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.
