#empowHER50 – Lindsey Craft-Goins

In a world where digital access dictates success, many communities remain underserved. Lindsey Craft-Goins recognized this disparity and, in her leadership role at Microsoft, took the decisive action. Now the Americas Leader for Modern Work & Security Customer Success at Microsoft, she has dedicated her career to leveraging technology for societal advancement. 

While at Microsoft’s US Education organization, Lindsey addressed educational disparities from the digital divide by contributing to the Operation Connectivity Initiative.This ambitious project aimed to equip students with essential digital tools, providing over 2.27 million devices to those in need. 

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Lindsey has made significant contributions to philanthropy. She has provided funding for scholarships through the Gate City Bar Association and 100 Black Men of Atlanta, funded the Mother’s Room at Arthur Blank Children’s Hospital, and provided funding for the music building at St. Benedict’s Episcopal School in Georgia. Her active participation in the Black at Microsoft community and board memberships with The nsoro Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta underscores her commitment to nurturing future leaders. 

“When you dim your sparkle for none, you illuminate paths for all.” — Lindsey Craft-Goins 

Through her multifaceted efforts, Lindsey not only addresses immediate technological needs but also fosters a culture of mentorship, learning, and innovation. Her work ensures that progress is both inclusive and sustainable, embodying the belief that elevating one person can illuminate the path for many. 

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 – Leigh Felton

Innovation is most meaningful when it starts with those who have been left out—and Leigh Felton has dedicated her career to making sure no one is left behind.  

As a Black, neurodiverse, queer woman with a non-visible disability, Leigh has turned lived experience into leadership, building pathways for communities too often excluded from the systems shaping our future. 

At Microsoft, Leigh led the Responsible AI Enablement & Implementation Program, where she co-launched the Responsible AI Champs Program—a global initiative that empowered over 300 employees across 40+ countries to embed ethical and inclusive AI practices into their business group’s mindset, products, and services. Within just one-year, Responsible AI readiness scores rose by 30%, showing measurable progress toward systems that value equity, transparency, and trust. 

“True innovation begins when the people most excluded from the system are empowered to design it.”  

Beyond Microsoft, Leigh has consistently translated systems change into real-world impact. As Director of Economic Development for the State of Washington, she restored $30 million in funding to support small businesses, directing vital resources to Black- and woman-owned startups. Today, as Board Chair of AI for Job Security, Leigh helps historically excluded communities unlock the potential of AI through education, training, and policy advocacy—ensuring AI is not a threat, but a tool for empowerment. 

Through public speaking, policy leadership, and community engagement, Leigh’s work shows that centering on lived experience isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s how we create systems that truly serve everyone. Her story is proof that when those most excluded are empowered to lead, innovation becomes transformational. 

 
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 – Sandy Kallio

Authentic leadership is measured not just by personal success, but by the impact one has on others.  

Sandy Kallio has dedicated her career to fostering equity, building opportunities, and empowering communities—both inside and outside of Microsoft. 

  • “Investing in others is the cornerstone of building strong communities. It empowers individuals to reach their full potential and democratizes opportunities, ensuring that everyone has a chance to succeed and contribute to a brighter future.” — Sandy Kallio 

Sandy’s passion for giving back and inspiring others is evident in her long-standing work with the Scholarship Foundation of Northshore, which awards over 100 scholarships annually, totaling more than $500,000. She has played a pivotal role in growing investments in scholarships, including co-funding the Dream Big scholarship, designed to help graduating seniors from Northshore High Schools achieve their higher education goals. As Past President of the Woodinville Rotary Club, Sandy led initiatives that raised and invested more than $80,000 to support women’s and children’s health, education, food security, domestic violence prevention, and homelessness—proving that investing early in individuals creates lasting, generational impact. 

At Microsoft, Sandy brings this same passion to her work as a partner advocate, supporting 165,000 partners in engaging go-to-market strategies, scaling customer reach, and translating channel insights into action. Her commitment to empowerment extends to mentoring professionals, both internally and externally, helping them build successful careers and personal growth. In recognition of her work in enabling partners, Sandy was honored with the Microsoft Platinum Pinnacle Award—a testament to her dedication and impact. 

