Podcasts about microsoft philanthropies

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, your Virtuous co-hosts, Carly Berna and Stephen Boudreau, are joined by Microsoft's Chief Product Officer and Tech for Social Impact Leadership Team member, Erin McHugh Saif. Erin begins by sharing her background, which includes experience working for big tech companies such as Blackbaud, Salesforce, and TIBCO. Next, Erin explains the nonprofit side of Microsoft and how philanthropy has helped to shape Microsoft over the years when it comes to connecting with its users, as well as the community at large. Also along the way, Erin shares: - How AI and technology have helped shape the nonprofit world, and what they have the power to achieve moving forward - The distinction between how nonprofits and for-profits use Microsoft as a service - For-profit trends that can be applied to nonprofits - Microsoft services that are currently being delivered to for-profits that present the biggest opportunities for nonprofits Discover more opportunities at Microsoft.com such as discounted offers for nonprofits, Microsoft Philanthropies, the AI governance tool kit, as well as Free AI skilling resources. Season One of The Responsive Lab is brought to you by Virtuous. Virtuous is a software company committed to helping nonprofits grow generosity. Virtuous believes that generosity has the power to create profound change in the world and in the heart of the giver. With that in mind, it's their mission to move the needle on global generosity by helping nonprofits better connect with and inspire their givers. Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist. Special thanks to editor and sound engineer Barry R. Hill and producer Abigail Morse.

Devi Thomas, named as one of the 2023 Social Impact Pioneers and Top Women in Communications, leads the Nonprofit Community at Microsoft Philanthropies. She engages wit h nonprofits to address community challenges through AI and technology, empowering them to create impactful solutions and drive social change. On the other hand, Erin McHugh Saif is the Chief Product Officer at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, with prior experience at Salesforce and TIBCO. She focuses on making technology accessible for nonprofit organizations, emphasizing innovation and affordability. Starting the conversation, Devi shares her enthusiasm for training individuals in AI and technology, highlighting the economic opportunities AI brings and the necessity of integrating people into the digital realm. She reflects on her journey, expressing gratitude for working with AI and her commitment to the nonprofit sector. Erin also details her work connecting Microsoft's resources with global nonprofit organizations. She emphasizes the importance of affordability and accessibility in technology for nonprofits, discussing her transition from the tech industry to the Tech for Social Impact team. She underscores the necessity of human involvement in change management and the role of well-designed software in supporting nonprofit missions. The conversation also delves into the guests' paths to the nonprofit sector, revealing their diverse backgrounds and the transferable skills that can bridge corporate and nonprofit work. They highlight the scrappiness of the nonprofit sector and its innovation potential. Addressing AI adoption in nonprofits, Devi and Erin discuss the challenges organizations face, including skepticism, lack of understanding, and distrust, particularly in the US and Western Europe. They emphasize the need for training and exposure to foster trust in AI technologies. When asked for advice for nonprofit leaders hesitant about AI, Erin suggests starting small and fostering a culture of experimentation, while Devi stresses the importance of ethical governance in AI use and adopting a learning mindset. Finally, they discuss Microsoft's global support for nonprofits, including partnerships aimed at upskilling individuals in AI, particularly in developing countries, showcasing the impact of these initiatives through personal stories. Both speakers reaffirm Microsoft's commitment to making technology accessible and beneficial for nonprofits worldwide. HIGHLIGHTS [03:52] Devi's Role at Microsoft [05:57] Erin's Role and Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact [08:25] Devi's Path to the Nonprofit Sector [11:18] Erin's Journey to the Nonprofit Sector [15:07] AI and Nonprofit Adoption [28:03] Advice for Nonprofit Leaders [34:36] Lessons from the Corporate World [38:21] Global Support for Nonprofits  TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY  Explore tools and platforms designed specifically for nonprofits. Work with vendors who prioritize making technology accessible for nonprofits. Utilize skills from the corporate sector to enhance nonprofit agility and decision-making. Ensure clean and accurate data to maximize AI potential and operational efficiencies. Invest in training to overcome skepticism and build trust in AI tools among staff. Experiment with AI solutions in manageable increments to foster a culture of innovation. Develop frameworks to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI. Foster an environment where continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies are valued. Regularly assess and discontinue programs that are not yielding results. Collaborate with organizations and programs focusing on AI upskilling, especially in developing regions. Resources:  Connect with Erin and Devi: Erin McHugh Saif: linkedin.com/in/erinmchughsaif/ Devi Thomas: linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/ Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/  LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans  Website: fundraising.ai/ 

In this episode of Humanitarian AI Today, Sarah Spencer, a consultant for the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub, interviews Kate Behncken, Corporate VP and Global Head of Microsoft Philanthropies. Kate discusses how Microsoft Philanthropies is harnessing AI to drive digital inclusion and empower nonprofits and communities worldwide. She shares details on her team's work with organizations like UNICEF, IOM, and the British Heart Foundation, highlighting how AI is being leveraged to address pressing global challenges. The conversation also explores the ethical challenges of AI, focusing on responsible AI development, balancing humanitarian principles with AI ethics, privacy, and security concerns, and emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in AI development to avoid marginalizing vulnerable communities. Tune in to learn how AI is shaping the future of humanitarian work and how Microsoft is driving social impact across the globe.

Demystifying AI: A Charity Leader's Guide to Digital Innovation We chat to Devi Thomas, Global Leader of Nonprofit Community Capacity at Microsoft Philanthropies, and Dan Kershaw, CEO of nonprofit Furniture Bank   In this eye opening episode of Starts at the Top, we dive into the world of AI and its transformative potential for the charity sector. Join us as we chat with two visionaries at the forefront of charity digital innovation: Devi Thomas, Global Leader of Charity Community Capacity at Microsoft Philanthropies, and Dan Kershaw, CEO of nonprofit Furniture Bank in Canada. Devi shares invaluable insights on how AI is reshaping the charitable landscape, from streamlining operations to attracting new talent. She emphasises the sector's unique position to become "architects of AI solutions" for social good, challenging charities to lead the charge in ethical AI adoption. Dan Kershaw's story is nothing short of inspiring. He takes us through Furniture Bank's journey from AI novice to innovator, demonstrating how even small charities can harness AI's power with creativity and a dash of courage. From AI-generated imagery tackling 'furniture poverty' to multilingual volunteer support, Dan's practical examples prove that the potential of AI is within reach for all. Zoe and Paul discuss how leadership might change under the new Labour government.   Notes: Find out more about Furniture Bank https://www.furniturebank.org/about-furniture-bank/ and their AI generated campaign https://www.furniturebank.org/postcard/ Leadership news: Article about new Labour MP intake https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c727ny2jd84o And please leave us a review if you enjoy what you hear! Editing and production - Syren Studios with Paul Thomas Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music Full transcript of this episode (srt file) Full transcript of this episode (.txt file) Transcripts are also available through your podcast app.

