Frontier Partners

How partners will win in 2026: pick one marketable superpower, prove it as customer‑zero, and scale value with agentic AI. Host Fede Pacheco is joined by Alexa Easley as they share real stories and leadership perspectives—from multiple partner voices to EPS CVP Nina Harding and her Leadership Team, Lori Borg, Tony Surma, Heather Deggans, and Jim Lee. Every conversation explores their perspectives as they share real-world examples of Copilot and agentic AI delivering measurable business impact for thousands of organizations across the Americas Enterprise segment. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• How top partners pick one marketable superpower, align it to a measurable outcome, and replicate it. 
• What acting as customer zero really looks like, with concrete adoption strategies and tangible outcomes 
• What Enterprise focused partners are learning from leading the AI frontier? 

Some questions we ask:     

• What’s your partner superpower—and which Frontier pillar does your story light up (and why)?  
• How are you acting as customer zero today, and what measurable outcomes can you point to? 
• What makes a thriving relationship between partners and their PDMs? 

Resources:  

• Join our Microsoft Americas Partner Community group on Linkedin 
• Watch all the 13 interviews from this episode 
• Connect with host Fede Pacheco on LinkedIn to share your partner success stories 
•  Become a Copilot Power User |  Build your practice today 
• Case studies covered in this episode: 
• Best Buy pairs Microsoft Security solutions with Tanium for more visibility and ease 
• Cloudforce and Microsoft accelerate AI research at a top organization 
• NTT DATA Transforms Its Enterprise with Agentic AI 
• NRI drives operational excellence with Microsoft 365 
• After successful pilot, Reply deploys Copilot wall-to-wall at BPM 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

• Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast 
• Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
• Afternoon Cyber Tea     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This first episode of the rebranded Microsoft Frontier Partners Podcast dives into the biggest AI and Copilot announcements coming out of Ignite 2025, as host Fede Pacheco and guest Karin Skapski, Sr. Partner Solutions Architect, break down what matters most for partners. They explore the launch of Copilot for Business, the debut of Agent 365 for managing AI agents at scale, and WorkIQ, the intelligence layer that deepens Copilot’s contextual understanding. Throughout the episode, partners from across the Frontier Club share their thoughts and excitement on customer adoption, security, real-world AI use cases, and what it means to become a true Frontier firm.  

In this episode you’ll learn:    

• How partners are using Copilot Chat to lead Frontier Transformation 
• Why monthly active usage is becoming a key success metric for AI adoption 
• What customer zero looks like inside leading partner organizations 

Some questions we ask:     

• How does Copilot for Business make AI more accessible for smaller organizations? 
• Why is Agent 365 such an important addition for managing AI agents? 
• What does WorkIQ add to the Copilot experience for users and developers? 

Resources:  

• Microsoft Ignite 2025 Book of News 
• Copilot Business Blog | Launch Kit in English, Spanish, French 
• Agent 365  | Copilot and agents built to power the Frontier Firm (including WorkIQ) 
• Frontier Partner badge | Frontier Distributor designation 
• CPO Nicole Dezen’s Ignite Recap 
• RSM Case Study  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

• Hybrid Cloud Partners  
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast  
• Afternoon Cyber Tea     

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of No Slides Attached, Fede Pacheco and Shivani Ranganathan bring you the voices, news, announcements, and excitement from IT Nation Secure 2025 in Orlando. This episode features exclusive interviews with leaders, industry experts, and partners from ConnectWise, discussing AI, Microsoft's powered security strategies, and the strength of the MSP community. Tune in to hear about the latest trends and insights from the cybersecurity world. 

• The importance of AI and automation for MSPs 
• How Microsoft's security strategies align with ConnectWise technologies. 
• The role of community and ecosystem in driving growth and innovation. 

• What are the key trends in AI and automation for MSPs? 
• How do Microsoft's security tools integrate with ConnectWise solutions? 
• What are the benefits of community and peer learning for MSPs? 

