking options/free parking nearby?
Accessibility – Is the venue easy to access for those with a disability?
Easy to find – Is the venue and room where the UG will be taking place easy to find? If not can you put signs/banners up?

Date and Time

When choosing the date and time of your user group, consider:

Local User Groups – do any of the other local user groups have an event close to that date or on that date? This will reduce attendees and available speakers.
Holidays – does the date fall on any important holiday dates that will make attendance lower – e.g. half term/school holidays for parents?
Religious Festivals – does the date fall during or close to a religious festival? Consider all faiths here.
UG Team – can everyone in your organizing team make the date and be there to support?
Timing – is the time of the event going to be convenient for attendees? E.g. Starting at 18:00 so people can get there after work or not finish too late for those that need to get back.
Duration – is the duration of the event enough to cover what is planned but not too long of a commitment for attendees? We usually have evening events last between 2-3 hours max.

Speakers

When looking for and engaging with speakers, consider:

Finding Speakers

The Community Network – The people you know in the community are part of a vast network of people and MVPs within the community that can be potential speakers – ask for help! Sessionize also has a speaker directory you can utilise.
Speaker Form – Make sure you set up a form that potential speakers can fill in to express their interest and promote it to your attendees through a QR code – they could be future speakers!
Session Details – Make sure you have a clear title and session description from potential speakers before selecting a session to verify the session is appropriate for the event. Discourage sessions that are to be product sales pitches unless they are an event sponsor.

Before the Event

Expenses – If you are not covering any speaker expenses make sure your speakers are clear on this before committing.
Slide Deck Template – if you have a slide deck template, encourage speakers to use it and at least have the sponsor slide in their presentations (if you have sponsors).
Event Details – Make sure speakers are clear on the exact location and timing of the event, particularly if the event is in person.
Accessibility - Make sure speakers have checked their slide deck for accessibility and have considered attendee requirements (e.g. having live captions for hearing-impaired attendees).
Speakers Sync Call – consider having a planning call with your speakers before the event to answer any questions they have and offer any support they need.
Promotion - Ask your speakers to post on their socials about the event. If they feel up to it maybe also to post a short video introducing themselves and their session. Extra points if they include a link to the speaker form and event registration to spread the word!

After the Event

Appreciation – Speakers spend a lot of time preparing their session, consider giving them a gift (e.g. box of chocolates) at the end as a token of appreciation for their efforts and for their involvement in the event.
Photos – Take photos of the speakers as they are presenting and share them with them afterwards. Ask them to post on their socials about the experience and promote the next event (and to include a link to the speaker form!).

Attendees

Help attendees enjoy the experience!

Name Tags – As the organizers, consider wearing the same polos and name tags so you are easy to identify. Also offer attendees name tags (sticky labels always an easy option) to make networking easier.
Access/Dietary Requirements – It is worth using the functionality within MeetUp (or other platform of your choice) to ask attendees when registering whether they have any access or dietary requirements. This will allow you to consider these in advance and cater for what is needed.
Ice Breaker –Consider having something to act as an ice breaker/help people network while people arrive (e.g. a round of Genius Square anyone?).
Swag – Official UG/Microsoft swag for your event (e.g. stickers!) can help promote the UG. This will also give your attendees something to take away with them.
Pizza Cutter – Only relevant if you are ordering pizza and someone has an allergy/dietary requirement. Consider having a pizza cutter specifically for this (e.g. gluten free/vegan pizzas) as they often come uncut.
Feedback – Consider creating a short feedback form and having a slide at the end with the feedback form QR code. This will help you understand how the event went and what you can do better next time.

Promotion

Spreading the word is vital.

Meetup – If you are using a platform like meetup for your event registrations, make sure you create and announce the event.
Microsoft Community – Set up your User Group within the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform community sites to drive awareness and list your events on there (with a link to meetup in the description if you are using that).
Socials – Consider setting up a Linkedin page for your user group and add your event on Linkedin as well. As people within the community to share/comment/repost to share the word! You can also set up a Whatsapp Community (or just a chat) to allow instant comms to those interested.

