MVP Mentoring Rings: Where Community Becomes a Catalyst
What if mentoring did not start with matching one expert to one learner, but with bringing a small circle of community leaders together to learn out loud? That is the idea behind MVP Mentoring Rings: small, community-led groups where Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) share experience, ask honest questions, and help one another grow. Unlike traditional one-to-one mentoring, Mentoring Rings are built around collective learning. The result is a model that feels both practical and deeply human - especially in a global community where connection across regions, languages, and experiences matters. Across the MVP community, Mentoring Rings have created space for something powerful: technologists showing up not just to teach, but to listen, encourage, and lead alongside one another. In a fast-moving industry, that kind of peer support can make all the difference. More than mentoring: a circle of shared momentum MVP Mentoring Rings were created to address a real need: even in a vibrant technical community, people can still feel isolated. The ring model offers a different path forward. Each group is intentionally small, guided by MVP Mentor Leads, and designed for recurring conversations rather than one-off advice. MVPs learn from one another through shared experiences, practical problem-solving, and accountability that grows over time. Why did MVPs participate? For many, it was about finding community as much as guidance. Some joined to better understand how to contribute in ways that felt authentic. Others wanted a space to navigate visibility, leadership, or the challenge of translating deep technical expertise into content, talks, demos, and impact for others. MVP Mentor Leads participated for another reason too: to give back in a way that scales generosity and multiplies belonging. When MVPs show up, others rise The most inspiring part of Mentoring Rings is how MVPs showed up for each other. They did not arrive as polished experts with all the answers. They came ready to be open, practical, and encouraging. MVP Christine Flora, who led a Women in the MVP Program Ring, described the experience this way: “Leading a Women in the MVP Program Ring reinforced how important representation, examples of someone like yourself, and showing up as your authentic self is for confidence and connection - especially when battling imposter syndrome.” That theme surfaced again and again: confidence grows when people feel seen. In Christine’s ring, one meaningful shift was helping participants move beyond the idea that they had to contribute exactly like someone else. As she shared, a major win was watching members realize “there are many, many ways to contribute and give to the community that fit their styles and personality types.” That is a powerful message for aspiring contributors and current MVPs alike: community leadership is not about copying a formula. It is about discovering your own voice and using it to help others. Confidence grows in spaces built for trust For MVP Sucheta Gawade, the value of the ring was rooted in psychological safety and clarity. She reflected that leading a ring reinforced the importance of “a psychologically safe, technical peer space” where MVPs from different domains could turn uncertainty into action. In her experience, mentoring became more than encouragement; it became a structured way to help people transform expertise into community-ready contributions such as talks, blogs, demos, and frameworks. That same sense of safety came through in MVP Agnieszka Mietz-Blijleven’s experience as a mentee. What surprised her most was how quickly trust and openness formed, even among people who had never met before. In that environment, she said, “real experience mattered more than titles” and honest reflection began to feel natural. Sucheta also saw quiet hesitation turn into confident engagement. One of her proudest wins as a Mentoring Ring Lead was helping her group move from “I am not sure what counts as technical contributions” to a clear, trackable plan for how they could participate. That kind of progress matters because it changes how people see themselves - not just as community members, but as future speakers, writers, mentors, and leaders. Agnieszka described a similar shift from the mentee side. The ring helped her recognize that she could support others not only through empathy, but through the strength of her own experience and skills. As she put it, the experience moved her mindset from wondering whether she was doing enough to recognizing that she already brought value - and could build on it with intention. Belonging sounds different in every language One of the strongest lessons from Mentoring Rings is that accessibility is not only about time zones or format. It is also about language, representation, and whether people feel safe enough to participate fully. MVP Ivana Tilca, who led a New to the MVP Program ring and a Women in Tech ring in Spanish, saw how quickly those layers intersected. She shared that one of the most powerful themes in her conversations was the hesitation some women felt about asking