From its potential in donor engagement and fundraising to enhancing program effectiveness, AI has shown that it can amplify the impact of nonprofits. How can we peel back the layers of AI's transformative potential in the nonprofit sector to go beyond the hype to see what's really working and how it can help us in the trenches? In this conversation, Julia Campbell interviews Justin L. Spelhaug, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Tech for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies, and Nathaniel Cook, Chief Information Technology Officer of Special Olympics International. They discuss the transformative potential of AI in the nonprofit sector, focusing on inclusivity and productivity.  TakeawaysInvolving the community in the development and implementation of AI tools is crucial for ensuring inclusivity and effectiveness.Ethical considerations, such as fairness and bias, are important when deploying AI in the nonprofit sector.AI tools can significantly improve productivity and efficiency, allowing nonprofit staff to focus on impactful work.Measuring the success and outcomes of using AI tools can be done through surveys, time savings estimation, and tracking productivity gains.Nonprofits can start incorporating AI by using free resources like Microsoft Co-Pilot and taking advantage of training programs and learning pathways.About Nathan Cook, CIO of the Special Olympics InternationalNathaniel Cook is the Chief Information and Technology Officer of Special Olympics, a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. He leads the strategic vision, direction, and execution of the organization's information and technology initiatives across more than 220 countries and territories. He develops, integrates, and optimizes the Special Olympics information systems and technology platforms, ensuring their alignment with the organization's goals, values, and standards. He also fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Special Olympics network, leveraging technology to enhance the quality and impact of the programs and services offered to more than six million athletes and their families. About Justin Spelhaug, Vice President & Global Head – Tech for Social ImpactAs the leader for the Tech for Social Impact in Microsoft, Justin brings together 25 years of experience spanning commercial and social businesses.  Prior to his current role, Justin served as the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer for Microsoft Asia Pacific spending over 7 years of his career working across developed and emerging Asian markets.  Justin also helped to launch the Unlimited Potential organization within Microsoft, with a focus on developing new and more affordable computing solutions to close the digital divide for lower income societies globally.Resources:www.SpecialOlympics.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/career-essentials-in-generative-ai-by-microsoft-and-linkedinMicrosoft for Nonprofits LinkedInTake my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Feeling overwhelmed by the tsunami wave of AI chatter? Wondering how your nonprofit can ride the AI wave without wiping out? You're not alone.  The rapid evolution of AI technology has everyone's heads spinning, trying to figure out how to adopt it responsibly and effectively to amplify their impact. In today's episode, I sit down with the phenomenal Devi Thomas, a beacon of knowledge from Microsoft Philanthropies, who's illuminating the path for nonprofits in the digital age. Her insights reveal that the integration of AI isn't just a trend; it's a toolset for improving efficiency, personalizing donor engagement, and scaling impact with a tactical edge. Devi, preaches that adopting AI starts with embracing our curiosity and permitting ourselves to experiment.AI's potential to revolutionize nonprofit operations is immense - if wielded with intention, transparency, and inclusivity. Ready to demystify AI and propel your organization into a future where tech and purpose align more closely than ever? Tune in to the full episode and learn how AI can be your co-pilot in achieving more with less, without losing the human touch that defines our missions. Important Links:  https://nonprofitcommunity.microsoft.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nonprofitlowdown/support

Building social impact movements is hard. Bringing people together, across society and sectors to engage with and take action on an issue is a golden ticket to creating long term lasting impact. How do you do it? Meet Social Impact Pioneer Devi Thomas. During our conversation Devi shares her wisdom and experience in successfully developing and delivering social movements and campaigns. Rarely does someone so generously gift their secret sauce as Devi does during this conversation. She takes us step by step through creating a movement. This podcast a masterclass in movement building, and also a deep dive into Devi's work building, accelerating and advocating for the non-profit sector. Devi says: “Not-for-profits are a misnomer - I consider myself to be an active part of the problem-solving sector.” Named one of 2022's Top Women in Communications, Devi Thomas is a social impact visionary. With 20+ years of experience overseeing communications and global campaigns, she is a particular expert in communicating around social and environmental impact –creating movements - encouraging people to really take action. Buckle up, we will be hearing from a real master in social impact communications. Devi is the Global Head of Industry Solutions at Microsoft Philanthropies, Tech for Social Impact. Championing innovative non-profits and connecting technological support and solutions for them. She has previously worked with Salesforce and the UN, beginning her career as a journalist. Links: Bryan Stevenson, Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org/bryan-stevenson/ UN Foundation, Shot at Life: campaign https://shotatlife.org Devi Thomas, Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/ If you liked this podcast, try: How to communicate social impact with Eric Ressler: https://businessfightspoverty.org/eric-ressler-social-impact-communications/ and A Sustainable Business Guide with David Grayson, Chris Coulter and Mark Lee: https://businessfightspoverty.org/david-grayson-chris-coulter-and-mark-lee-the-sustainable-business-handbook/

BlueLeaks hack exposes US police data, Endpoint Detection and Response security, and Microsoft Philanthropies' Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI). Hackers just leaked sensitive files from over 200 police departments that are searchable by badge number A new census finds hundreds of open source components that could undermine security  New industry spec would have CPUs built using components from multiple vendors Apple teams up with Google, Mozilla, Microsoft to improve browser interoperability Enterprises look beyond VPNs and antivirus software for remote workers with a growing emphasis on endpoint detection and response (EDR) Microsoft Philanthropies' Erik Arnold talks about what Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) does for NGOs and non-profit organizations Hosts: Louis Maresca and Curt Franklin Co-Host: Oliver Rist Guest: Erik Arnold Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-enterprise-tech. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: newrelic.com/enterprise nureva.com plextrac.com/twit

BlueLeaks hack exposes US police data, Endpoint Detection and Response security, and Microsoft Philanthropies' Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI). Hackers just leaked sensitive files from over 200 police departments that are searchable by badge number A new census finds hundreds of open source components that could undermine security  New industry spec would have CPUs built using components from multiple vendors Apple teams up with Google, Mozilla, Microsoft to improve browser interoperability Enterprises look beyond VPNs and antivirus software for remote workers with a growing emphasis on endpoint detection and response (EDR) Microsoft Philanthropies' Erik Arnold talks about what Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) does for NGOs and non-profit organizations Hosts: Louis Maresca and Curt Franklin Co-Host: Oliver Rist Guest: Erik Arnold Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-enterprise-tech. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: newrelic.com/enterprise nureva.com plextrac.com/twit

BlueLeaks hack exposes US police data, Endpoint Detection and Response security, and Microsoft Philanthropies' Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI). Hackers just leaked sensitive files from over 200 police departments that are searchable by badge number A new census finds hundreds of open source components that could undermine security  New industry spec would have CPUs built using components from multiple vendors Apple teams up with Google, Mozilla, Microsoft to improve browser interoperability Enterprises look beyond VPNs and antivirus software for remote workers with a growing emphasis on endpoint detection and response (EDR) Microsoft Philanthropies' Erik Arnold talks about what Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) does for NGOs and non-profit organizations Hosts: Louis Maresca and Curt Franklin Co-Host: Oliver Rist Guest: Erik Arnold Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-enterprise-tech. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: newrelic.com/enterprise nureva.com plextrac.com/twit

BlueLeaks hack exposes US police data, Endpoint Detection and Response security, and Microsoft Philanthropies' Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI). Hackers just leaked sensitive files from over 200 police departments that are searchable by badge number A new census finds hundreds of open source components that could undermine security  New industry spec would have CPUs built using components from multiple vendors Apple teams up with Google, Mozilla, Microsoft to improve browser interoperability Enterprises look beyond VPNs and antivirus software for remote workers with a growing emphasis on endpoint detection and response (EDR) Microsoft Philanthropies' Erik Arnold talks about what Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) does for NGOs and non-profit organizations Hosts: Louis Maresca and Curt Franklin Co-Host: Oliver Rist Guest: Erik Arnold Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-enterprise-tech. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: newrelic.com/enterprise nureva.com plextrac.com/twit