Communications

Before the event

1 to 2 Weeks Before –The date/time, venue, speakers may have changed since the event was announced so it’s worth sending a message with key information to those already registered for the event one or two weeks before it and asking them to update their RSVP if they can no longer attend.
Day Before – Final reminder for the event, asking them again to update their RSVP if they can no longer attend and providing any last-minute information, guidance, contact details for ‘on the day’.

After the event

Thank You Message – Message sent to all attendees that RSVPed (regardless of whether they attended or not) to thank those that managed to attend for joining and to encourage those that didn’t to join next time! Give a link to the speakers’ LinkedIn profiles and promote the next event for them to sign up.

On the Day

The big day is here – all the excitement! But don’t forget….

Banners – If you have them, place them strategically so they help people find you.
Music – Consider bringing a Bluetooth speaker. Having music on as people come in creates a nice atmosphere! We have even had people from the community play a few songs live. You will be surprised at people's hidden skills.
‘Stuff’ – Refreshments/Ice breakers/Swag, make sure it’s all out there.
Slides Reel – Consider having a timed slide show that provides key info to attendees as they wait for the event to start (e.g. today’s agenda/timings, sponsor slide, next event registration QR code, info on the UG team, speaker form QR code).
Speakers – Make sure they have everything they need/happy with the set up, big them up if its their first time presenting!
Spread the Love – Consider having a closing slide at the end promoting other local UG events or community events your members might be interested in.
Have Fun – Take the time to enjoy it all, and if something doesn’t go to plan, there’s always next time. Just keep going!

So remember...

As you can see, there is a ton of things to consider when looking to put a user group event together. This is why it is a team effort and why you shouldn’t try to do this alone. It is a lot of work. I promise you it’s worth it. You will see the difference it makes to the attendees, to the speakers and to you.

Good luck and keep me posted how you get on! I am cheering you on!

Author Bio

Areti Iles - With over 15 years in the technology sector, I am Head of Professional Services at Telefonica Tech's UK AI Business Solutions division. Over my career as a Dynamics 365 & Power Platform solution architect, I have delivered a wide range of complex projects for FTSE 250/500 companies across several sectors. Outside my job role I am part of Microsoft’s Global UGs Committee representing Europe and Advisory Board member for the UK D365 and Power Platform UGs. I also lead both the Reading D365 and Power Platform UG and London All Day UG and I am on the organizing committee for the Scottish Summit. I host the Power Delivery podcast with two other Microsoft MVPs providing project delivery guidance and am a mentor as part of the Women in Power Platform group. I am also an annual participant of the United Nations UK delegation for the Commission on the Status of Women and speak internationally on AI tools, legislation and their adoption.

Resources

Women For Technical Talks: Building Visibility, Confidence, and Impact

CristinaGonzalezHerrero — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 19:07:47 GMT

Technical Content and Tracks

The agenda reflected a broad and diverse technical scope, structured into four main tracks:

Track 1: AI, Cybersecurity, and Economy
Track 2: Motivation and Power Platform
Track 3: Power BI
Track 4: Data and Development with Power Platform

The distribution of accepted sessions highlighted strong interest in artificial intelligence and motivation focused topics, alongside core technical areas. Topics such as AI (6 sessions) and Motivation (6 sessions) led the agenda, followed by Data (3), Development (3), Power Platform (2), and Power BI (1). In total, 21 thematic sessions were delivered within this structure.

Community Engagement and Live Streaming Reach

Attendance and engagement metrics further demonstrated the event’s success. The conference welcomed 291 registered attendees, with a notably high female participation rate of 79.04%, while male participation accounted for 20.96%. This balance illustrates the inclusive nature of the event while remaining open to the broader community.

Participants joined from a wide range of countries, with Spain representing 68.04% of attendance, followed by Argentina (5.84%) and Colombia (4.12%). Additional participation came from countries across Europe, Latin America, and North America, including the United States, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Portugal, and others, reflecting the global resonance of the initiative.

Live streaming played a key role in amplifying the event’s impact. Chat interactions and real‑time engagement during sessions confirmed strong participation and interest across both days.

Presence in Major Technical Events

Beyond its own events, Women For Technical Talks (W4TT) has maintained an active presence in major conferences such as Bizz Summit, Power BI Days, .NET events, Global AI events, and other international conferences. In many of these, the community is given a dedicated 10‑minute space to present its mission and activities. These moments have proven especially impactful, as they consistently attract new women who approach the team afterwards to ask how they can participate as future speakers.

