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/