This episode is made in partnership with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. In this season of Beyond the Meter, we're taking a closer look at the meaningful impact renewable energy projects have on the world around us. In this episode, host John Failla is joined by Darrell Booker, Corporate Affairs Specialist leading the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration Program for Black and African American Communities (NTA) at Microsoft Philanthropies, Cheryl Comer, Senior Strategic Account Manager - Duke Energy, and Tracy Woods, VP, Operations - American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), to talk about their collaborative efforts on the recently created Diversity In Clean Energy (DiCE) initiative. DiCE, a program to advance equity in clean energy, is an initiative sponsored by Duke Energy's Strategic Account Management Program. Listen in to learn more about the progress being made to promote diversity in the energy industry. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... AABE's current activities and work [07:37] Microsoft's Nonprofit Tech Acceleration Program [16:26] Duke Energy's Diversity in Clean Energy (DiCE) Program and NTA for Black and African American Communities at Microsoft Philanthropies [20:39] The benefit of effective collaboration [25:26] The roles of the organizations in DiCE [36:46] The potential of the new DiCE | AABE platform [44:17] Making America stronger through diversity [51:54] The American Association of Blacks in Energy For nearly 45 years, the American Association of Blacks in Energy (ABBE) has focused on energy policy and the impact of those policies on communities of color. They work on policies and professional development to ensure that their members can be cultural ambassadors in the communities where they live and work. AABE receives many calls from employers seeking diverse talent. To serve this need, they provide scholarships and programs for high school and middle school students interested in careers in the energy field, job postings through their newly revamped Career Center, and numerous programs like Black Energy Awareness Month. The Diversity in Clean Energy (DiCE) Initiative  DiCE is a program sponsored by Duke Energy to drive visibility and open doors of opportunity for diverse suppliers in the clean energy field. At Duke Energy, DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is a business imperative inspiring how they work with employees, customers and their communities. They're taking intentional action for the good of both the community and business. The idea for DiCE was sparked by a request from T-Mobile via their Energy and Sustainability Program Manager, Amy Bond, who asked Cheryl what Duke Energy was doing to identify, train, track and utilize diverse suppliers. This question inspired Cheryl to open the conversation to her other strategic accounts, as she knew they would all benefit from this conversation around diversity, equity, inclusion, and how that relates to clean energy. Through these discussions, she realized that there was ample opportunity, interest and need for the resources supported by the DiCE initiative. Collaboration in the energy industry The energy industry is in the midst of a massive transformation. As one of the largest utilities in the United States, Duke Energy has an obligation to provide reliable, affordable, and increasingly cleaner energy to customers and communities. One of the most efficient ways to initiate change is by cross-industry leaders coming together, pooling resources, and solving complex problems.  While many corporations realize that they want to work with diverse suppliers, they don't know where to start. The ultimate goal of the DiCE | AABE platform is to facilitate the inclusion of diverse suppliers into mainstream corporate supply chains and to eliminate systemic barriers. Everyone in this collaboration has something different to bring to the table: Duke Energy has the means, AABE has the connections, and Microsoft has the technology. As the DiCE | AABE platform continues to grow, there are endless opportunities to fulfill its mission and we look forward to seeing the positive effect it will have in the clean energy space.  Resources & People Mentioned American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) AABE Career Center Nonprofit Tech Acceleration for Black and African American Communities Program Amy Bond - Energy & Sustainability Program Manager - T-Mobile Melody B. - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Professional Profile Connect With Our Guests Darrell Booker - Corporate Affairs Specialist leading the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration Program for Black and African American Communities (NTA) at Microsoft Philanthropies Meet Darrell, your “techie's favorite techie” who leads one of Microsoft's most important racial equity commitments, the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration of Black and African American Communities, a national program designed at leveling the tech playing field for nonprofits serving our most underserved communities. Prior to leading this program, Darrell served in an advisor role helping the world's largest nonprofits such as The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, American Cancer Society, and the Salvation Army on their digital transformation to the cloud. Darrell has served in CIO and CTO roles in the past leading teams of developers in nonprofit, primarily child welfare, as well as other industries such as automotive and banking. Darrell also has an entrepreneurial spirit, co-founding a tech startup for the fitness industry used in hundreds of gyms across the U.S. and Canada. Follow Darrell Booker on LinkedIn Cheryl Comer - Strategic Account Manager in the Sales and Relationship Management Organization at Duke Energy Cheryl Comer is a Senior Strategic Account Manager in the Sales and Relationship Management organization at Duke Energy. She is responsible for developing and sustaining long-term strategic customer relationships for mutual growth, profitability, trust, loyalty, and risk management. Her assigned strategic accounts are FedEx, Kroger, Microsoft, and T-Mobile. Cheryl brings a wealth of experience from the education and legal industries.  In addition to teaching middle school and high school students music theory, solfeggio, string, symphony orchestra, and music history, she served as a high school principal of an alternative school in Phoenix, Arizona. She managed a school of 350 students and 30 staff members. During her tenure as principal, she learned to effectively balance considerations from competing stakeholders such as state mandates, instructional and support staff, parents, students, and community. Under her leadership, graduation rates and test scores increased.  Cheryl is also a licensed attorney in North Carolina and Louisiana and practiced law at a mid-size, litigation boutique in downtown New Orleans before joining Duke Energy in 2018. She continues to practice law in the capacity of a pro bono attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina and often lends a hand to family and friends when in need of sound legal advice. She is a community activist in Gaston County and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion champion. Cheryl's first love, however, is the cello. She began playing in an exploratory program in the 4th grade and never stopped! She plays the violin, viola, cello, and bass but is proficient on cello. Cheryl is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan (where she won principal cellist of the most advanced orchestra). She earned a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit School of Law. She has been a licensed attorney since 2009.  Cheryl's passions include international travel, spending time on the beach with her family, and enjoying the zest of life. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has three children, and resides in Charlotte, N.C. Follow Cheryl Comer on LinkedIn Tracey Woods - VP of Operations at American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) Tracey Woods is an energy industry veteran with over 3 decades of experience. He currently runs operations for the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), a policy non-profit serving 2,000 members through 36 chapters across the US. Before coming on staff at AABE, he ran the Construction Services division at Con Edison in NYC. His teams were instrumental in restoring the steam loop after Superstorm Sandy devastated the city. The Empire State Building, The Museum of Modern Art, and the United Nations all use steam for winter heating and summer cooling. He led the effort to ensure these and other businesses had heat for the winter of 2012 after the unprecedented devastation from the most powerful storm to ever hit NYC. His leadership skills had been developed commanding substation operations at Jersey Central Power & Light, and through multiple operations management roles at Exelon utilities in Chicago and Philadelphia. He is a degreed electric engineer who has also worked as a lineman, substation operator, facilities supervisor, and utility trainer. He is a fan of the great outdoors, jazz, and R&B music, and is working off his bucket list of travel destinations. Follow Tracey Woods on LinkedIn Connect with Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions https://sustainablesolutions.duke-energy.com/ Follow DESS on LinkedIn Follow DESS on Youtube Connect With Smart Energy Decisions https://www.smartenergydecisions.com/ Follow them on Facebook Follow them on Twitter Follow them on LinkedIn

A year ago today, the protests against the killing of George Floyd began in Minneapolis. In recognition of the global dialogue of racial justice in the past year, we are offering a lengthy, candid, and at times explicit, discussion of what it means to be Black in the world of corporate IT in 2021. Our guest, Darrell Booker, Program Manager for the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration for Black and African-American Communities (NTA) at Microsoft Philanthropies, whom we previously hosted on Why IT Matters: Where We Can Lean In More returns, representing his journey, frustrations, and hopes for changing how the world of corporate IT receives, supports and grows Black employees. This conversation is profoundly complex and challenging and touches on the structural and personal aspects of racism and its direct impact on living one’s life. As much as we strive to retain our authenticity in the workplace, this is an unpacking of how the very institutional structures that we seek to undo become how our authenticity and identity become eroded in the attempt. Before we arrive with the desire to understand and solve problems, especially as white people, the first step is divesting our intent from the outcomes we want to see. Why IT Matters is hosted by Tracy Kronzak and Tim Lockie of Now IT Matters! WARNING: Video contains explicit authentic language. Click here to watch this episode!

Since pioneering personal computing, Microsoft has continued to push the boundaries of innovation through its growing suite of products and services. With more than 75 million customers, 160,000 employees, and presence in 190 countries, Microsoft is truly a technology behemoth. So, it's no surprise that the company has a long list of global social impact commitments, ranging from digital inclusion initiatives and rural broadband access to robust employee engagement programs.To talk about all things “good” at Microsoft, we spoke with Kate Behncken, Vice President and Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies. Listen for Kate's insights on:How Microsoft focuses its far-reaching social impact efforts, ensuring every program ladders up to corporate purpose and values, while having localized, meaningful impact. Why Microsoft places employees at the center of many of its social impact programs, and how their ideas are instrumental to the pursuit of the company's purpose.How Microsoft brings digital “skilling” initiatives to life around the world, for beneficiaries ranging from urban children to adults in rural areas. The role of innovation in purpose, including examples such as Xbox's adaptive controller for disabled gamers. Links & NotesAbout Microsoft2020 CSR ReportMicrosoft PhilanthropiesKate Behncken on LinkedIn

Since pioneering personal computing, Microsoft has continued to push the boundaries of innovation through its growing suite of products and services. With more than 75 million customers, 160,000 employees, and presence in 190 countries, Microsoft is truly a technology behemoth. So, it’s no surprise that the company has a long list of global social impact commitments, ranging from digital inclusion initiatives and rural broadband access to robust employee engagement programs. To talk about all things “good” at Microsoft, we spoke with Kate Behncken, Vice President and Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies. Listen for Kate’s insights on: How Microsoft focuses its far-reaching social impact efforts, ensuring every program ladders up to corporate purpose and values, while having localized, meaningful impact. Why Microsoft places employees at the center of many of its social impact programs, and how their ideas are instrumental to the pursuit of the company’s purpose. How Microsoft brings digital “skilling” initiatives to life around the world, for beneficiaries ranging from urban children to adults in rural areas. The role of innovation in purpose, including examples such as Xbox’s adaptive controller for disabled gamers. Links & Notes About Microsoft 2020 CSR Report Microsoft Philanthropies Kate Behncken on LinkedIn

The conversation starts with Dr. Sarah sharing how she got involved in technology and the importance that quality instructors had in her education. She then shares how she decided to shift her focus from medicine to technology. Dr. Sarah goes on to tell her immigrant family story and how she deals with imposter syndrome. The conversation then wraps up with a discussion on how the panel is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Links TEALS Program - Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that builds sustainable CS programs in high schools. Bio Dr. Sarah Guthals is a Principal ...

