Global Partner Solutions Director for Microsoft Australia and New Zealand.

Today I’m thrilled to share the news that I’m starting a new chapter at Microsoft. It’s an absolute honour to announce that as well as continuing as NZ Country Leader, I’ll also be taking on the role of Global Partner Solutions Director for Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. 

What excites me most is that this role sits at the very heart of innovation, as partners are the creative engine of our industry. I am constantly impressed by the incredible work that partners throughout ANZ are doing, and the impact it is having on people, communities and organisations.  

I want to thank my predecessor Rachel Bondi and her incredible team for setting us all up for success. Over the past 5 years at Microsoft, I’ve enjoyed supporting New Zealand customers and partners and watching the ecosystem grow. The recent Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are testament to just how technology is driving impact by delivering meaningful, accessible, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for New Zealand, Australia, and the world. 

We all rise on the same tide. And when I have spent time with partners the number one issue on everyone’s mind is attracting and retaining skilled talent. We have an ambitious mission statement at Microsoft, which is, ‘Empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more.’ We have big investments that will offer impressive technological opportunities across ANZ, but which will also require upskilling on an unprecedented scale.  

This period of upskilling is a moment in time for us to foster greater diversity and inclusion within our industry. This is core to my purpose. At Microsoft we talk a lot about both purpose and impact. And if I could affect one significant change in my time in technology it would be to achieve greater diversity and inclusion within our industry. And we are just getting started with initiatives such as the Microsoft Traineeship Program, 10KWahine, our recent cyberskilling agreement with TupuToa and so much more. 

As we launch into FY23, I hope you can join our flagship partner event Microsoft Inspire where we will be celebrating the work our partners have achieved over the past year as well as offering insight into the key opportunity, programs and resources for partnering with Microsoft in FY23.