Learning Moments and Community Anecdotes

Like any live event, the journey included learning moments. There were last‑minute track changes and the occasional loss of a speaker, all handled through collaboration and community support. One particularly memorable moment came from reading the live chat, where attendees openly encouraged new speakers. Several first‑time presenters shared how they paused, breathed deeply, and realized—often mid‑session—that they were successfully delivering their talk to a supportive audience. These moments reinforce the emotional and human value behind the numbers.

In the words of attendees:

- Alba Catoira – “It has been an honor to share this space with so many inspiring professionals, to hear their stories, learn from their journeys, and feel the energy of a community that champions female talent in technology.

Heartfelt thanks to the organizers for their dedication and hard work in making this event a success, to the speakers and participants for their generosity in sharing knowledge and experiences, and to the sponsors for supporting initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the tech sector.

I leave feeling inspired and having learned so much.”

- Yesarelly Salazar – “What a wonderful experience!!! What once was just an idea has now become a reality.

Thank you to Women For Technical Talks (W4TT) for creating these spaces full of learning, to the sponsors for supporting this kind of initiative, and to everyone who dedicated their time to take part.”

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for W4TT

Women For Technical Talks is already preparing the next steps. The community plans to strengthen its monthly activity, creating a consistent rhythm of engagement and learning. A new in-person conference is planned for June, with a clear goal of increasing the number of participating countries and further reinforcing its international identity.

Future priorities also include increasing visibility on social networks, improving the community website, and identifying new needs and formats for monthly activities. Each decision continues to be guided by the same principle that started W4TT: ensuring that more women feel confident, visible, and supported when sharing their technical knowledge.

My MVP Story: Yolanda Cuesta's Journey from Accounting to Excel MVP

kimsanchez — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:00:00 GMT

By Guest Blogger Yolanda Cuesta

From Accounting to Excel: The Journey Begins

After 20 years as an accountant, I found myself yearning for something more—something that would let me share my passion for learning and help others grow. The turning point came in 2011, when I made the bold decision to leave a stable, full-time job for a part-time role, freeing up my afternoons to pursue what truly excited me: teaching and sharing knowledge about spreadsheets.

What Does MVP Really Mean? Sports vs. Technology

Most people associate “MVP” with sports, where it stands for “Most Valuable Player," the star who shines brightest on the field. But in the world of technology, MVP means “Most Valuable Professional.” It’s a recognition from Microsoft for those who go above and beyond to share their expertise and support the community. There’s no monetary prize, but the value lies in the trust, respect, and opportunities it brings.

Discovering the Microsoft MVP Program

My journey into the MVP community began with a simple blog about Excel and other spreadsheets. The blog quickly gained traction, earning a regional award and connecting me with a vibrant network of Excel enthusiasts. Two years in, a follower introduced me to the MVP program. I decided to apply, embracing the mindset that I have nothing to lose so I might as well go ahead. In 2014, I received the news that I was awarded the Microsoft MVP title.

Taking the Leap: Career Change and Community Building

Leaving a secure job wasn’t easy, especially when those around me didn’t fully understand my decision. But the leap allowed me to focus on what mattered most—helping others learn and grow. Through my blog and community work, I discovered the power of sharing knowledge and building connections.

Applying for MVP: Advice and First Steps

If you’re considering the MVP path, here’s my first piece of advice: don’t be afraid to try. The worst outcome is a “no,” but every step forward brings new opportunities. The application process is about showing your passion, your willingness to help, and your commitment to the community.

Receiving the MVP Award was a turning point—opening doors to new opportunities, global events, and lifelong connections - Yolanda Cuesta.

Receiving the Award: What It Means to Be an MVP

Being named a Microsoft MVP is a seal of quality—a recognition of your expertise and your impact. It’s not about financial reward, but about the doors it opens and the professional value it brings. For me, it marked the start of a new chapter filled with growth, learning, and global connections.

Global Connections: Events and Experiences

Since becoming an MVP, I’ve been invited to Microsoft technical events across Europe—Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Madrid—and to the annual MVP Summit at Microsoft’s headquarters in Seattle. These experiences have enriched my career, expanded my network, and introduced me to colleagues and professionals who have supported me along the way.