questions or speaking up because they were often among the few women in the room - and in some cases were also navigating events and meetings in a language that was not their own. That experience, she said, changed how she thinks about community events: inclusivity cannot be an afterthought; it has to be meaningfully designed in from the start. Ivana also reflected on what changed when conversations happened in Spanish. Having grown up bilingual, she said she had not always seen language as a barrier. But through the ring, she realized how much harder technical instructions, outreach, and even simple follow-up could feel for others. As she put it, “Not everyone speaks or understands English,” and for some MVPs, the language gap made “sending a simple inquiry or email feel nearly impossible” - especially when reaching out to Microsoft employees already felt intimidating. That perspective sits alongside what MVP Walter E Calcagno Lucares described in the Spanish-language ring: “Not having to translate my thoughts in real time allowed me to express myself with greater clarity and depth, which led to more strategic and meaningful conversations.” Together, their experiences make the case clearly: language-inclusive mentoring does more than remove friction. It creates trust, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging. From the ring to the stage: Mentoring Rings at MVP Summit The momentum behind Mentoring Rings was also visible at MVP Summit in the session MVP Mentoring Rings: Learn, Grow, Connect. The session brought the spirit of the rings to a wider audience by centering real stories from mentors and mentees - what worked, what surprised them, and how mentoring helped both sides grow. It reinforced an important truth: mentoring in the MVP community is not one-directional. It is a shared experience that builds confidence, connection, and practical wisdom for everyone involved. Agnieszka Mietz-Blijleven captured that spirit by describing a meaningful moment from her ring: realizing how much wisdom can come from “a simple, honest conversation shared at exactly the right time.” For her, mentoring also brought perspective - showing how differently people can respond to the same situation and how often the hardest work is learning to stop criticizing yourself. Diego Domingos da Silva, Agnieszka Mietz-Blijleven, Sucheta Gawade (left to right) Designed to leave attendees with practical tips they could use right away, the session explored how to be a thoughtful mentor, how to get more from the mentee experience, and how to build meaningful, supportive relationships in the community. MVP Diego Domingos da Silva helped bring that message to life by reframing mentoring as something far more human than a formal exchange of answers. As he shared, he joined as a mentee expecting guidance but instead found “something closer to a support group of like-minded people in the community, sharing real experiences without the pressure of a work setting.” His reflection captures what made the MVP Summit panel resonate: mentoring was not presented as hierarchy, but as honest connection. Diego also spoke to the kind of growth that happens in these spaces. Rather than coming only from a perfectly mapped plan, he described growth as something that often takes shape through shared stories - hearing how others handled uncertainty, setbacks, and opportunity, and realizing you are not the only one figuring it out as you go. That perspective reinforced one of the panel’s strongest themes: mentoring creates momentum not because it removes uncertainty, but because it helps people move through it together. MVP Jeremy Sinclair added another important dimension to the panel: the idea that mentoring becomes most powerful when it is reciprocal. For him, the experience was not only about guiding others, but also about paying close attention to the ways mentees were already learning, contributing, and growing in their day-to-day work. His reflection underscored one of the session’s most resonant takeaways - that the best mentoring spaces create room for everyone to teach and everyone to learn. Agnieszka also connected mentoring to a very practical kind of growth: confidence in public speaking. She reflected that mentoring strengthened her on-stage presence by helping her stay steady in front of a live audience, navigate real-time reactions, and move through troubleshooting moments with diligence and calm. That kind of growth shows how mentoring does not stay inside the ring - it carries into talks, demos, and the visible moments where community leaders share what they know. The invitation: learn, lead, and lift someone else up MVP Mentoring Rings show what is possible when community leadership is shared. They help technologists grow their confidence, expand their networks, and see new possibilities for how they can contribute. They remind current MVPs that mentorship is not a side activity - it is part of how strong communities sustain themselves. As Agnieszka Mietz-Blijleven reflected, the rings create “continuity, confidence, and a culture of giving back.” And for aspiring MVPs, they offer a glimpse of what this community is really about: generosity, curiosity, and the willingness to help others thrive. If you are inspired by these stories, take the next step. Learn from the MVPs who are investing in others through Mentoring Rings. Look for ways to actively support and uplift people in your own tech community. Reflect on how you can be an ally - especially for those who may need representation, encouragement, or a clearer runway to be seen. And if you have been wondering whether you are ready to contribute more, start now. Share what you know, help someone take their next step, and keep building the kind of community that future MVPs will be proud to join. Want to learn more about the MVP Program? To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn. Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes - with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.FabCon and SQLCon: MVP voices on community, connection, and showing up
FabCon and SQLCon bring together technical learning, product insight, and something just as important: community. Microsoft MVPs describe what stayed with them most - from hallway conversations and first-time introductions to practical sessions and friendships that keep growing long after the event ends. Their reflections show why these events matter: they create space to learn in public, share generously, and help more people find their place in the Fabric and SQL community. Community that starts between sessions Again and again, MVPs described FabCon and SQLCon as more than a place to attend sessions. MVP Jason Romans captured that perfectly: “Those unplanned conversations ended up being just as valuable as anything I learned on a stage.” For him, community showed up in the in-between moments - a shuttle ride, a coffee line, a badge that made it easier to start talking. That same feeling of connection came through in his reflection on finally meeting the Saturday Morning Learning (SML) crew in person after gathering virtually every week to talk Fabric, Power BI, and life. As Jason put it, “The community grows stronger every time someone decides their perspective is worth sharing,” a reminder that contribution often starts with simply showing up and sharing what you know. “The community grows stronger every time someone decides their perspective is worth sharing.” - MVP Jason Romans Connections that last beyond the event That generosity was a recurring theme. MVP Treb Gatte remembered a hallway conversation at a prior FabCon that turned into an impromptu troubleshooting session for a Caribbean team’s real-time election dashboard in Power BI- and learned a year later that it had been the breakthrough they needed. “The connections you make here outlast the event,” he said. His advice for newer community members was equally practical: “Stay curious, stay humble, and let other people teach you.” MVP Heidi Hasting said that one of the most meaningful parts of FabCon and SQLCon is “the feeling that you're not alone in this,” especially when you can connect with data professionals from around the world and turn those introductions into lifelong friendships. She also pointed to the live energy of major announcements and the surprise of seeing how many people are still discovering Microsoft Fabric for the first time. MVP Ginger Grant added another dimension to that experience, describing FabCon and SQLCon as her favorite conference because she gets to “engage with so many different people and learn a lot,” including reconnecting with friends from Australia and New Zealand and meeting new people from Finland, the Netherlands and around the world. She also shared how meaningful it was to be recognized in person by someone who only knew her from an online event. MVP Denny Cherry brought it down to basics with the kind of advice only a longtime community member can give: do not eat dinner alone in your hotel room, meet people, get to know them, and take advantage of being surrounded by thousands of peers from all over the world in one place. “In under a week you can go from feeling like you're working in isolation to realising you're part of a global community of people who care about the same things you do.” - MVP Heidi Hasting bring Power Platform and SQL Server 2025 together in a session focused on building secure, scalable next-generation apps. Learning in public and sharing what works The speaker experience was just as central to the story. MVP Gaston Cruz said he and MVP Alex Rostan designed their session to help people connect business applications, data, and AI without adding complexity - sharing patterns attendees could apply right away with Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, and real-time data experiences. For Gaston, that practical value is what makes these events worth the trip: direct access to product teams, real customer stories, deep technical conversations, and packed rooms full of people genuinely excited to learn and build the future of data and AI together. MVP Paul Stork focused on helping people extend Power BI through the Power Platform, especially for teams trying to act on insights without needing third-party tools. He also described one of his contributions beyond the