• Join the Microsoft Americas Partners Linkedin Community 
• Learn more about ConnectWise and their cybersecurity solutions. 
• Explore the ConnectWise 2025 Cybersecurity report  
• Watch our compilation of interviews here 

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco revisit standout moments and insights from Season 2’s incredible lineup of guests, and dive into the critical role security plays in various industries, particularly in the context of AI and data protection. They explore how companies, from retail to healthcare, must integrate security into every phase of their processes to protect valuable customer data and maintain trust. Discussions highlight the importance of "security by design" and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity challenges, including compliance, bad actors, and privacy concerns. Experts from different sectors share their experiences and strategies for navigating the complex world of security, emphasizing the need for responsible innovation and collaboration in the face of emerging technologies. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Challenges retailers face when managing security particularly in protecting customer data
• The importance of privacy and security with the rise of AI in the educational industry
• Security concerns come and how companies balance speed with proper risk management

Some questions we ask: 

• How does a data breach affect a retailer's brand and sales?
• Why is PCI compliance crucial for retailers?
• How do privacy standards like GDPR affect the use of AI in education?

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco revisit standout moments and insights from Season 2’s incredible lineup of guests, showcasing how AI is transforming industries like healthcare, education, public safety, financial services, and retail. From leveraging DNA for personalized medical treatments to developing technologies that de-escalate police encounters, we explore bold innovations shaping the future. Experts share their visionary goals and the untapped potential of AI to solve complex challenges, from improving educational access to revolutionizing manufacturing. This episode highlights the limitless possibilities of AI and how close we are to realizing its full potential in 2025 and beyond. 

In this episode you’ll learn:       

• How AI will analyze DNA to personalize medical treatments and enhance preventive care 
• Reducing police-community fatalities by 50% in 10 years using AI technology 
• AI’s role in streamlining and making college admissions more equitable 

Some questions we ask:      

• What are some key challenges that AI has yet to address within the healthcare industry? 
• How is AI shaping the future of manufacturing, and which companies are at the forefront? 
• What industries are currently experiencing the most promise from AI integration? 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast   
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   
• The BlueHat Podcast  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco continue their industry series by diving into the intersection of AI innovation and state and local government. They’re joined by Bryan Wheeler, SVP of Product and GM of the Axon Productivity Suite, who shares insights into Axon’s mission to protect life through cutting-edge technology like body-worn cameras and AI-powered applications. Brian highlights the groundbreaking DraftOne solution, which uses AI to create first drafts of police reports, reducing the administrative burden on officers and allowing them to focus more on community safety. Later, Molly Pfister and David Leopold from Microsoft discuss AI’s transformative role in government innovation. They highlight Axon’s forward-thinking approach to leveraging AI for public safety, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead of trends, understanding customer needs, and aligning technology with mission goals.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• The broader impact of AI in revolutionizing public safety
• How AI is helping Axon create incident reports through the DraftOne solution

Some questions we ask: 

• How does Axon’s DraftOne solution leverage AI?
• What do you see as the future potential for AI in public safety?

Resources:

• Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #NoSlidesAttached
• Let's partner
• DraftOne - Demo Video
• Microsoft Industry Solutions
• Case Study: Axon enhances public safety and cuts report-writing time in half using Draft One, an AI-powered solution built on Microsoft Azure
• Microsoft Ignite: AI for the Public Sector with Microsoft 365 Copilot GCC | Learn More

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco are joined by Derek McCoy from Rescale, a leader in cloud manufacturing solutions and a partner in Microsoft’s manufacturing cloud. Derek shares insights on the shift toward digital testing in manufacturing, a trend that reduces costs and expands testing possibilities. He notes that as companies prioritize digital over physical testing, they need a robust technological infrastructure to ensure safety and reliability. Afterwards, Helane and Fede speak with Rochelle Fleming, a manufacturing expert from the go-to-market team with over 20 years of marketing experience. Rochelle highlights the need for manufacturers to focus on resilient supply chains and smart factories, addressing challenges like material shortages and labor issues through advanced technologies like AI and IoT.  

In this episode you’ll learn:       

• Implementing security measures for digital tools and products in the industrial metaverse 
• How cloud-based manufacturing is helping companies innovate & prioritizing data security 
• Leveraging industry resources such as industry kits to enhance customer engagement 

Some questions we ask:      

• How do we connect the future of manufacturing with your vision at Rescale? 
• What are some of the key trends you're seeing in the industry over the last 12 months? 
• How does this innovation in manufacturing impact the customer at the end of the supply chain? 