“In a crisis time, you need the most creative ideas and the most differing experiences and perspectives, which is obviously what diversity provides…So, particularly companies need to be ever-vigilant in that they don’t skimp in their focus around diversity,” Laura Liswood, Secretary General of the Counsel of Women World Leaders warned in a World Economic Forum’s Davos 2021 As our economies seek ways to emerge stronger from this covid pandemic and the economic crisis it caused, it is shocking that so few women (and under-represented groups) are at the leadership tables planning this recovery. Listen to this fascinating interview with Laura Liswood on the benefits women bring simply because they have NOT been in control. Liswood is Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders and has studied, interviewed and worked with dozens of female heads of state and ministers, Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits, including having led diversity programs. Laura spoke at the World Economic Forum 2021 about these issues, and this interview was recorded prior to the pandemic. You'll hear: What exactly “dominant” and “non-dominant” styles are and why they drive an organization. How women’s networks are different than men’s – and the pros and cons. How women collaborate and why it depends on their “dominance” in the organization. How leveraging women’s creative instincts helps drive innovation. How women’s way of preparing makes raises the group performance. Critical career advice… and much more! “What is your true north that is going to make you feel really energized? Be open to what the possibilities can be for you. As Mary Catherine Bateson has said, women’s life experiences are more likely to  look like a quilt, with blocks of experience.” Laura Liswood on Green Connections Radio Read my Forbes blogs about why having so few women leaders planning the recovery matters, with other insights from Laura during the WEF, and about the multi-generational workforce and with career insights here. You'll want to check out these interviews too: Mary Lee Gannon, CEO of a multimillion dollar healthcare foundation and executive coach, on maximizing a multigenerational workforce. Mary Snapp, long-time C-level executive at Microsoft, CEO of Microsoft Philanthropies on driving social innovation in a large organization. Rainia Washington, VP, Global head of Diversity and Inclusion at Lockheed on innovating with purpose. Barbara Whye, VP, head of Global Diversity and Inclusion at Intel, on recruiting and retaining innovative talent. Go for the Outliers, Joan’s Forbes blog on hiring people who don’t “fit in.” Thanks for subscribing on ApplePodcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Also, join our Facebook Page  and share your insights! Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the top podcasts and special offers! Reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson  

Our guest, Darrell Booker, Program Manager for the Nonprofit Tech Acceleration for Black and African-American Communities (NTA) at Microsoft Philanthropies, joins us for a discussion with far-reaching consequences. How do technology companies provide genuine support for racial equity and justice causes? What are the challenges we face as an industry — and country– related to these endeavors? This Why IT Matters is part visionary, part personal, part reality check, and all heart. Darrell walks us through his experience in technology leadership and the formation of the NTA in mid-2020 responding to the national George Floyd protests and call for equity in America. A challenge to technology companies and corporate leadership is where we wrap up. Why IT Matters is hosted by Tracy Kronzak and Tim Lockie of Now IT Matters! Click here to watch this episode!

“All great ideas stem from a really good problem. There’s problems all around us….The really good problems are the ones you’re hearing about consistently….and hearing those problems and starting to think about, ‘how can I solve this in a way that nobody else has thought of before?’ or, we can take it a step further. That’s where the great ideas come from.” Lisa DeLuca on Green Connections Radio podcast We hear about people coming up with great new businesses or products or technologies all the time, but we don’t often find out how they did so.  Today you will. Listen to IBM’s most prolific female inventor, Lisa DeLuca, with about 500 patents already and 250 more pending.  Lisa talks about where she gets her ideas, what happens to them, hos she decides which ones to file patents on and more in this truly engaging and entertaining interview with Joan Michelson on Green Connections Radio podcast. You'll hear: How to generate great new ideas for today’s problems. How to work with a team to innovate for new solutions to current challenges Ways to leverage conflict to come up with better solutions. How she manages to be so productive – even while raising four young kids! educator to a CEO. And inspiring career tips for women in STEM. And so much more! "Follow your passions…You can turn your passions into your day job.“ Lisa DeLuca on Green Connections Radio podcast Watch for Joan's upcoming Forbes blog on Lisa. You’ll also like: Brenda Darden Wilkerson, CEO of Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology Barbara Whye, new Chief Diversity Officer of Apple, formerly CDO and VP of HR at Intel. Telle Whitney, former CEO, Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, cofounder of Grace Hopper Conference Mary Snapp, Corporate VP of Microsoft, CEO of Microsoft Philanthropies and Diversity Leader Sophie Vandebroek, COO of IBM Research, former CTO of Xerox and President of their Innovation Unit Subscribe to our podcasts to receive them right away and to our newsletter to be ahead of the curve. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson

The biggest hurdle for women in tech "Is the same underpinnings of many of the other challenges we face in our society: fear and power…Computer science was…created by the women…to do the things these women were doing. And that was thought to be clerical, until all of a sudden the power of it was recognized by the men and that’s when that power shift occurred.” Brenda Darden Wilkerson on Green Connections Radio podcast Women in technology fields – and STEM fields more broadly – face a variety of challenges, but they also have a lot of opportunities today. They are more in demand. There are more training programs, and there are more resources available to them. One of those resources is the famed Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, which is the founder of the prestigious Grace Hopper Conference attended by about 26,000 people every year. Listen to Brenda Darden Wilkerson, CEO of the Anita Borg Institute talk about these challenges and opportunities – and tell some great stories – in this truly engaging and entertaining interview with Joan Michelson on Green Connections Radio podcast. Grab a notepad and pen, or your laptop to take notes, because you'll hear: Specific career insights for all of us, especially for women in tech. Tips for organizations seeking to recruit and retain more women in STEM. How we women can get in our own way – like how she nearly missed out on this job How she went from an educator to a CEO. And more career tips for working in tech at any age and stage. And so much more! "Be willing to be an intrapreneur… Bring your passion for what needs to be fixed, because you’re the one who sees it. Work from where you are….You can work within an organization to do amazing things.“ Brenda Darden Wikerson on Green Connections Radio podcast Read Joan's Forbes blogs on Brenda's advice for organizations and for women too. You’ll also like: Barbara Whye, new Chief Diversity Officer of Apple, formerly CDO and VP of HR at Intel. Telle Whitney, former CEO, Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, cofounder of Grace Hopper Conference Mary Snapp, Corporate VP of Microsoft, CEO of Microsoft Philanthropies and Diversity Leader Sophie Vandebroek, COO of IBM Research, former CTO of Xerox and President of their Innovation Unit Subscribe to our podcasts to receive them right away and to our newsletter to be ahead of the curve. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson  

"Innovation is ...the heartbeat of the company, and as we strive for increasing diversity and inclusion, at the heart of that is... Because when doing so, it actually brings forth the best ideas, the best results, and just a higher level of creativity and solving problems." Barbara Whye, CDO of Intel on Green Connections Radio podcast What do we need to know to recruit, retain and promote truly innovative talent? Diversity! What do we need to look for in a potential employer if we ARE innovative talent? Listen to Barbara Whye, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Vice President of Human Resources at Intel -- who was just named to that role at Apple -- in this engaging interview with Joan Michelson on Green Connections Radio podcast. Grab a notepad and pen, or your laptop to take notes, because you'll hear: Specific practices Intel uses successfully to recruit, retain and promote innovative diverse talent. Listen between the lines to learn what to look for in a potential employer. How to reframe failing to "fast application of iterative learning." Why engineers are some of the most creative people around. Career tips for moving up the ladder. And so much more! "The first (advice) ...is just to continuously learn and just to continue to have an appetite for always learning.....If you aren’t learning, you should be unlearning and relearning. I think that’s just huge in terms of advancing your career." Barbara Whye, VP of HR, Chief Diversity Officer of Intel - now at Apple - on Green Connections Radio podcast  What strategies are you struggling with? What works? Tweet us @joanmichelson or post it on our Facebook Page (and ask to join our new private Facebook group) You’ll also like: Wanda Lloyd, Former Washington Post & Gannett top executive who led ground-breaking diversity in newsrooms nationwide. Telle Whitney, former CEO, Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, cofounder of Grace Hopper Conference Mary Snapp, Corporate VP of Microsoft, CEO of Microsoft Philanthropies and Diversity Leader Sophie Vandebroek, COO of IBM Research, former CTO of Xerox and President of their Innovation Unit Subscribe to our newsletter to be ahead of the career, innovation and climate/energy curve. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio (or any podcast platform) and leaving us a review! Reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson

Justin Spelhaug, the leader for the Tech for Social Impact group within Microsoft Philanthropies.

