In the 11th episode of the Microsoft Spotlight podcast, we speak to Microsoft's Anne Michels who works as the Director of Product Marketing for Microsoft Teams. Anne passionately speaks about her job at Microsoft, her love for Microsoft Teams, and how it has positively helped the world in a time of crisis.

Recording this during her maternity leave, Anne talks about her she got into her role at Microsoft and her experiences from speaking at big conferences such as Microsoft Ignite. Anne is also passionate about her work/life balance as a working Mum and how she is navigating a working life as a mother of two.

You can also reach out to Anne on our LinkedIn Group - Microsoft Women In Tech: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9053874/ where Anne has volunteered to help mentor those within the group.

Anne's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anne_Michels

Andrew and Jon welcome Layla Porter aka LaylaCodesIT to the 10th episode of the Microsoft Spotlight Podcast. Laya works as a Developer Advocate for VMware Tanzu and is a Microsoft MVP and GitHub Star! Layla speaks to our hosts about her journey into IT and her rise in just over 5 years in the industry. Layla talks about her work as a content creator on Twitch, dealing with trolls, and her role as a .NET Developer Advocate.

Layla's Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaylaCodesIt

Layla's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layla-porter/

On episode 9 of the Microsoft Spotlight we welcomed Anna Chu who is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft! Australian native Anna is based out of Seattle currently and works predominately in the Microsoft Tech Community, working on the launch to what it is today.

Anna talks to our hosts about starting at Microsoft as a graduate 15  years ago and her experiences of not only being female but a female with a diverse background. Anna also gives some great advice on how to win competitions for a fully paid wedding!

Anna Chu’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/_achu

On the 8th episode of the Microsoft Spotlight Podcast, we are joined by the one and only Karuana Gatimu the Principal Program Manager for the  Customer Advocacy group for Teams. She is one of the most recognizable faces within Microsoft having hosted several Microsoft lead events including MSIgnite and many other community-driven events.   

Karuana takes time out of her busy schedule to share her journey having been a theatre-trained dancer to working as a GM for a large  Professional Services organization before working for Microsoft and developing solutions for Satya Nadella office.     

Karuana's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Karuana Karuana's 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karuanagatimu/ 

Andrew's Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewatchernode 

Microsoft Spotlight Twitter: https://twitter.com/msftspotlight 

Jon's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonjarvis

In this episode of the Microsoft Spotlight podcast, Kathi Kellenberger talks to our hosts about the journey from working in pharmaceuticals to pursuing a new career in IT. Being our first active MVP on the podcast, Kathi talks about how she became an MVP and maintained the award for 11 years. Kathi has done it all in her career; an MVP, a developer, a DBA, consultant, trainer, author, and now an editor!

Kathi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/auntkathi

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This episode of the Microsoft Spotlight podcast features Jen Stirrup,  CEO, and Founder of Data Relish. Jen talks to our hosts about her life  growing up in technology, having learned to code from a young age! Other  topics include work as a speaker, the effects of social media, being a  single parent, and also a little bit of martial arts!

Jen is the creator of the Diversity Charter which we at the Microsoft Spotlight wholeheartedly agree with.

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On episode 5 of the Microsoft Spotlight podcast, Andrew and Jon speak to Microsoft's Laurie Pottmeyer! Laurie passionately talks about her role as the Microsoft Teams Community Manager and how she positively engages with the community to improve the Microsoft Teams experience, including the creation of the Women in Teams community. As a single Mum who travels a lot, Laurie tells Andrew and Jon how she structures life around her kids and how her daughter even managed a trip to Paris for a conference!

Laurie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriepottmeyer

In this episode of the Microsoft Spotlight podcast, Andrew and Jon are joined by Catriona Janes of Tibco Software!  

Catriona speaks about working with dyslexia and spreading awareness about neurological illnesses. She also talks about her early career, working during the pandemic, and her journey into IT. Catriona has worked extensively within the WIT network in the past 12  months, listen to see how the WIT Network can benefit everyone!  

Links Mentioned 

Catriona's Twitter: https://twitter.com/catnottingham 

Catriona's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrionajanes/ 

Andrew's Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewatchernode

Microsoft Spotlight Twitter: https://twitter.com/msftspotlight

Jon's Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonjarvis 

Fearless Organisation - https://fearlessorganization.com/ 

The WIT Network: http://www.thewitnetwork.com

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In the third episode of Microsoft Spotlight, Andrew and Jon speak to Corinna Lins who works as a Modern Workspace Consultant in Germany. Corinna is very well known throughout the community for being an active speaker as events such as CollabDays, SharePoint Saturdays and CollabSummit. Corinna also organisers Collaboration Meetup and collabDays Munich.

In the episode, Corinna talks to us about her early years in IT, how she moved into consultancy and spoke about her goals in the future.

Links Mentioned

In today's episode Andrew and Jon speak to Zoe Wilson who is the Head of Enterprise Collaboration and Productivity at Agilisys.  The main discussion points of the conversation include Zoe's work with Women in the Community, how she got started within IT and how her career has progressed from the IT service desk to a senior figure within a Microsoft partner.

Zoe is an aspiring Microsoft MVP having spoken at many events in the past, we spoke about the most recent Scottish Summit event and the journey towards MVP status.

Links Mentioned:

Microsoft Spotlight Twitter: Microsoft Spotlight (@msftspotlight) / Twitter

Jon's Twitter: Jon Jarvis (@jonjarvis) / Twitter