Resources:   

• Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #NoSlidesAttached 
• Let's partner 
• Microsoft Industry Solutions | Manufacturing 
• Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative 

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast   
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast   
• The BlueHat Podcast  

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco are joined by joined by Heiko Claussen, Co-Chief Technology Officer of AspenTech, to explore how their technology is tackling energy efficiency and sustainability in industries such as chemicals, electric grids, and subsurface engineering. Heiko highlights AspenTech’s focus on sustainability through process optimization to cut emissions and costs. Later Maureen Mascaro, who leads Go-To-Market for the Energy Industry, and George Corugedo, Dir Partner Technology Strategist, discuss Microsoft's collaboration with industry leaders like AspenTech on sustainable energy innovations. The conversation explores how AI, data, and industry expertise tackle key energy challenges, from achieving net-zero emissions to managing infrastructure and navigating the energy transition.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Cybersecurity's crucial role in AspenTech’s vision and operations
• Key trends in AI such as the use of machine learning for model adaptability

Some questions we ask:

• How is AI driving the energy transition and shaping market trends?
• What’s Aspen Tech’s vision around energy and sustainability?

Resources:

• Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #NoSlidesAttached
• Let's partner
• Microsoft Industry Solutions | Energy
• Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative
• Blog: Sustainable by design: Advancing the sustainability of AI
• Sustainability Partners
• Blog: Introducing adapted AI models for industry

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco are joined by Rob Want from Avanade, our Retail Partner of the Year. Rob shares insights on the integration of AI to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations, plus the importance of data security to guarantee customer loyalty. Later Helane and Fede welcome Ricardo Belmar, a prominent retail influencer and host of the Retail Razor Show. They highlight the critical role of data in retail, focusing on its impact on shopper experiences, agile supply chains, and empowered workforces.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How AI helps retailers optimize inventory and forecast sales
• Why AI is transforming retail while upholding human values and security

Some questions we ask:

• How is Avanade innovating with AI in the retail space?
• What’s retailers’ biggest obstacle with AI?

Resources:

Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #NoSlidesAttached

Let's partner

Microsoft Industry Clouds | Retail

Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative

Opportunities to optimize retail operations with AI

The Future of Retail with AI

Envisioning Webinars: AI for Retail Listing Page

Retail sales bootcamp | On Demand

Retail Marketing Campaigns for partners

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence

The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of No Slides Attached, Helane Cohen and Fede Pacheco are joined by Dan Rodriguez, Chief Marketing Officer at 3Cloud, who discusses the company’s award-winning data and AI practice and their focus on healthcare. Dan highlights the importance of scalable data platforms and secure by design strategies in enabling AI-driven healthcare advancements, such as personalized treatment plans and improved diagnostics, to improve people’s lives. Later in the episode, Helane and Fede chat with Agustin J. Nolte, a director of partner marketing focused on healthcare and life sciences. They discuss the significant advancements in technology within the healthcare industry and their potential to unlock a $1T opportunity.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Challenges in AI adoption including financial constraints and integration issues
• Key stakeholders for securing buy-in in the industry
• The role of security and compliance in the healthcare industry’s adoption of AI technology

Some questions we ask:

• What is something that AI has helped achieve that was impossible a few years ago?
• Can you share examples of technology improving patient care or saving lives?
• What resources does Microsoft offer for healthcare innovation or launching a practice?

Resources:

1.  Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #NoSlidesAttached
2. Let's partner
3. Microsoft Industry Clouds
4. Microsoft’s Secure Future Initiative
5. Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare
6. Blog: Microsoft makes the promise of AI in healthcare real through new collaborations with healthcare organizations and partners
7. Microsoft Industry Webinar Series: Health and life sciences

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

• Microsoft Hybrid Cloud Partners Podcast
• The Microsoft Threat Intelligence
• The BlueHat Podcast

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Download the Transcript

Produced by Hangar Studios

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.