Scott Mauvais is the Director of AI and Global Partnerships for Microsoft Philanthropies where he leads a new initiative to identify and jointly invest in social impact projects with Microsoft's largest customers and partners. Scott has been at Microsoft for 20 years. Most recently, he was the Director of Microsoft Cities where he worked with city leaders to apply the global resources and expertise of Microsoft to foster the civic tech ecosystem and create opportunities for economic growth. Scott serves on the national boards of Upwardly Global, the Urban Age Institute and he is the co-owner of The WELL. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping us get to a new listener. For show notes and past guests, please visit https://www.christopherategeka.com/gratitribe Become a patron and support our creative work: https://www.patreon.com/chrisategeka Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Please send us some love here https://www.christopherategeka.com/contact Follow us on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrisategeka Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chrisategeka PODCAST Links / Handles / Contact info: Podcast Link: www.christopherategeka.com/gratitribe Instagram: @Gratitribe Twitter: @Gratitribe Facebook Page: Gratitribe Podcast Email / Contact info: Gratitribe@gmail.com Hashtags: #gratitribe #gratitude #podcast #podcastsofinstagram #chrisategeka --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/christopher-ategeka/support

A recent Harris Poll commissioned by National 4-H Council and Microsoft found that 21% of teens don’t have internet access at home but instead rely on schools, libraries, and other public places to get access. Teens without reliable access to broadband said they felt less confident in their skills and in their long-term social and economic prospects. Over half said they’ve struggled to complete their homework because of slow internet connections—and this was all BEORE COVID-19 struck!In this episode of Cause Talk Radio Megan talks to Artis Stevens, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the National 4-H Council and Kate Behncken, Vice President, Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies about their incredible partnership that is helping young people around the country get plugged in and well-connected.They discuss the issues of connectivity in rural America as well as the incredible programs this partnership has put into place to help not only bridge the gap but also empower youth to leverage technology to support their own communities during this time of Covid.Links & Notes Trevor Noah Talks To Microsoft and 4-HNational 4-H CouncilMicrosoft’s CSR Page

Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that connects classroom teachers with tech-industry volunteers to create sustainable CS programs. During this episode, the TEALS team shared about the JAVA class that was taught at KSSB, how the instructors got into coding, and the importance of accessibility. Allison Hartnett, Regional Manager with TEALS, mentioned the new Computer Science course that will be taught online with KSSB this Fall, 2020 during the afternoon after school hours to make it more accessible.

Jeremy Showalter, Microsoft Philanthropies, Technology for Social Impact Group, Microsoft, Redmond, WA, gives a talk entitled: "Lessons from Microsoft: Innovative Ways To Make An Impact Through a Corporate Context” Q&A facilitated by Dr. Rick Goossen, Chairman, Advisory Board, ELO Group and Strategic Counsel for Nicola Wealth. This presentation was given at the ELO Forum in Vancouver, November 14th, 2019. Read more>> Sign-up for the Entrepreneurial Leaders Monthly Newsletter HERE>>

“We recognize that women add fundamentally different and unique and a very powerful contribution to creating new ideas, new products, new services.”   Alfia Ilicheva on Green Connections Radio If you think only the “ah-ha” ideas become successful businesses (or nonprofits), then Alfia Ilicheva and Maria Potoroczyn want to talk to you.  They believe it’s a deliberative process that anyone, especially women, can do.    Listen to Alfia and Maria, Cofounders of Women in Innovation, a nascent educational nonprofit based in New York City, talk about how they are leveraging their years in innovation consulting with large firms – and their contacts – to help women learn and succeed with the processes they have found successful. You'll hear: ·       Why innovation is not “magic” – but a set of choices and processes that lead to specific goals and ROI (returns on investment – whatever ROI is to you). ·       Specific tips and strategies for making innovation work – from building a team, to brainstorming ideas, to culling them down, to executing on the ones chosen. “Significant opportunities don’t just magically appear out of thin air; “you’re strategically, mindfully creating these opportunities,” Alfia said. ·       What they believe are the unique gifts and challenges that women bring to the innovators' table. ·       How they have grown their community with very low expenses and an all volunteer staff. ·       Plus,, career advice, including how they are each raising small children at the same time! “Our goal is to close the gender gap in business and thought leadership in the innovation industry…” Alfia Ilicheva on Green Connections Radio You'll also like these episodes (though all our guests talk about innovation!): ·       Maria Freire, CEO of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on creative business models for innovation. ·       Mary Snapp, President of Microsoft Philanthropies and Corporate VP of Microsoft, on focused and serendipitous innovation. ·       Laura Liswood, Secretary-General of the Council of Women World Leaders, on the importance of the “dominant” culture in innovation (especially for women). ·       Ellen Williams, Former Director of ARPA-E, the prestigious innovation arm of the Dept. of Energy, on energy innovation. Thanks for subscribing on iTunes or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Also, join our Facebook Page  and share your insights! Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the top podcasts and special offers! Email us: info@greenconnectionsradio.com or reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There is some sense that women lead differently than men, but it’s hard to parse out if it’s because of gender differences or because women have historically been in the non-dominant group and men have been in the dominant group.”  Laura Liswood on Green Connections Radio Cultural dynamics drive the ability to innovate, hirings and promotions, whether it invests in sustainability and responsibility, and, well, how an organization functions across the board. Culture itself is driven by the dominant values of the leadership, and is reflected in its policies, says Laura Liswood, Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders, who has studied, interviewed and worked with dozens of female heads of state and ministers, Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits, where she has led diversity programs. Listen to Liswood’s perspective in this fascinating interview with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson live from the U.S Chamber of Commerce commemorating International Women’s Day, You'll hear: ·       What exactly “dominant” and “non-dominant” styles are and why they are powerful. ·       The pros and cons of women’s networks vs. men’s ·       Collaboration differences and why they matter. ·       How leveraging women’s creative instincts helps drive innovation. ·       Critical career advice… and much more! “What is your true north that is going to make you feel really energized? Be open to what the possibilities can be for you. As Mary Catherine Bateson has said, women’s life experiences are more likely to  look like a quilt, with blocks of experience.”Laura Liswood on Green Connections Radio Read my Forbes blog from this interview, too - on this issue here too. You'll also like: ·       Mary Lee Gannon, CEO of a multimillion dollar healthcare foundation and executive coach, on maximizing a multigenerational workforce. ·       Mary Snapp, long-time C-level executive at Microsoft, CEO of Microsoft Philanthropies on driving social innovation in a large organization. ·       Go for the Outliers, Joan’s Forbes blog on hiring people who don’t “fit in.” Thanks for subscribing on iTunes or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the top podcasts and special offers! Email us: info@greenconnectionsradio.com or reach us on Twitter @joanmichelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It would be a mistake to think that computer scientists only need to know how to code, because…ethics and privacy issues are so important. (Therefore) understanding a little bit about history and humanity will be really important as we move into these new technologies” such as artificial intelligence.  Mary Snapp on Green Connections Radio We walk into meetings or even coffee shops and can guess the stories of the people we see. It’s fun, but also one of the biggest hindrances to innovation – and to a successful diverse workplace.   Microsoft is tackling this one head on, according to the executive leading these efforts.  Considering that “seven out of the ten largest STEM occupations were computer related,” according to a 2017 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we can all benefit. Listen to Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Microsoft Philanthropies head Mary Snapp, who has worked in nearly every non-technical area of the company in her 30 years there, talk about how a company dependent on innovation drives diversity. You'll hear: .  The core issues are our own behaviors, one employee at a time. ·  Why a growth mindset is more important than credentials .  About the link between leaders’ vulnerabilities and innovation. ·  About addressing the assumptions we all have every day – especially in hiring .  How the words we use can make or break a new idea’s success, or a career ·  Great career advice… and much more! “Be willing to do something where you don’t know what the outcome is going to be….Have confidence in yourself that whatever happens, good or bad, you’ll figure it out.”  Mary Snapp on Green Connections Radio You'll want to check out these interviews too: ·       Maria Freire, CEO, the Foundation of the NIH, innovating with large organizations. ·       Beth Colleton, Former CSO for NBCUniversal and the NFL on driving social innovation in a large organization. ·       Cheryl Kiser,Author of “Creating Social Value" & Executive Director, Lewis Institute for Social Innovation at Babson College. ·       Laura Nereng, Leading innovator at 3M focusing this legacy company on impact innovation. Thanks for subscribing on iTunes or Spotify or iHeartRadio (or wherever you like podcasts) and leaving us a review! Join our mailing list to stay up to date on the top podcasts, blogs and special offers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Family travel isn't all perfect Instagram-shots. It's messy and sometimes really hard. But despite its challenges, traveling with your family is so worth it. In this episode, I chat with Catherine Gregory of To and Fro Fam, the family travel blog committed to getting real about family travel. Catherine is a freelance writer and mom to two young girls. She’s now a full-time writer with clients including Microsoft Philanthropies, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Women’s Health, Real Simple and more. You can find Catherine on Facebook and Instagram!