session itself as talking with attendees and helping them choose sessions that matched their interests. MVP Greg Nash called FabCon “the biggest and best conference on Fabric and SQL in the world” and highlighted Rui Romano’s session on modern Power BI development using AI and GitHub Copilot as a standout moment that made him even more excited about AI-powered DevOps and DataOps patterns. MVP Pragati Jain added that growth often starts with simple, consistent participation - answering questions in forums or community channels, giving proper credit, volunteering for community initiatives, and making space for introverted or first-time attendees through small, welcoming circles. “The connections you make here outlast the event.” - MVP Treb Gatte Arun Ulag. President, Azure Data, Microsoft Why more people should join in Together, these reflections point to what makes FabCon and SQLCon distinctive. Yes, the events offer deep technical content, hands-on learning, and direct access to product teams across Microsoft Fabric and SQL. But the lasting impact comes from what MVPs model so well: learn publicly, share what you know, ask better questions, and invite someone new into the conversation. Whether that looks like submitting your first session, answering a question in a community channel, helping another attendee choose where to spend an hour, or simply starting a conversation in the Community Lounge, the momentum of this community is built one generous interaction at a time. More than anything, these MVP stories show that you do not need to know everything to belong here. You just need curiosity, a willingness to connect, and the confidence to believe your perspective can help someone else. “FabCon and SQLCon are worth the time and energy for me because they offer long-term friendships and a community that is hard to find anywhere else.” - MVP Denny Cherry Why your voice belongs here If these MVP stories sparked an idea for you, follow it. Join a local Fabric or Data Platform user group, engage in the Fabric and Data Platformcommunity online, volunteer, answer a question, or submit a session even if it feels a little early. If you attend FabCon and SQLCon in the future, take Denny Cherry’s advice and talk to people who are not from your home area. Spend time in the Community Lounge or Ask the Experts area, as Pragati Jain suggested. And if you have ever wondered whether you could speak at an event like this, Greg Nash offers the right mindset: "just go and try it." His first presentation on real-time data at the Microsoft Fabric & Power BI Melbourne meetup did not go the way he hoped and "failed miserably,”, but it still inspired others to pick up Power BI. That is the point: your perspective is valuable, community audiences are incredibly forgiving, and FabCon and SQLCon may be exactly the place to find your voice. Want to learn more about the MVP Program? To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn. Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes - with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.How Sharon Weaver and Christian Buckley Help Future MVPs Find Their Path
For many technologists, the Microsoft MVP Award feels inspiring - but also a little mysterious. That is exactly why MVPs Sharon Weaver and Christian Buckley host a monthly AMA (Ask Me Anything) call for aspiring MVPs. Their goal is simple: create a welcoming space where people can ask honest questions, better understand what meaningful community contribution looks like, and feel less alone on the journey. What started as a way to answer the same questions more efficiently has grown into a supportive cohort that helps future MVPs build confidence and momentum. From Curiosity to Community Sharon knows firsthand how often people ask, “How do I become an MVP?” After hearing that question again and again, she realized aspiring MVPs did not just need information - they needed community. “I kept getting lots of people asking me, and I was giving the same answers out over and over and over,” Sharon said. So she and Christian decided to create one place where people could learn together, ask questions openly, and hear practical advice from people who understood the process. Sharon believes that people do not need to become someone else to be recognized as an MVP. “You don’t need to be anything other than who you are. You just need to understand that what you do has value, how to show that value, and then be really good at that and make that visible.” That message resonates because it replaces pressure with purpose. Instead of chasing a checklist or trying to become an influencer overnight, attendees are encouraged to focus on contributions they genuinely enjoy and can sustain over time. “You don’t need to be anything other than who you are. You just need to understand that what you do has value.” - MVP Sharon Weaver The monthly AMA also helps make a big goal feel more attainable. Sharon shared, “Having other people who are not there yet to support you through that journey makes as big a difference as having people who have already been awarded.” Over the past two years, that support has mattered: Sharon said the cohort