Contributing to the tech community takes time — something that gets harder to find as life gets busier. That's part of why this recognition means so much.
I'm happy to share that I've been renewed as a Microsoft MVP for 2025-2026.
This is my ninth year in the program, and it still means as much now as it did when I first received the award back in 2017. It's not the kind of thing you get used to — every renewal is a reminder that the work you're putting into the community is being recognized.
What the Microsoft MVP Program Provides
The MVP award is an invaluable resource to me personally. It gives me a more direct line of communication with the Microsoft product teams and employees — the ability to provide feedback, collaborate on things together, and get early insight into where the platform is heading. That access makes me better at what I do, and it makes the guidance I share with the community more informed.
The award also validates the work I'm doing in the Microsoft space and the impact on its community. The majority of my contributions live on the CommunityDays.org platform — organizing events, supporting other organizers, and helping grow the community events ecosystem.
But that's just one piece. I'm still highly technical and sharing knowledge through blog posts and talks. I'm mentoring the next generation of developers coming into this space and solving real customer problems every day. I'm running events locally and visiting and supporting other events around the world.
And it helps with community events in a real, tangible way. When we organize and run events for our local community, people are more confident that the event will be of value when it's organized and delivered by Microsoft MVPs. That credibility opens doors — for speakers, for sponsors, and most importantly for attendees who take time out of their day to show up and learn.
What This Past Year Looked Like
On the MGCI (Microsoft Global Community Initiative) side, I joined the board and participate in weekly meetings with Microsoft to help steer the direction of Community Days. A few times a month there are MGCI board meetings, and I'm running the Tech and Tools subcommittee — focused on the platform and tooling that powers CommunityDays.org. I also pop in on the MGCI Community Event Organizer Training & Office Hours to help new organizers get started.
A new role this year: a recurring bi-weekly appearance on the M365 General Dev Special Interest Group (SIG). It's been a great way to stay connected with the broader developer community and share what we're building.
Behind the scenes, I've put thousands of hours into developing on CommunityDays.org — the platform that supports community events worldwide. That work doesn't always get visibility, but it's foundational to everything else.
Events — Running, Attending, Supporting
On the events front, this was a big year. I helped bring M365 NJ back, ran M365 NYC for our biggest and best event since the pandemic, organized AI Conference (AICO) New York City and M365 Philly, and helped out with M365 DC. I also attended events like TechCon Atlanta and M365 Memphis! — showing up to support other communities matters just as much as running your own.
Mentorship and Connections
Beyond events, I've been focused on mentoring — helping people navigate their careers in this space, making introductions, and connecting folks with job opportunities when I can. Some of the most rewarding work isn't visible at all. It's a conversation that helps someone land their next role or find the confidence to submit their first session.
The Ideas That Didn't Ship
I'll also be honest about the handful of initiatives that started with momentum but didn't have enough bandwidth to fully develop. Time and resources are finite. Some ideas need to wait for the right season — and knowing when to put something on hold is just as important as knowing when to start.
Continuing to Contribute While Life Changes
I'll be honest — the landscape of contributing has changed for me personally. Early in my MVP journey, time was abundant. I could travel to events, write late into the night, and pour hours into side projects without thinking twice. Now I'm a father of two young girls, and that math is different. I'm doing what I can to give back while also being an involved parent.
That tension has actually made me more intentional about where I spend my time. I focus on contributions that have the most impact — the events that reach the most people, the blog posts that solve real problems, the mentoring conversations that help someone take their next step. Less time means I have to make it count.
The goal hasn't changed since before I ever had the MVP title: if something I share helps one person solve a problem or learn something new, that's the mission accomplished. I just have to be smarter about how I get there now.
Thank you to Microsoft and to everyone in the community who makes this worth doing.
If you're thinking about contributing to the community — speaking, organizing events, or sharing what you've learned — start small and get involved. The ecosystem grows stronger every time someone decides to give back.