This is the fourth in a series of Destination Digital podcasts by NetHope, showcasing the leading influencers in the nonprofit and tech sectors together to illustrate how digital transformation promises positive change for the world’s most vulnerable through innovation, collaboration, and responsible best practices.Empowering nonprofits and humanitarian organizations to advance their mission through the use … Continued

“Artificial intelligence helps us figure out answers using data that we wouldn't have been able to know before, maybe even sometimes to predict famine or food insecurity in different parts of the world. ” What do drones and artificial intelligence have to do with farming? This week on The Produce Moms, we continue our adventure inside the Blue Room at FFA Convention. Lori and Mary Snapp, Corporate Vice President and Lead of Microsoft Philanthropies discuss how the advancement of technology is benefiting agriculture in a phenomenal way. Microsoft Philanthropies is focused on advancing a future for everyone, making our farms more sustainable, productive, and regenerative.  “There are 250 different agricultural careers. All of them are going to be impacted by technology.”   Agricultural careers are one of the top fields affected by the advancement of technology. Listen in to hear how agriculture and technology have grown together, and the impact that women have gained as these areas have evolved! The Philanthropies division of Microsoft reaches far beyond FFA. You'll hear about their impact in local schools, how they are influencing the technology of tomorrow, and how they're generosity provides food, technology, and healthcare for the impoverished today.   “We're doing some work to try to bring high speed broadband in rural areas.19.4 million Americans in rural America do not have broadband. You can't farm without broadband these days with any sort of scale.” Some Topics we talk about in this episode:   Introduction // Mary Snapp - 1:15 Artificial Intelligence and the Blue Room - 3:30 Mary's Passion for Innovation - 5:48 The Importance of Agriculture to Microsoft - 8:56 Blue365 and Microsoft's Humanitarian Efforts - 10:33 Tasty Recipes - 15:11 Wrap-up - 18:42 Get the Kroger Opt Up App on the App Store and Google or visit www.optupapp.com for more info   How to get involved Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week! https://www.facebook.com/groups/316715662104709/ Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you're at in life and business! Find out more at www.theproducemom.com   If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Jake Taylor and TEALS are advancing computer science in schools. This episode is sponsored by Smartsheet. Show Notes: TEALS Microsoft Philanthropies The Snap programming language (and here’s a video tutorial on it) "AP" was mentioned several times, I assume that’s the Advanced Placement organization AP CS A course Jake is not on Twitter, but was kind enough to provide his email address in the episode. TEALS had a booth at KCDC. I snapped a few photos: Photo 1, Photo 2 A minor correction: in the podcast Jake states that they are in 31 states. They are actually in 27 states, Washington D.C., and British Columbia. TEALS is on Twitter. Want to be on the next episode? You can! All you need is the willingness to talk about something technical. Music is by Joe Ferg, check out more music on JoeFerg.com!