has helped around 15 people who attended the calls go on to receive the MVP Award. For Sharon, the joy is not in doing the work for anyone else; it is in opening the door, answering questions, and helping others see that their efforts already have value. “One piece of advice from the AMA calls that stayed with me was to make sure your contributions are things you enjoy doing and would do regardless of the MVP title.” - MVP Rachel Sullivan Turning Insight Into Impact One of the biggest myths Sharon hears is that aspiring MVPs need a huge platform to be considered. “Everybody thinks you need to be a speaker or an influencer,” she said. “Pick the things you do, do them well, and be visible.” That advice has helped attendees reframe the process around authentic contribution instead of comparison. MVP Rachel Sullivan reflected, “One piece of advice from the AMA calls that stayed with me was to make sure your contributions are things you enjoy doing and would do regardless of the MVP title.” MVP Karinne Bessette shared a similar takeaway: “The AMA calls made the MVP process feel more approachable because it gave real perspectives from other MVPs and people on the MVP path, which helped fight imposter syndrome.” The monthly calls also help people understand that visibility matters. Sharon encourages attendees to connect with product groups, communicate their impact clearly, and advocate for their work in ways that feel genuine. The path is rarely instant - Sharon estimates many people spend two to three years on the journey - but the combination of clarity, encouragement, and community makes a real difference. Just as importantly, the calls remind people that not receiving the award the first time is not the end of the story. It is simply part of a longer journey of growth, contribution, and persistence. “The AMA calls made the MVP process feel more approachable because it gave real perspectives from other MVPs and people on the MVP path, which helped fight the imposter syndrome.” - MVP Karinne Bessette Why This Matters The value of these AMA calls goes far beyond helping one person earn an award. They remind people that they are not alone, that their voice matters, and that there is space for them in this community exactly as they are. For someone who feels uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure whether what they do is enough, that kind of encouragement can be transformative. It can spark confidence, create connection, and turn self-doubt into action. When people feel seen, supported, and inspired to keep going, the impact reaches far beyond a single moment - it deepens the sense of belonging that makes this community so special. “If these chats help people realize one thing, I hope it’s that there is no specific checklist of tasks to complete to become an MVP. It can be a very different path for each MVP, because there are countless ways to give back to the community. You don’t need to follow someone else’s formula—you need to find a contribution path that’s authentic and sustainable for you." – MVP Christian Buckley Keep the Momentum Going If you are curious about becoming a Microsoft MVP, consider joining Sharon and Christian’s monthly AMA calls and taking the next step alongside others who are asking the same questions. And if you are already an MVP, think about how you might create a similar space in your own region or community. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is make the path feel more visible for someone else. Learn more from Sharon’s blog post, Navigating the Microsoft MVP Nomination Process: Tips and Insights, and meet these community leaders: Sharon Weaver, Christian Buckley, Rachel Sullivan, and Karinne Bessette. Want to Learn More About the MVP Program? To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz. Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes - with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.From Late Nights to Global Impact: Ariane Djeupang’s Microsoft MVP Journey
DjangoCon Africa Some journeys begin with a plan. Others begin with a brave choice—and the determination to keep showing up. For Ariane Djeupang, becoming a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) wasn’t a trophy hunt. It was the next chapter in a much longer story: years of mentoring, organizing, writing, and building community - often with limited resources, but unlimited heart. Meet Ariane: a builder of communities Ariane is a project manager and machine learning engineer based in Cameroon - and a leader across multiple open-source communities. “I’m currently chairing PyCon Africa,” she shared, describing a conference that rotates host countries across the continent. In addition, she volunteers and organizes across the Python and Django ecosystem, mentoring beginners, coaching Django Girls workshops, and helping events run smoothly behind the scenes. “I also mentor people - newcomers and beginners in tech - and those who would like to start their Python or Django journey.” Choosing her own path into tech Growing up, Ariane felt the familiar pressure many young people experience: someone else had already decided what her future “should” be. “My dad