Sandy’s success is rooted in three key strategies: Defining Impact, by setting clear goals to maximize effectiveness; Investing in Education and Skilling, ensuring people have the tools to seize opportunities; and Creating Advocates, fostering a cycle where those empowered become mentors themselves, amplifying the ripple effect of change. 

Sandy’s leadership is a reminder that when we invest in others, we strengthen entire communities. By championing access to education, fostering career growth, and driving real change, she is ensuring that opportunity is not just a privilege—but a shared responsibility. 

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 – Nickie Smith

Change begins with a single bold step.  

For Nickie Smith, that step started in a basement in Seattle, where she co-founded Be Bold for Change, a grassroots initiative that has grown into a global movement empowering women and girls to lead change. 

“As we look ahead, I remain deeply committed to expanding access to technology, leadership, and economic opportunities for all women and girls. The work is far from over—but through continued innovation, collaboration, and bold action, we can accelerate progress together.” — Nickie Smith 

While working at Microsoft, Nickie co-founded Be Bold Now, an intergenerational community event designed to amplify the voices of everyday women changemakers. Over the past decade, this platform has expanded from Seattle to London and Paris, with plans to reach Sydney and Singapore. Through 90+ speaker stories and a global network of 4,000+ changemakers, the movement has ignited conversations, influenced policies, and empowered women to take action. 

After leaving Microsoft in 2022, Nickie launched Be Bold Girls, a leadership program designed by girls, for girls. In just two years, the initiative has empowered 600+ young leaders across 95+ schools in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia, equipping them with mentorship, skills development, and advocacy training. These young changemakers aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it now, with 10 teams recognized for their innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. 

Be Bold for Change is powered entirely by volunteers—many of whom are current or former Microsoft employees. Their expertise in technology, mentorship, and fundraising has helped scale impact, from building dashboards to facilitating tech-for-good workshops. Nickie’s leadership has proven that when women believe in themselves and activate change from where they are today, we don’t have to wait 131+ years for gender parity—we can make it happen now. 

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 – Doher Drizzle Pablo

Technology should be a bridge, not a barrier.  
 
For Doher Drizzle Pablo, technology isn’t just about innovation—it’s about inclusion. 

Growing up in the Philippines, she saw firsthand how limited access to education and career opportunities kept talented individuals from reaching their full potential. Determined to change that, Drizzle built a career that would open doors for others—proving that a Filipina with passion and purpose could lead, innovate, and drive global impact. 
 

As a Microsoft Solution Architect, MVP, and Global Community Leader, Drizzle has dedicated her life to making technology education accessible to all. She founded Techbayanihan, a grassroots movement empowering Filipinos with AI, Business Applications, and Data skills. What started as a small initiative has grown into a thriving community of 4,700+ learners, with over 3,500 trained in Microsoft technologies—many of whom have landed jobs in leading tech firms. 
 

Her impact didn’t stop there. In 2022, she launched BizApps Pinoy Citizen (BPC) to break barriers for Filipinos pursuing careers in Business Applications. Through structured learning, mentorship, and certification pathways, BPC has helped 500+ learners transition from training to employment in Microsoft Partner organizations. 
 

“I am proof that a Filipina with a heart can lead, innovate, and inspire change in the global tech space,” says Drizzle. 
 

Beyond her own initiatives, she is a driving force in Microsoft’s Code Without Barriers, Learn Room, and Partner Startups programs, ensuring that women, students, and underrepresented professionals gain the skills and confidence to thrive in tech. She has also mentored aspiring professionals, student leaders, and future Microsoft MVPs, ensuring the next generation is equipped to lead. 
 

Drizzle ‘s journey is proof that when one woman rises, she lifts an entire community with her. Through education, mentorship, and advocacy, she is not just transforming careers—she’s changing lives. 
 

And as she continues her mission, one thing is certain: the future of tech in the Philippines is brighter because of her work. 

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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