What does the world stand to lose without equal access to technology and the internet? Microsoft’s Dona Sarkar and Leonardo Ortiz discuss the Microsoft Airband Initiative and why the future of jobs and education make closing the digital divide more important than ever. Then, Windows Insider MVP Andre DaCosta from Jamaica, shares his thoughts on the power of connectivity, plus a few tips for optimizing Windows while having limited access to the internet.   Episode transcript JASON HOWARD:  Welcome to the Windows Insider Podcast.  You're listening to Episode 12.  I'm your host, Jason Howard.  Today, we're exploring the digital divide and access to the Internet, what does the world stand to lose if some people have access to technology and the Internet and other people don't; what can be done about the digital divide; and why should all tech companies care.  Those questions and more coming up in this episode. First up, Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider Program, chats with Leonardo Ortiz of Microsoft Philanthropies about how the digital divide profoundly affects communities, education, and employment. Here are Leonardo and Dona. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  My name is Leonardo Ortiz.  I've been in Microsoft for 18 years now, and I currently work for the Microsoft Philanthropies group where I oversee our global execution. DONA SARKAR:  Which is, you know, kind of amazing LEONARDO ORTIZ:  It's definitely fun, you know, and it has to do with figuring out how we land our programs all over the world. DONA SARKAR:  That's right.  So as a society we're in the middle of an exciting technological transformation, but there's billions of people around the world, and millions right here in the U.S. who don't have access to tech and the Internet.  Why is this issue of digital divide so critical, and why is Microsoft Philanthropies so committed to solving it. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  As you say, you know, the world is changing at a very rapid pace. Everything is becoming more digital, which means the way in which we work, the way in which we learn, the interaction with government, with commerce. And as the world becomes more digital, when you have more than half of the population in the world with no access to technology or connectivity, which on itself shouldn't matter that much but for the fact that that connectivity allows you to access opportunities, content, knowledge, services, then these people are lagging behind even in a more rapid pace. They are underserved already, and the gap gets just widening in a more dramatic way. And they're not being able to advance and access technology by market means, which means that companies like Microsoft, we really need to step up and do some extra work in addition to what we normally do in our business model to ensure that technology advances but that we left no one behind, to the extent possible. DONA SARKAR:  You said over 50 percent of the world has no connectivity. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly. DONA SARKAR:  That's enormous. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Not even a feature phone, nothing. DONA SARKAR:  Nothing. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Nothing. DONA SARKAR:  So more than 50 percent of the world is never connected. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly. DONA SARKAR:  That's pretty extraordinary.  And I know you guys have been doing a lot of work over the past few years to ensure that people in communities have access to the opportunities that tech provides.  Can you tell us a little bit about what you've been doing. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Yes.  So our main goal is to bridge that digital divide, to ensure that people have access to technology, but most important to ensure that people is ready for the future.  In a world in which we're going to see more artificial intelligence, more robotics, the way of working is going to evolve rapidly. We need to make sure, and I'm going to start with young people, that all the future generations that will come to the workforce are future ready, that they're learning not only how to use technology but how to create technology, which is now going to become not just something that is useful for the software industry, but for everyone, regardless of the discipline that people pursue.  So that's going to more generalized in the future, and we need to make sure that that happens. Right now, we're seeing displacement starting to happen, job displacement, people whose jobs are going away because of automation, and especially in areas like the manufacturing industry or retail industry. And we need to work with society, with academia, with nonprofit sector to ensure that we're identifying those people, that we're reskilling those individuals, and that we're matching them to the existing jobs that are out there, because people may just think jobs are going away, but you know what, every time that technology evolves and that industry evolves, jobs go away but other new jobs come up. DONA SARKAR:  That's right. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  But we just need to make sure that people are trained rapidly enough to be able to plug into the existing jobs. So we're working on those two fronts, and a third area of work is ensuring that the nonprofit sector, which is one that doesn't have a lot of budget and that solely focuses on addressing some of the most difficult societal issues in the world, that they are also adopting technology so that they themselves become more effective, more productive, and do more good around the globe. DONA SARKAR:  The best way to empower them is by being able to scale with tech. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly. DONA SARKAR:  I love that. What you just said about jobs go away but new jobs emerge, and we have to really take the responsibility to train the next generation to be able to do those jobs, it reminds me a lot of that article that Brad Smith recently wrote about the retirement of the horse - LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Oh yes. DONA SARKAR:  -- with the introduction of the car, and all of the new jobs that came along with the introduction of the car, different jobs, completely different. LEONARDO ORTIZ:  That's a great example.  A great stat from that story is that in the year 1900, New York City used to have 100,000 horses.  DONA SARKAR:  Wow.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  That was what made possible everything in New York, right, people moving from one place to another, products being moved.  And then 20 years later, those horses were gone.  Imagine the amount of people that were driving the coaches or the veterinarians or people feeding the horses or cleaning after the horses.  Those jobs went away, but now you needed chauffeurs for cars and drivers, mechanics, and a breadth of other roles that existed.  Now, can the person that was cleaning the barn after the horse, was that individual skilled to now go and repair a car?  No.  DONA SARKAR:  No.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  But something needed to happen.  And that happens in any industrial revolution, and that happened all over the world.  The countries that have the ability or the societies that have the ability to learn faster and adapt faster are the ones who emerge to the top.  DONA SARKAR:  So true, and history has dictated that this will happen over and over again.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  It's happening, yeah.  DONA SARKAR:  It's happening.  So speaking of happening, can you share a success story that represents what people or communities can achieve once they have access to technology?  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  We see a lot of different stories, all inspiring.  Especially, when I talk to people, to journalists and other people around the globe, and we talk about all these 52 percent of population in the world that has no access to technology, some of those communities don't even have running water or electricity.  They barely have food.  They have no education.  So people ask us, why would they care about having technology when they're not even covering these needs, right, their essential needs.  And the answer is that technology helps leapfrog certain stages of development.  And technology helps accelerate the ability for communities to access things, content, different services, that will allow people to improve their quality of life.  A great example of this is these three kids from Uganda, Aaron, Joshua, and Josiah.  A couple of years ago, they participated in a competition that we have in Microsoft called Imagine Cup, you probably have heard of it, which is inspiring kids in high schools and colleges to learn how to develop software.  And then by doing that, they enter this competition in which they create solutions for problems that they see in their communities, whether it is related to health or education or the environment or something else.  These kids are from Uganda, and they realized that the rate of mortality of mothers and newborns was very high in rural areas, these places that had no running water, on electricity, nor clinics.  And the mortality rate was high because there wasn't enough health, not even physicians but nurses or other people, practitioners or facilities to even monitor the pregnancy.  And where you had community clinics of some sort, they didn't have the equipment, like no way to do an ultrasound, right?  So with a mobile device, a mobile phone, and coding, they invented a very low-cost device, and software, to actually replace the sonogram or the ultrasound machine at a super-low cost.  Basically, it's the cost of the device, just the phone.   And they started deploying it in rural Uganda.  And they tried it, they created this thing no one had ever created something like it, definitely not the industry, because it's a very cheap solution.  And in the communities in which they piloted, the mortality rate started going down very quickly.   They have now been in contact with local governments from a couple of African countries, or national governments from African countries that are now interested in expanding the use of this solution to be able to provide a better quality of health to expecting mothers in rural Africa.  That's a story I love.  DONA SARKAR:  I love that story.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  And like that we see a lot of other examples of great things being done.  DONA SARKAR:  I love that.  That's such impact, because it affects not just the mothers but their entire family, it affects huge communities.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Oh, it's a multiplying effect.  DONA SARKAR:  Yeah.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Yeah, that's why organizations say that if you work with women, the multiplying effect in society is huge, because in many cases, especially in developing countries, women are heads of family.  So you impact the whole family immediately.  DONA SARKAR:  I think that's fascinating.  What you said about leapfrogging is really powerful, because we have a Windows Insider named Caleb teaching Code.org tutorials.  He used the Minecraft ones that your team produced to teach basic tech education to these kids outside Nairobi, in Kenya.  And these are kids who have never seen a computer, who have never been in a connected area.  So he goes to town with a car, some PCs, Code.org tutorials, sets up this hub, and actually gets them hands-on time with these tutorials.  And what's fascinating is that the kids take to it immediately, they learn it right away.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  They do.  DONA SARKAR:  And parents will often come and say, "What are you wasting your time with, this has no place in our life, we need you to be helping on the farm," you know, this kind of thing.  So Caleb told us a story that his best student is a ten-year old named Bernice. And one day, Bernice's mom comes to school and says, "Why is she wasting her time with this?  This has no room on our farm.  We need her to work on the farm."  And Caleb said, "She is learning things that will enable her to bypass farming forever."  And to Eunice that's like a shocking stat, right, she doesn't know that that means.  So what Caleb did was he pulled in the parents and the teachers into learning to code so they also have the opportunity to leapfrog their lives, and they're able to actually help their kids with technology, because when kids have questions, you go to the adult in your life.  And Caleb knows he's not going to be around in their village forever, so he's systematically changing people's lives, not just kids, but the adults who love them, who care about them.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  This is a great example, and it speaks to what we're really getting when learning how to code, which is it's not the coding, it's you're learning critical thinking, problem-solving.  DONA SARKAR:  That's right.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  And in the long term we in Microsoft and many other players in the industry and in academia are convinced that computer science education is fundamental and should be compulsory in the same way in which we all learn biology and chemistry and physics.  Not because we will become part of the health industry or go and work for a chemical company, but because, for example, for you to know how your body works you needed to learn fundamentals of biology.  In an increasingly digital world, if we want to understand how things work in society, we need to learn computer science.  DONA SARKAR:  Oh, absolutely.  I think everyone has to learn computer science.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Even if you're not going to become an engineer.  So that's --  DONA SARKAR:  Essentially if.  And I tell everyone it's like reading and writing.  Just because you can read and write doesn't make you an author.  You don't need to become an author necessarily.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly.  DONA SARKAR:  But it's fundamental to learn.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly.  DONA SARKAR:  So in order for people to actually learn computer science, we need connectivity.  And like you're saying, over 50 percent of the world's population isn't online.  And in the U.S. 23 million people in the rural parts of the U.S. don't have access to high-speed Internet or broadband.