Campfire Stories

Charlie is the CTO for Customer Connection at Salesforce, the IoT CTO, responsible for incubating and launching IoT customers. He is a beloved member of the Salesforce Ohana and shares his love of the Trailblazer Community and insight into cool things happening in the world of IoT.

You know him as the #LifeWithGoldie winner from #DF21 but at the virtual campfire, Tony joins special guest co-host Stuart Edeal and shares more about his journey, why he's known as the Curious George, and what he's doing to give back already to the Trailblazer Community. 

Rae's mission is to bring a support system to folks who are strayed from and trying to reconnect to their roots. Check out their story of where they come from, where they're going, and how they are looking to bring folks along with them. Stay tuned till the end for a special announcement from Melinda!

Special recognition to Campfire Stories Alumni, Miranda Ragland, Ashley Allen, and Devohnne Moore. And a hearty thank you to returning Melinda Smith for being co-host. 

Connect with Rae on Twitter or on their website strayedroots. As mentioned in the episode, find out more about what Bitwise is doing for underrepresented groups in tech or reach out to Stacey or Melinda for more info on Consultant Crew.

Melissa Hill Dees returns as special guest cohost and we welcome Engin Utkan to the campfire. 

Engin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/enginutkan

Salesforce Break on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiAtLu2wQuejhOiAePxM2sw

Engin on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/user/engin-utkan/

Special thank you to Michelle Hansen "the best connector", a shout out to Marissa Kraines getting Trailblazers prepared for Dreamforce every year and to #foodforce keeping us all drooling over the latest concoctions made by Trailblazers. We also dreaming of both Dreamforce 2021 and Florida Dreamin' while reminiscing of FLD's past, including first impressions of Chris Duarte: that really nice lady and she has nice stickers.

Shonnah Hughes has been celebrated by countless individuals in the Salesforce ecosystem and beyond. Her bold nails and vibrate hair bringing inspiration and permission to many is one reason that representation does matters. 

As part of our #BAM series, previous Campfire guest Cece Adams returns as a special guest co-hosts as Shonnah Hughes joins the virtual campfire. Hear what inspires Shonnah to be her true self, where her motivation comes from, and how the saying "Closed mouths don't get fed" has kept her moving forward and speaking her truth. 

Vanessa Grant shares several chapters of her stories at the virtual campfire, including how she used social media to build her influence and be seen, tips for getting connected to the Trailblazer Community, and why it seems like she is everywhere right now. 

Special shouts out to several Salesforce events and where to find more info:

Salesforce often speaks of how business can be a platform for change. Our guest, Cece Adams has shared that her Salesforce career was a platform for changing her life. Hear her heroic story of how Salesforce helped her escape abuse, how Shonna’s nails sparked inspiration, and what she really wants for her birthday this year.

If you have feelings of harming yourself, please get help. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day either by phone at 800-273-8255 or chat https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

This is our "resistance story" because Cece showed resisted being held down time after time and because of the hurdles she and Stacey overcame to get this episode published for you, Listeners. 

To celebrate three years of Campfire Stories, we've asked our alumni to return and share what's happening in their lives. Join Justice and Stacey as they catch up with Aaron, Nick, Melisa, and more in our annual reunion episode. 

Join Justice Sikakane Sr and Stacey Cogswell as they chat at the Campfire with Jarrett Taylor. Jarrett shares his love of stalking animals, stories from his tour of Salesforce events, and how he overcame fear and procrastination to get his Admin Certification.

Episode 26 at the virtual campfire shares the story of a relentless job seeker who overcame many hurdles, including her own mind. Hear the persistent and creative ways she fought her way into her dream job and feel the power of the Salesforce Community with the "Ohana Cheerleaders"