In this special finale of Insights Tomorrow, hosts Patrick LeBlanc and Swetha Mannepalli take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the incredible journey of the podcast. From deep dives into AI, data transformations, and ethical tech discussions to invaluable insights from industry leaders, this series has explored the ever-evolving landscape of data and AI. As they wrap up, Patrick and Swetha introduce an exciting new chapter—Fabric Tech Talk Fridays (F²T²)—a hands-on, interactive series dedicated to exploring Microsoft Fabric’s latest advancements. Tune in to hear their favorite moments, biggest takeaways, and what’s next for the future of data-driven innovation. 

Resources:     

View Swetha Mannepalli on LinkedIn  

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc is joined by Wangui McKelvey, who leads product marketing for Microsoft's data analytics portfolio. Wangui highlights the transformative impact of AI on marketing, especially in boosting productivity by speeding up the creative process. She reflects on major product launches she has been part of, including IBM Security, Windows 365, and Microsoft Fabric. The conversation also touches on the potential future of AI integration and overcoming customer hesitancy towards adopting AI innovations. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• How AI and data technologies are significantly improving productivity in marketing 
• The importance of having a supportive network and mentors in career development 
• AI tools like Microsoft's CoPilot are revolutionizing the way marketers develop presentations 

Some questions we ask:     

• What are some lesser-known tools marketers should consider for their work? 
• How can marketers stay updated with the latest tools and technologies in their field? 
• What are some tools and software marketers use to boost productivity? 

Resources:    

View Wangui McKelvey on LinkedIn    

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc is joined by Scott Hanselman, VP of Developer Community at Microsoft. Patrick and Scott discuss Scott’s background in technology, starting with a pivotal moment when his parents sold their van to buy him a Commodore 64 based on his teacher's recommendation. They talk about the importance of fundamentals in tech, staying updated with evolving technology, the impact of open source, and motivating people in tech communities. Scott emphasizes the value of returning to basics and using technology to empower others. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• The complexities of balancing work and personal life while managing a tech team 
• Privilege and responsibility of being an educator in the tech community 
• Impact of open source and motivating people in tech communities 

Some questions we ask:     

• Has Microsoft influenced your views on tech or software development? 
• What drives your passion for engaging with and growing the tech community? 
• What's one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to start a career in tech? 

Resources:    

View Scott Hanselman on LinkedIn    

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc is joined by Melissa LaVarnway, a cybersecurity generalist at Microsoft. Melissa discusses her extensive experience in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of security in today's digital world. She highlights the need for individuals to protect their personal information online and for organizations to secure their data. Melissa and Patrick also touch on various security measures, such as two-factor authentication and encryption, and stress the importance of security in different industries like financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• The benefits of transitioning to cloud-based systems 
• Maintaining control and managing costs while ensuring security 
• Challenges posed by international laws and regulations  

Some questions we ask:     

• What strategies can small organizations employ to enhance their cybersecurity posture? 
• How can organizations mitigate risks associated with storing and processing data? 
• What ethics must companies consider when handling data? 

Resources:    

View Melissa LaVarnway on LinkedIn    

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On this episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc is joined by James Serra, Data & AI Solution Architect at Microsoft. The conversation delves into data ingestion best practices, including documenting data sources, considering future needs, and addressing challenges in integrating data from disparate sources. James stresses the complexity of data warehousing and the absence of an "easy button" solution, emphasizing the need for thorough planning and understanding of the data landscape. James and Patrick’s discussion provides insights into the complexities of data architectures and the importance of strategic planning and knowledge in navigating them effectively.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• The importance of well-defined data architectures for organizations  
• Different approaches to data processing and their impact on architecture 
• Data governance and its role in ensuring data quality, security, and compliance 

Some questions we ask:     

• How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in data architecture? 
• What is your experience with data modeling and database design? 
• Can you discuss a challenging data integration project you've worked on? 

Resources:    

View James Serra on LinkedIn   

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc and Bob Ward, Principal Architect for Microsoft SQL, join the show to discuss Bob's career journey. Starting from his college days, working on C programming against mainframe databases, and later specializing in database products like Ingress and Oracle, Bob shares his transition to Microsoft. He details joining the technical support team for SQL Server when internet and email were absent, relying on phone and fax communication. The conversation delves into the challenges of transitioning from on-premises databases to SQL and VM in Azure. Bob and Patrick touch on performance concerns and how the cloud has both eased and retained some challenges. They emphasize the importance of query tuning and performance monitoring in virtual machines or a platform-as-a-service environment, highlighting how certain classic SQL practices still apply. 