wanted me to become a doctor,” she said. But after high school, she made a bold pivot: “I instantly chose to register in computer science.” From there, her world expanded beyond textbooks. A senior student introduced her to a local developer community, and Ariane started asking big questions: “What is a community? … What is that impact?” Soon she was volunteering at events - and then helping build new ones. She and peers co-founded Python Cameroon, fueled by a love for the language and its welcoming learning curve. “I used to describe the syntax as elegant,” she laughed, remembering how she encouraged friends to start learning Python. DjangoCon Africa The moment she became a Microsoft MVP Ariane didn’t set out to chase an award—she didn’t even know the program existed until a friend from the Django community pointed it out. “That was my first time … someone talking about that,” she said. After she was nominated and completed the application, she was welcomed into the Microsoft MVP community - one of only four MVPs in Cameroon, and the first (and currently only) woman MVP in the country. “It’s like a validation of years of dedication for me - because late nights and written tutorials… organizing meetups and events, mentoring aspiring technologists… all these were done with limited resources.” For Ariane, the recognition wasn’t just personal - it was also a statement about what meaningful contribution looks like. “Impact is not just measured by … demography, by geography or privilege,” she said. “It’s measured by consistency.” Professionally, being an MVP opened doors she “never imagined even possible” - including “direct access to Microsoft product teams” and early previews of technology (she mentioned getting access to previews in GitHub Copilot). But she quickly returned to what matters most to her: the people around her. “Perhaps, most importantly, it’s a responsibility,” Ariane said. In a country where digital transformation is still emerging and opportunity can be unevenly distributed, she sees her MVP platform as a way to show others what’s possible - especially for those whose voices are too often overlooked. Ariane’s advice: inclusion is built (and rebuilt) every day When asked what helps communities become more welcoming - especially in global spaces - Ariane didn’t hesitate. She believes experienced community leaders have “a unique responsibility … to set the tone for inclusion.” Here are a few practices she shared that any of us can start using right now. Lead with empathy. “Remember what it felt like to be new,” she said - and also what it felt like “to be uncertain, to be overlooked.” Her takeaway: be patient, approachable, and generous with your time. Lower the barriers to entry. Ariane called out onboarding as a common inclusion failure point: “The onboarding processes are not really … easy for newcomers.” Her fix: beginner-friendly resources and “safe spaces for questions,” recognizing that not everyone starts with the same access or confidence. Actively amplify diverse voices. “Seek out and highlight contributions from women … from people with disabilities … and those from rural or marginalized backgrounds,” she urged, emphasizing that representation matters “at every level.” Mentor and sponsor - then advocate. Mentorship is more than advice: “Connect them with opportunities and also advocate for their inclusion in events, projects and also in leadership roles.” Foster collaboration across communities. She encouraged cross-community partnerships, hybrid events, and knowledge exchange—because “the more we break down silos, the richer our communities become.” “Inclusivity is not just a one-time effort, it’s a continuous practice. By modeling openness, humility, and curiosity… we can create environments where everyone feels they belong, can contribute - contribute meaningfully.” “No rush”: a message to new leaders (and future MVPs) Ariane also offered a refreshingly grounded reminder about growth: it doesn’t have to be frantic to be real. She remembers the early days of MVP onboarding clearly. “There is a lot to know. There is a lot to read,” she said. Her advice: “Don’t rush… no rush. You will learn gradually.” Most importantly, she encouraged new MVPs (and anyone stepping into leadership) to keep doing what earned trust in the first place: “Just continue to work as you used to work.” Yes, new doors open - talk opportunities, volunteering, collaborations - but sustainability matters. “At the end of the day, you are not like a robo,” she said. “You shouldn’t overstress yourself … trying to prove ‘I’m an MVP’ by doing everything at once. “I’m giving 15 talks in one month… I’ve written 100 articles in one month… that’s not sustainable.” Inclusion is also logistics: access, travel, and the power of naming In Ariane’s world, “inclusion” isn’t just what happens on stage - it’s whether people can even get into the room. She spoke candidly about the realities many African technologists face when attending global events: flights that can be “almost 2000” dollars, plus accommodation, ground transportation, and visa fees. Those constraints don’t reflect a lack of talent - they reflect a lack of