For nearly two decades, Debbie Uttecht has been a quiet force of change at Microsoft—bridging the worlds of marketing, education, and inclusion to expand who gets to thrive in tech. Though she humbly describes herself as “not a technical person,” her impact is anything but peripheral.
As a Partner Marketing Lead at Microsoft, Debbie has found her calling in translating product value into powerful, human-centered stories. But it’s her unwavering belief in democratizing access to Cloud and AI skills that sets her apart. “Curiosity and courage are the first steps,” she says. “We rise by lifting others—and by giving them the skills to soar.”
In response to the persistent gender gap in tech, Debbie co-created a groundbreaking scholarship program in partnership with Women In Cloud and Coursera. The results speak volumes: over 5,000 women upskilled in cutting-edge technologies, and 18% landed new jobs. “Women make up more than half of college degrees but less than 30% of tech jobs. That gap is a call to action,” she emphasizes.
Debbie also played a pivotal role in one of Microsoft’s boldest educational initiatives: AI Skills Fest, which included achieving a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most users to take an online muli-level artificial intelligence lesson in 24 hours. With her leadership in partner storytelling, the campaign galvanized 126,151 participants to complete an AI learning path within 24 hours, cementing the power of collective momentum and accessible learning.
Her advocacy doesn’t stop at the office. Outside Microsoft, Debbie mentors aspiring professionals, raises three sons—two of whom are now college-bound—and serves as an active supporter of the Women In Cloud movement helping over 5600+ Microsoft Certification Scholarships made accessible for Cloud and and AI Skilling. She is a living example of what it means to lead with heart, impact with scale, and stay grounded in purpose.
Through storytelling and skilling, Debbie Uttecht is expanding access to tech for the next generation of women, proving that you don’t need to code to make a difference. You just need to care, speak up, and build bridges that others can walk across.
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/
