#empowHER50 – Elena Kennedy

Inclusion isn’t just about policies—it’s about action. 

Elena Kennedy is turning words into impact, creating opportunities for diverse suppliers, women entrepreneurs, and underrepresented communities in tech. Her advocacy is both professional and deeply personal, shaped by her upbringing in an interracial, queer-inclusive family. 

“We do our best work and live our best lives when we are considerate, collaborative, and inclusive. I strive to not only hold myself to these values but seek to inspire others by example.” — Elena Kennedy 

At Microsoft, Elena is a fierce advocate for diverse suppliers and women entrepreneurs, ensuring they gain visibility and access within the tech ecosystem. As part of the Azure Marketplace team, she actively researched and engaged with diverse suppliers, championing their innovations and connecting them within Microsoft’s ecosystem. Through partnerships with Women in Cloud and Excelia, she has further amplified diverse voices, speaking at Excelia’s Microsoft Co-Launch Event in 2024 to inspire and engage customers. Her contributions to supporting hundreds of founders in building effective GTM strategies have accelerated their growth momentum within the tech channel. 

Elena’s commitment to equity extends into her local community, where she actively supports the Fairground Community Kitchen, a nonprofit providing healthy food to people experiencing food insecurity, which commonly includes queer youth and people of color. She has donated to their fundraisers and participated in food packing and grocery deliveries, ensuring that basic needs are met for those facing systemic barriers. Through Microsoft’s Give Campaign, she created an internal video to encourage coworkers to make donations, leveraging corporate matching to double the impact and reach even more vulnerable individuals. 

Elena’s mission is clear: to uplift marginalized voices, leverage corporate influence for social good, and inspire others to take action. Whether advocating for diverse founders, mentoring rising professionals, or ensuring fair access to resources, she is creating lasting change—one opportunity at a time. 

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 – Sara Nagy

The future of technology depends on accessibility, education, and inclusivity.  

Sara Nagy is leading the charge to ensure that understanding the impact of quantum computing—one of the most transformative technologies of our time—is within reach for all. 

As Senior Director of Customer Engagement, Sara plays a critical role in simplifying and democratizing quantum computing education for diverse audiences. She partners with a team of expert stakeholders to drive Quantum Ready, a Microsoft company-wide initiative designed to prepare business decision-makers and government leaders for the quantum future. This program equips organizations with essential resources, expert insights, and tools to begin their quantum journey and position their organizations to harness the full power of quantum as it scales. Since its launch in January 2025, Quantum Ready has engaged Fortune 500 companies across 91 countries, ensuring that leaders have the understanding and confidence to prepare for the future of quantum computing. 

Beyond the program, Sara’s commitment to community engagement is driving a more inclusive future for quantum computing education. She leads two key advocacy initiatives: the Microsoft Quantum Connected Community, who champion democratization internally, and the Microsoft Valuable Professionals (MVPs), who elevate awareness externally. Together, these global communities—spanning over 1,800 members across 26 countries—are breaking down barriers, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that learning opportunities are accessible to everyone. 

“Every conversation, resource, and connection we provide sparks a step toward a quantum-literate future. My mission is to turn these sparks into a movement—empowering diverse leaders from all backgrounds to embrace quantum computing, foster inclusive innovation, and shape a future where technology benefits everyone.” — Sara Nagy 

Through her leadership, Sara is not only accelerating the global understanding of quantum computing but also shaping a future where technology is a force for inclusion, progress, and opportunity. 

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 – 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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