access. And sometimes, inclusion starts with language. Ariane helped change the name of a conference benefit from “financial aid” to “opportunity grant.” Why? “The main reason we changed it was because of inclusivity reasons,” she explained. Some people avoid applying because they don’t want to be seen as “broken”—when the reality is simply: “I cannot afford maybe a ticket or the flight to attend the conference.” Names matter. They can either add stigma - or open a door. Call to action: be the person who makes the room bigger Ariane’s story is a celebration - but it’s also an invitation. In every region, in every user group, in every online forum, we can choose to be the kind of community member who makes someone feel seen. We can lead with empathy. We can simplify onboarding. We can amplify voices that are too often ignored. And we can sponsor - not just with money, but with introductions, speaking invites, leadership opportunities, and public credit. If you want to learn from Ariane’s advice and support underrepresented voices in your tech community, start here: Make your next welcome explicit. Message a newcomer, invite questions, and share a “getting started” path. Share the mic. Recommend a first-time speaker, co-present, or offer a practice run and feedback. Turn mentorship into sponsorship. Introduce someone to organizers, nominate them for opportunities, and advocate for them in rooms they’re not in yet. Design for access. Offer hybrid options when possible, publish clear event logistics, and be thoughtful about cost and travel barriers. Build partnerships locally. Break down silos by collaborating with neighboring communities, universities, and local meetups to create pathways in your region. Learn more Congratulations again to Ariane - an MVP whose work reminds us that community leadership isn’t about a spotlight. It’s about building ladders, widening doors, and making sure more people get to step into their future. Learn more and connect with Ariane Djeupang through her MVP Profile and on LinkedIn. Want to Learn More About the MVP Program? To find an MVP and learn more about the MVP Program visit the MVP Communities website and follow our updates on LinkedIn or #mvpbuzz. Join us for a future live session through the Microsoft Reactor where we walk through what the MVP program is about, what we look for, and how nominations work. These sessions are designed to help you connect the dots between the work you’re already doing and the impact the MVP Program recognizes - with time for questions, examples, and real conversations.Step-by-Step: Deploy the Architecture Review Agent Using AZD AI CLI
Building an AI agent is easy; operating it is an infrastructure trap. Discover how to use the azd ai CLI extension to streamline your workflow. From local testing to deploying a live Microsoft Foundry hosted agent and publishing it to Microsoft Teams—learn how to do it all without writing complex deployment scripts or needing admin permissions.Stop Drawing Architecture Diagrams Manually: Meet the Open-Source AI Architecture Review Agents
Designing and documenting software architecture is often a battle against static diagrams that become outdated the moment they are drawn. The Architecture Review Agent changes that by turning your design process into a dynamic, AI-powered workflow. In this post, we explore how to leverage Microsoft Foundry Hosted Agents, Azure OpenAI, and Excalidraw to build an open-source tool that instantly converts messy text descriptions, YAML, or README files into editable architecture diagrams. Beyond just drawing boxes, the agent acts as a technical co-pilot, delivering prioritized risk assessments, highlighting single points of failure, and mapping component dependencies. Discover how to eliminate manual diagramming, catch security flaws early, and deploy your own enterprise-grade agent with zero infrastructure overhead.My MVP Story: Finding My Way Into Data and Community - Deborah Jones’ Journey
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?” 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. 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. 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.From ESPN to the Spreadsheet Arena: How Excel MVPs Powered the Microsoft Excel World Championship
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. (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). (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 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.PrivyDoc: Building a Zero-Data-Leak AI with Foundry Local & Microsoft's Agent Framework
Tired of choosing between powerful AI insights and sacrificing your data's privacy? PrivyDoc offers a groundbreaking solution. In this article, Microsoft MVP in AI, Shivam Goyal, introduces his innovative project that brings robust AI document analysis directly to your local machine, ensuring zero data ever leaves your device. Discover how PrivyDoc leverages two cutting-edge Microsoft technologies: Foundry Local: The secret sauce for 100% on-device AI processing, allowing advanced models to run securely without cloud dependency. Microsoft Agent Framework: The intelligent orchestrator that builds a sophisticated multi-agent pipeline, handling everything from text extraction and entity recognition to summarization and sentiment analysis. Learn about PrivyDoc's intuitive web UI, its multi-format support, and crucial features that make it perfect for sensitive industries like legal, healthcare, and finance. Say goodbye to privacy concerns and hello to AI-powered document intelligence without compromise.VS Code Dev Days: How Global MVPs and Communities Brought AI-Powered Coding to Life