Over the years, I’ve not only traveled thanks to the award, but also met countless valuable professionals. Many doors have opened—opportunities I never imagined before taking the leap in 2011. In Spain, female representation among MVPs has grown from just 3% in 2014 to 19.4% in 2025—a significant advance, but there’s still room for improvement.

Advice for Aspiring MVPs

Yolanda in front of a screen showing her profile.

It’s never too late to change. If you truly want it, take a step forward and start turning your career around. It doesn’t have to be a drastic decision—small steps count. Sign up for training, update your CV, apply for attractive job offers, delegate tasks, and share your new interests with others. Adjust what you’re not comfortable with in your profession and let it give you strength and courage.

Ready to Start Your Own Journey?

If my story inspires you, remember -- it’s never too late to pursue your passion, share your expertise, or make a bold career change. Whether you’re considering the MVP program or simply want to grow in your field, take that first step -- start learning, connect with your community, and don’t be afraid to reach out for support.

Curious about the MVP experience or want advice?

Feel free to connect with me for more information. Your next chapter could be just one decision away.

Resources

Connect with Yolanda at:

MVP Dominick Raimato Showcases Real-Time Intelligence with Microsoft Fabric & IoT

BetsyWeber — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 19:23:21 GMT

What Happens When Real‑Time Data Gets Hands‑On? MVP Dominick Raimato Shows Us

When you walk into a conference session and someone immediately pulls out a Raspberry Pi, you know you’re in for something fun. And when that someone is Microsoft MVP Dominick Raimato, you’re definitely about to learn something unforgettable.

At the PASS Data Community Summit, Dominick showcased in his session how real‑time intelligence becomes real‑world magic - powered by Microsoft Fabric, a few pocket‑sized devices, and a whole lot of creativity. His goal? Make real‑time data feel tangible, interactive, and exciting for everyone - no technical background required.

Dominick Raimato shows the Raspberry Pi devices that power his hands‑on real‑time intelligence demo with Microsoft Fabric

Why Raspberry Pi? Because Seeing Is Believing

Dominick didn’t choose Raspberry Pi because it’s trendy. He used it because people learn best when they can touch what they’re learning. Years ago, at The Hershey Company, he and a colleague built a portable IoT‑to‑ML solution that streamed predictions in real time so stakeholders could literally watch data come alive. That same idea - “let people touch the data” - is what inspired him to bring Raspberry Pi into the Microsoft Fabric world.

With Fabric, he rebuilt the experience so anyone in the room could influence the data themselves. Tap the device. Trigger events. Watch predictions stream instantly. It’s hands‑on learning meets high‑energy show‑and‑tell.

The Raspberry Pi devices Dominick Raimato used to bring real‑time intelligence to life during his Microsoft Fabric demo.

The Demo Challenge No One Sees Coming

Conference sessions move fast. Like - really fast. Dominick had just minutes between sessions to set up a network for six devices and connect to a projector. Re‑creating his old Ubuntu‑powered portable network didn’t go smoothly (RIP to the stability issues), but a recommendation for the perfect travel router saved the day. Because of course: behind every great demo is a great piece of travel gear.

Explaining Real‑Time Intelligence… Without the Jargon

If you’re new to the topic, Dominick has a way of making it all click immediately. Take this example he uses: You get alerts on your phone all day - messages, news, reminders. Now imagine getting a proactive heads‑up that you need an umbrella before stepping outside. That’s real‑time intelligence: constant, instant insights that help you decide what to do right now.

Why Real‑Time Data Matters More Than Ever

Businesses aren’t waiting for dashboards anymore - they need information as it happens. In healthcare, fraud detection, retail, and manufacturing, a 15‑minute delay isn’t acceptable. In some cases, it’s life‑or‑death. Real‑Time Intelligence enables immediate action: the moment something changes, your system knows - and responds.

How Fabric Makes It All Easier

Traditionally, real‑time architecture requires stitching together Event Hubs, Stream Analytics, storage containers, ML models, and more. With Microsoft Fabric? You can run the whole pipeline in one place, without spinning up any Azure resources. It’s simpler, faster, and far more accessible - perfect for demos, teaching, and prototyping bold ideas.

