#empowHER50 – Stefani Quarles

True empowerment begins with access—when barriers are removed, possibilities expand, and people can shape their own futures. 

Stefani Quarles has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers, and ensuring that information, resources, and opportunities are accessible to all. 

At Microsoft, Stefani has championed AI Innovation Challenges in partnership with Women in Cloud and other nonprofits, helping entrepreneurs and changemakers leverage AI to drive impact. Her work has provided mentorship, tools, and connections to help underrepresented communities scale their solutions. 

She has also played a key role in DigiGirlz and STEAM initiatives, inspiring young women and diverse talent to explore careers in technology. By expanding access to learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, Stefani is shaping the next generation of innovators. 

Beyond these programs, her leadership in Customer Success and Azure Go-to-Market transformations has focused on removing barriers and simplifying complex processes, ensuring customers, partners, and teams can thrive. 

“Access isn’t just about technology—it’s about opening doors, breaking barriers, and equipping people with the tools to create their own opportunities.” — Stefani Quarles 

Stefani sees this campaign as an opportunity to drive meaningful impact by amplifying voices, improving access to resources, and strengthening pathways for growth. Through collaboration and connection, she is committed to creating a more inclusive and empowered tech ecosystem. 

About #empowHER50 campaign:

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Yanna Andronopoulou

Technology is reshaping our world, and ensuring women have equal opportunities isn’t just progress—it’s transformative.  

Yanna Andronopoulou is at the forefront of this change, pioneering initiatives that empower women to lead in tech. As the leader of Microsoft South East Europe Women Employee Resource Group (ERG), she launched with her team the Women’s AI Hackathon across nine countries, inspiring 900 applicants and equipping 100 women with AI skills to shape the future. 

Her commitment to digital inclusion expands into skilling. Through AI School 360, she ensured 50% female participation in Greece’s largest AI skills program. She forged partnerships with the Athens Chamber of Commerce to upskill women over 45 and collaborated with I4U to empower 4,000 women with digital skills, opening doors to new career opportunities. 

“Together, we can ignite change and shape a future where women not only thrive but lead in technology. Be bold, be innovative, and let your voice be heard to unlock opportunities for all in the era of AI.” — Yanna Andronopoulou 

A global advocate, Yanna’s voice resonates on international stages, including the Women Political Leaders (WPL) Summit 2024, where she championed gender equality in tech. She mentors the next generation of female leaders, ensuring the pipeline of talent remains strong. Her relentless efforts have earned Microsoft Greece the Inclusivity Award and garnered her recognition from WhoisWho International. 
 
About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Erin Chapple

Great leaders don’t just innovate—they inspire, empower, and build communities that drive lasting change. From intern to Corporate Vice President, Erin Chapple’s 26-year journey at Microsoft is a testament to the power of innovation, leadership, and relentless commitment to community. She has played a pivotal role in shaping some of Microsoft’s most transformative moments—from Windows Server to Azure’s meteoric rise—and now, as the leader of Commercial Solution Areas (CSA), she bridges the gap between technology and customer success. 

Erin is known as the queen of making the impossible possible, simplifying complexity, and fostering collaboration. Whether scaling Microsoft’s cloud business or leading cutting-edge AI initiatives, her focus has always been on creating impact at scale. Throughout her career, she has witnessed firsthand the evolution of technology—from the launch of Windows 95 to the AI revolution—and has been at the forefront of driving these changes. 

Beyond technology, Erin is a tireless advocate for mentorship, allyship, and community building. She sponsors the Executive Women in Product Engineering community and co-chairs the Corporate Vice President Women’s Community at Microsoft, creating spaces where women can connect, grow, and thrive. She believes mentorship is a two-way street—both mentor and mentee learn, evolve, and build lasting relationships that shape careers. 

“Women mentors play a crucial role in breaking the glass ceiling, offering guidance, support, and inspiration to those who follow. Seeing those connections navigate their careers, grow, and thrive is a long-term benefit that is difficult to put into words.” — Erin Chapple 

Through her leadership, Erin is not only driving technological advancements but also shaping a culture of belonging. She is committed to building world-class organizations, fostering excellence in management, and ensuring the next generation of leaders—especially women—have the support and opportunities they need to succeed. 
 
About #empowHER50 campaign:

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50: Nicole Dezen

When women gain access to the right skills, they don’t just change their own futures—they ignite progress that reshapes industries, strengthens economies, and uplifts entire communities.  

True empowerment begins with opportunity, and Nicole Dezen is ensuring that no woman is left behind in the digital revolution. Nicole Dezen has dedicated her career to building opportunities for women in tech, forging partnerships that create lasting impact, and ensuring access to the skills needed to thrive in an evolving digital world. 

“Every day I strive to empower people and drive growth for Microsoft and our partners.” — Nicole Dezen 

As Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft, Nicole leads the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, supporting an ecosystem of 500,000 partners worldwide. By delivering essential benefits, skilling opportunities, and go-to-market resources, she helps partners build thriving businesses that drive innovation and economic growth in every industry. 

Nicole’s leadership is built on a bold vision: investing in people fuels global innovation, strengthens economies, and ensures a more equitable tech industry for future generations. She is not just opening doors—she is tearing down barriers, proving that when women are given the tools to succeed, they don’t just participate in technology, they define its future. By forging strong collaborations and partnerships, she continues to champion a future where access to technology and career advancement is not limited by gender or geography. 

About #empowHER50 campaign:

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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#empowHER50 – Gavriella Schuster

True inclusion isn’t just about opening doors—it’s about ensuring no one walks alone.  

Gavriella Schuster has spent her career championing women, allies and underrepresented groups, creating global networks that foster connection, mentorship, and opportunity in technology. 

As Board Director and former Microsoft CVP, Gavriella has been a force in building communities that empower women. She sponsored the formation of The WIT Network, which now boasts 11K members in 76 countries, providing mentorship, leadership training, and technical certifications to women in technology. She also played a pivotal role in launching Women in Cloud, an initiative that has grown into a 120K-strong community spanning 80 countries, reaching 4 million people globally. Through this work, she has helped female entrepreneurs gain access to cloud marketplaces and technical resources, fueling their growth and success. 

Beyond organizations, Gavriella has personally mentored and sponsored more than 100 individuals and established dozens of mentorship rings, ensuring women and underrepresented groups have the guidance and community they need to thrive. Her leadership in the Microsoft partner ecosystem for seven years helped drive economic access and growth through technology, impacting millions worldwide. 

Her work didn’t stop after Microsoft—she developed an allyship training program to drive inclusion, delivered a TEDx talk rallying for 8M women to enter tech, and continues to educate Fortune 500 leaders on fostering workplace equity. 

“If a person who is an ONLY in any group has an ally, they are not alone. #ALLIES step up in the moments that matter through the little acts they practice every day to turn moments of exclusion into moments of inclusion.” — Gavriella Schuster 

Gavriella’s impact is undeniable—she is not just advocating for change, she is architecting a future where inclusion is the standard, not the exception. Her relentless pursuit of equity and empowerment has ignited a movement that will shape generations to come. 

About #empowHER50 campaign

This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50 

To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/  

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