The VS Code Dev Days series was a global celebration of AI, community, and learning. Designed to reintroduce developers to Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot, this pilot program brought together Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals), Microsoft employees, GitHub Campus Ambassadors, and Student Ambassadors. Over two months, 92 events across 36 countries transformed Microsoft offices, universities, and community spaces into innovation hubs. What made this truly special was the collaboration — MVPs and local leaders working hand in hand with Microsoft teams to empower thousands of developers eager to explore the next era of coding. From Toronto to Buenos Aires, Islamabad to Bengaluru, VS Code Dev Days showcased the vibrant spirit of the global developer community. Each region added its own unique energy and creativity. In Toronto, Canada, there were two VS Code Dev Days events by MVP Jack Lee who is leading North Toronto Cloud & DevOps User Group and another MVP Ehsan Eskandari who is leading the Metro Toronto Azure Community and celebrated the power of community-led innovation, “Hosting at Microsoft Canada HQ was incredible. Working closely with the Microsoft team made everything smooth — from logistics to content. The interest in VS Code and Copilot was stronger than ever” said Ehsan Eskandari. & DevOps User Group & DevOps User Group In Bengaluru, India, MVP Mohammed Azarudeen and the TechNexus community hosted over 300 developers at Microsoft’s Bellandur office. “It was a hit! The energy was unlimited,” Azarudeen shared. “Having Microsoft’s venue, content support, and FTE partners like Prasanna Nagarajan made the event seamless. Developers were thrilled about Copilot workflows and MCP integration — so many ‘aha!’ moments” continued Azarudeen. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, MVP Pablo Piovano described the day at the University of Buenos Aires as “a space for knowledge, collaboration, and networking that strengthens and empowers the local tech ecosystem.” ru, India In Islamabad, Pakistan, MVP Hamza Khattak led the city’s biggest developer event of the year. “We had 300+ registrations and 111 attendees — all passionate about AI and Copilot,” he reflected. “Microsoft’s support with content, logistics, and visibility made it feel like a true partnership. Seeing students and professionals code together was inspiring” Khattak continued. In Makati, Philippines, MVP Ziggy Zulueta also led inspiring event with more than 100 attendees. Zulueta said, “We not only demonstrated the basic features of the two platforms, Visual Studio Code and GitHub Copilot, but we also had a hackathon for the participants to test out advanced features of autonomous AI development. The energy and attendance inspire me to hold more events.” Across dozens of cities, organizers echoed the same sentiment — MVPs and Microsoft came together to create great events. Impact and Insights Thousands of developers attended in-person and virtual events with feedback indicating that the majority of participants plan to continue using VS Code with GitHub Copilot, citing its intuitive interface, AI-powered productivity, and integration capabilities. MVPs and local organizers highlighted how Microsoft’s regional support — from providing venues and SWAG to content mentorship — elevated the experience. “Access to Microsoft offices gave our communities credibility and excitement,” said MVP Ehsan Eskandari from Toronto. “Having direct connections with local FTEs created lasting bridges between Microsoft and grassroots communities.” These events also reinforced how global developers are at different stages in adopting AI-assisted coding. Some were using Copilot daily; others were encountering it for the first time. Yet all left inspired and equipped to use AI in their workflows. Ultimately, VS Code Dev Days proved what happens when Microsoft and its MVPs co-create experiences — a ripple effect of learning, curiosity, and empowerment. Call to Action VS Code Dev Days wasn’t just an event series — it was an endeavor of collaboration. Together, Microsoft teams, MVPs, and local user groups helped thousands of developers take their first steps into AI-assisted development. Now, the journey continues with the Microsoft AI Tour — a global event where developers and organizations can explore Microsoft’s latest AI tools, Copilot innovations, and real-world applications. Join us to connect with experts, experience hands-on learning, and see how AI can transform your coding journey. The future of development starts here. Resources Learn more about the MVP Program follow us on MVP Program Website and LinkedIn
