“The importance of creating inclusive technologies like the hybrid event room is deeply personal for me.”

During the pandemic, Experience Lead Sascha Ackermann and his team set out to make meetings and events more inclusive, for both remote and on-site teams. The result was Microsoft’s first hybrid event room.
Thad Stafford wears a green jacket in front of a blue colorful background.

“It wasn’t until I started learning about all the different types of PTSD that I realized you don’t have to have fought in war to have it.”

For Customer Success Account Manager Thad Stafford, struggles with PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse disorder led to an early retirement from law enforcement—and an unexpected fresh start.
Dylan wearing a blue button-down shirt and smiling in front of a brown background with colorful hues.

“Your culture is your personal contribution and helps shape how you view or solve a problem.”

Cloud Solution Architect Dylan Apera leverages the power of soft skills learned from his small island upbringing to build relationships with customers. 
Venus wearing glasses and smiling in front of a brown background with colorful hues.

“Being that Microsoft is at the forefront of change, I’ve learned in my time here that it’s important to have the Indigenous voice strongly represented.”

Surface Specialist and 2022 Pinnacle Award winner Venus Taare channels the support she’s received from mentors and allies into advocating for more Māori and Pasifika representation in the tech sector.