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• Working in tech support for SQL Server in the absence of internet and email 
• Insights into the evolution of SQL Server highlighting key changes and advancements 
• Challenges transitioning from on-premises databases to SQL and VM in Azure 

Some questions we ask:     

• How do certain classic SQL practices still apply in the modern cloud environment? 
• When did you transition from a developer to specializing in SQL Server at Microsoft? 
• How did SQL Server's shift from on-premises to the cloud? 

Resources:    

View Bob Ward on LinkedIn  

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc and the Global Chief Technology Officer for Education at Microsoft, Serena Sacks-Mandel, discuss technology initiatives that empower organizations, students, and teachers to use Microsoft platforms and tools. The conversation delves into Serena's role as the CTO at Microsoft, where she discusses her function at the intersection of sales, marketing, and engineering, influencing product development and sales strategy. Patrick and Serena chat about the significance of data analytics in education, Microsoft's role in shaping global education, and the inclusive tools within Microsoft Teams for Education.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• The importance of data analytics and education solutions 
• Global integration of Microsoft 365 and Teams in educational institutions 
• Microsoft's three primary goals for AI in education 

Some questions we ask:     

• What products have been impactful in driving Microsoft's role in education? 
• How has Microsoft made its technology more accessible to students? 
• What do you see as the future of Microsoft influencing global education? 

Resources:    

View Serena Sacks-Mandel on LinkedIn 

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc and Chief Operating Officer of Egnite, Jessica Neufeld, discuss her work at a digital healthcare company dedicated to improving cardiovascular patient care by applying artificial intelligence and big data to produce business intelligence for healthcare, elevating the role of data in critical decisions. Jessica leads the company's operations, new business development, marketing, medical affairs, and strategic planning. Patrick and Jessica also speak about the current state of AI adoption in healthcare, the challenges healthcare organizations face, and the role of technology in improving patient care.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• The use of AI in predicting disease progression 
• Success stories of AI implementation in healthcare 
• Emerging trends in AI and business intelligence for the healthcare industry 

Some questions we ask:     

• How is AI currently being utilized in the healthcare industry? 
• What challenges do healthcare organizations face in adopting AI? 
• How do you overcome skepticism when introducing new technologies? 

Resources:    

View Jessica Neufeld on LinkedIn 

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc and Chief Product and Innovation Officer Shivani Stumpf discuss her role in shaping the product direction and strategy for one of the largest education technology providers in the world. Power School serves 50 million students across 90+ countries, with a significant presence in the United States. Patrick and Shivani also talk about what personalized learning means in the context of education, how AI is currently being used at Power School to tailor the learning experience for students, and the challenges faced by educators and institutions in implementing AI, from securing sensitive student data, dealing with ransomware threats, the rapid evolution of technology, and more. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:      

• How to ethically introduce AI into the ecosystem of different school districts 
• Best practices for educators who are interested in integrating AI into their classrooms 
• The need to understand students holistically to personalize education pathways 

Some questions we ask:     

• What role do teachers play in this AI-driven personal learning environment? 
• How will parents benefit from this new AI process in schools? 
• What developments or trends in the field of educational AI are you excited about? 

Resources:    

View Shivani Stumpf on LinkedIn 

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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On today's episode of Insights Tomorrow, Patrick LeBlanc and Partner Director of Products with the Cloud and AI organization at Microsoft, Wee Hyong, discuss his journey into the tech and data field, the importance of infusing AI into products to provide value differentiation, and how technology has evolved over the years to offer no-code and low-code interfaces for data integration.  

In this episode you’ll learn:      

• How data integration has evolved at Microsoft 
• Potential AI capabilities coming to Data Factory and Power Query 
• The evolution of Power Query and how it has become a powerful ETL tool 

Some questions we ask:     

• When did you transition into AI, and what led you to that field? 
• How has the process of data integration evolved at Microsoft? 
• Can you explain modern data and the infusion of data integration technologies? 

Guest bio  

Wee Hyong is a highly accomplished leader in Data and AI, boasting a stellar track record of steering multi-million dollar enterprises to enduring dominance within their respective industries. Throughout his illustrious career, Wee Hyong has adorned numerous hats, having excelled as a developer, a seasoned product manager, a data scientist, an innovative researcher, and a trusted technical advisor. Furthermore, he has penned over 10 authoritative books on Data and AI. These diverse and rich professional experiences have endowed him with a distinct set of stills, enabling him to conquer some of the world's most intricate and challenging technological enigmas. 

Resources:    

View Wee Hyong on LinkedIn 

View Patrick LeBlanc on LinkedIn 

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

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