Real‑World Impact: From Weather Sensors to… Twizzlers?

One of Dominick’s favorite examples is a project from his time at Hershey. Using concepts like his demo, their team created a solution to predict Twizzlers product weights during extrusion - helping operators avoid underweights (rework) and overweights (giving away product). The goal wasn’t to replace workers; it was to empower them with real-time insights for better control. You can read more how Hershey used IoT for improved efficiency in making Twizzlers.

Want to Try It Yourself?

Dominick points newcomers to a few easy, approachable ways to start experimenting:

A no‑cost Microsoft Fabric Real-Time Intelligence exercise using Santander Cycles data.
His own Raspberry Pi series (in progress!) where you can replicate his demo step by step.

No engineering background required - just curiosity.

The Future: Data That Moves People

Dominick sees a world where event‑driven systems are core to modern analytics. Real‑time dashboards shouldn’t be “hotel art”—interesting to look at but driving no action. The future belongs to insights that trigger immediate decisions, escalating eventually into full automation as organizations mature their data strategy.

The Most Underrated Skills for This Work

Here’s the part that surprises many aspiring data pros: Dominick says the most important skills aren’t technical at all. Communication, project management, building business cases, and cross‑team collaboration often matter more than coding. Real‑time projects touch many parts of an organization, and success requires navigating that complexity with people skills.

One Last Piece of Advice

If you’re thinking of taking on a similar project: expect things to go wrong. Dominick’s demo has broken – spectacularly - mid‑presentation three times. But failures are part of innovation. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture and the long-term value your idea can bring.

About MVP Dominick Raimato

Dominick is a Microsoft MVP recognized for expertise in data analytics and cloud technologies. He’s passionate about making complex topics feel simple, approachable, and - most of all - fun. Through hands‑on demos, real‑world stories, and community contributions, he inspires data professionals to explore the future of real-time intelligence and IoT.

Photo credit of Dominick Raimato at Pittsburgh SQL Saturday: MVP Eugene Meidinger

Microsoft MVP Program Blog articles

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

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

From curiosity to capability

Community turned learning into momentum

Leading with impact (and a clear mission)

Practical, approachable solutions

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

Why MVP fits

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

1) Own a Problem Space

2) Turn Real Work into Public Learning

3) Use Conference Speaking to Build Confidence

4) Make Leadership Visible

5) Keep Learning and Show Your Work

Connect with Sucheta

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

The Story of an Accidental MVP

How I Became a Microsoft MVP by Accident

Finding Help Online—and Starting to Teach

The Surprise Email: You’re an MVP

My First MVP Summit

What the MVP Community Opened Up for Me

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

Connect with Scott

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

Meet the Champion: MVP Diarmuid Early

On the mic: MVPs bringing Excel esports to the world

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

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

Why it matters (beyond bragging rights)

Watch it, learn from it, then try it

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

Join the Excel community (and learn from the MVPs)

Spotlight: Top 10 MVP Theater Sessions from Microsoft Ignite

The Top 10 MVP Theater Sessions — Now On Demand

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

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

Resources

The full playlist is available on YouTube.

YellowHat 2026: the ultimate Defender’s gathering

Level 400+ content: no fluff, just tech

The thrill of the hunt: Capture the Flag

Community powered protection

What’s next?

Celebrating Community and Curiosity at Swetugg Stockholm 2026

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

From the salon to IT: a reinvention powered by curiosity

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

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

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

Mentorship, in both directions

Want to get involved? Start small - and start today

Balance is part of the build

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

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

A Community Rebuilt Through Passion and Collaboration

A Two‑Day Event Powered by Global Expertise

Outstanding Feedback Reflecting High Impact

The People Who Made It Happen

Join the Story

My MVP Story: How a 12+ Year MVP Veteran Sparked a Nationwide AI Movement in Vietnam

The Spark: Becoming an MVP

Launching AI Fridays 2025

A Small Idea Becomes a Nationwide Movement

From Inspiration to Adoption

What This Taught Me as an MVP

Resources

Author Bio

MVPs Global Student Innovation: Sprint to Imagine Cup 2026

Inside CodeMash 2026: A Geek Family Reunion (Powered by Microsoft MVPs)

MVP impact: on stage, behind the scenes, and in the hallways