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  You know what's crazy about that?  Even in some of these communities we have data centers, and other companies have data centers.  Can you imagine you go outside of a data center there's no connectivity for the community, the neighboring families?  DONA SARKAR:  That's crazy.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  So that's a big problem.  It's a global problem, of course.  We have been as Microsoft engaged in trying to address this problem for a few years now.  We have around 18 different projects around the globe.  We're currently heavily investing in India, which is a vast country, also with a huge gap in connectivity.  But you would imagine that people would say developed countries don't have this problem.  DONA SARKAR:  Oh my.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  But you then go and look at the stats, and, you know, 24 million people in the United States --  DONA SARKAR:  That's not a small number.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  -- that live in rural areas don't have access.  Actually, the number is greater when you add the people in urban areas.  It actually goes up 32 million people in the United States, 23 of which are in rural areas, which is where the problem is more pronounced.  And that's an issue.  Why?  Think about the education model in the United States, for example, right now, requires students of all grades to access resources and do homework online.   DONA SARKAR:  That's right.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  That's generalized.  It's like all districts have components that are online.  More and more and more as a parent you need to engage online.  The kids come home, and they need to do homework online, and they check for answers of their math homework online to see, okay, did I solve this problem right, and then online you have the whole construction of how you did it.   If you don't have access, if you're an 11-year-old or a 12-year-old in middle school, you had no way of knowing if you did your math homework right or wrong.  Or sometimes to even go and do what is required online.  And if you don't do that, that means that you start falling behind.  DONA SARKAR:  Immediately.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  And that's exponential.  And for purpose of the example let's just put it in time.  If you fall a month behind from everyone else, the next year you're two months or three months behind.  It's exponential.  The more you fall behind because everyone is advancing rapidly, the gap starts widening very quickly.  That's one example of why connectivity is very important.  DONA SARKAR:  That is a frightening realization.  I had not thought about that in that way.  I'd thought about it in terms of this will just keep these people from knowing about opportunities that exist in the world.  But if it starts all the way in elementary school, they don't even get there.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  It impacts education.  People think, okay, if you don't have connectivity, then too bad, you need to go to the store instead of shopping online, or you won't access Facebook.  No, it's not about that.  DONA SARKAR:  No, it's just about basic education.  It's online.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  It's about basic education.  And when you think about that, then that impacts everything else in society.  DONA SARKAR:  Yeah.  My gosh, I hadn't realized, because, you know, when you and I went to school, looking stuff up online was not a mandatory part of our life.  But now it is.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Now it is.  And you could say, well, those kids then need to go to the library, but that could be a partial solution, but it is not enough because now everything is online.  DONA SARKAR:  And they are going to have to assume certain things:  library is there, it's open, library has connectivity, they have enough computers for everybody.   LEONARDO ORTIZ:  There are stories that we've heard of kids that live in zip codes in which there's no connectivity and are required to do certain homework online, and kids driving somewhere to the neighboring town and standing outside of a café or a store or somewhere that has Wi-Fi in a parking lot trying to do the homework.  DONA SARKAR:  Wow.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  So when you think about that, it's like this, we really need to solve this.  DONA SARKAR:  We have to solve this.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly.  DONA SARKAR:  This is a global problem, but definitely a local one, as well.  So what have you found are the main challenges that stand in the way of closing this connectivity gap?  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  There are different components to it.  There is a regulatory component to it, and there is a technology component to it.  The technology piece, it's kind of solved in the sense that there's existing technology that can help address this at a lower cost than the normal broadband by fiber optic.  The problem is infrastructure.  So these places don't have connectivity because there's no fiber optic network to go and do that, because there's not enough market, why all the investment.  In the United States we clearly have an initiative called Microsoft Airband Initiative is that trying to address this.  Microsoft has been investing in developing, along with some partners, technology that allows us to use the unused TV radio spectrum.  DONA SARKAR:  That's right.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  They call it TV whitespaces.  DONA SARKAR:  Yes.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  So it's when you think about the UHF channels, for example, I'm old enough to remember changing the TV not with a remote control but just using those channels.  Radio and TV, by the way, use that radio spectrum.  In places like LA or New York the radio spectrum is full because there's a lot of --  DONA SARKAR:  A lot.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  -- TV stations and a lot of radio stations.  But as you start going to more remote places, you hardly have usage of the radio spectrum.  All that unused space is space through which you can transmit data, as well if you have the right technology.  So MSR in Microsoft, along with other engineers, have created technology that allows you to access that, to put some antennas and be able to transmit some Wi-Fi signals in the radio spectrum.  Now, the way to scale this is not just to go and put a standalone antenna here or there, but to partner with commercial partners that are interested in having a low-cost solution for selling connectivity services to the population.  DONA SARKAR:  Ah, I see.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  But you asked me about the main challenge, and I'll get to the partnerships and how we do this, but the main challenge right now is more political.  It's about getting the regulatory approval, because it has to do with permits to be able to deploy those solutions in different locations.  DONA SARKAR:  So the technical problem is not the biggest challenge that we face.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  No, the biggest challenge is getting the approvals.  That's why when we launched our initiative a few months ago, Brad Smith, who's our president, presented this plan in Washington, DC in front of a lot of representatives and people from the DC community, calling for clearing these regulatory hurdles so that we in an easier way deploy this technology across the country.  That's one part of how you solve this, and then once that is cleared --  DONA SARKAR:  That's right.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  -- then you work on the business side of the house, which is, you know, we need to partner.  We don't want to become a broadband company.  DONA SARKAR:  No, not at all.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  That's not -- that's not our goal.  DONA SARKAR:  We have no intention.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  We're interested in the technology to solve the problem.  That's why we're partnering with local providers in order to figure out how to create a model that is cost effective for the population, and that doesn't require the millions of dollars of investment in fiber optic.  DONA SARKAR:  So it benefits the Internet Service Provider at a lower cost without them having to invest upfront so much that they say no.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Exactly, because if the density of the population is low, then the ROI for investing in fiber optic in certain places, it's not there.  DONA SARKAR:  It's not there.  So funny TV whitespaces story for you, outside Nairobi there's a region called Nanyuki.  Satya had gone there for Win 10 launched.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  That's where he launched Windows 10, exactly.  DONA SARKAR:  Yes.  And he actually met a Windows Insider named Chris Baraka, and Chris actually works for a company that does TV whitespaces in Nanyuki.  He's one of our Windows Insiders we work with quite regularly.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Oh, that's amazing.  And that's one of the first projects that we ever did in the world, and a lot of learning has come from that, and we are trying to replicate that in many places.  And that's what we're trying to do in the United States.  DONA SARKAR:  I think that's amazing.   So what does Philanthropies all up hope to accomplish in the next year, and eventually long term?  What would you consider to be success?  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  There's a couple of things that I will call out.  We're trying to train students or even young kids that may not be in school and teachers, teachers to be able to teach computer science education, and students to learn it.  We've already in the past few years trained more than 300 million kids.  DONA SARKAR:  Three hundred million? LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Yes.  DONA SARKAR:  Wow.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Three hundred million.  And this is a count that we started like five and a half years ago.  DONA SARKAR:  Yeah, but 300 million, that's very impressive, that's amazing.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Yeah, yeah.  Teachers we're in the thousands still.  It's a harder challenge.  And we started more recently to focus more and more and more on teachers.  We just want to keep working on those numbers, but most importantly ensuring that different countries adopt computer science education as compulsory in their education system, because we will never scale unless the formal education system integrates computer science education in their curriculum.  DONA SARKAR:  Absolutely.  There's many countries who made it mandatory, like I think England was one of them.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Well, and England is in the right path, Korea, Russia, and a few others, but the majority of the countries aren't.  DONA SARKAR:  Absolutely they are not.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Including the United States.  In the U.S. there are still 18 states that have not adopted computer science education as a subject that can earn you credits for high school graduation.  DONA SARKAR:  That's insane.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Forget about K-12, right now --  DONA SARKAR:  Eighteen?  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Yeah, 18 that still need to pass legislation.  And we have a team working on that, and we're moving fast to do it, but there's a lot of work there.  That's one part of what we want to accomplish.  On the other end, and I mentioned that earlier, that working with nonprofits for us, enabling them with technology is a multiplying factor to help address some of the most pressing challenges around the globe.  So accelerating technology adoption, especially cloud technology, for nonprofits is also something that we want to do.  Right now, we donate technology, over a billion dollars' worth of technology to more than 100,000 nonprofits around the globe.  We actually want to in the next couple of years multiply that to reach 300,000 nonprofits.   Two years ago, in the World Economic Forum in Davos our CEO, Satya Nadella, said that we were committing to donate a billion dollars' worth of cloud services to the nonprofit sector over the next three years.  And we have very rapidly seen progress there.  But it's not about the investment, it's about how many nonprofits actually get on technology, ours hopefully, but any technology, to be able to do their work in a better way.  And that's what we want to do, that's our goal.  DONA SARKAR:  I love that.   Thank you so much for being here.  This has been such a pleasure, obviously something we're deeply passionate about.  And, you know, we have millions of Windows Insiders, every country in the world.  So whatever we can do to help, just let us know, because, one, we have access to technology.  Two, we have a great passion for using that technology knowledge to make a lasting impact in the world.  So if you ever need a million friends to do something, we're your people.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  We always need that, so thanks for the offer --  DONA SARKAR:  Of course.  LEONARDO ORTIZ:  -- and I hope that we work together on different projects with your community around the world.  DONA SARKAR:  Of course.  Thank you.   LEONARDO ORTIZ:  Thanks.  JASON HOWARD:  Windows Insiders around the world cope with the connectivity gap, including our MVPs.  Next up, we'll be chatting with Andre DaCosta, the first and only Windows Insider MVP in Jamaica.   Andre is dialing into our story from Jamaica.  You might notice a few glitches in the audio, and that's due to the very problem we're talking about today, limited Internet connectivity.  Hi, Andre.  Welcome to the show.  What are you working on these days?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Hi.  It is great to be here.   This is Andre DaCosta from Jamaica.  I currently write for groovypost.com where I write a combination of how-to articles, tips and tricks, and how to get the most out of Windows 10 and Office 365.  As you mentioned, I am the one and only Windows Insider MVP in Jamaica right now, and I hope to change that.  I actually participate every day on the Microsoft communities where I offer my help and expertise in using Windows 10, and it was recognized many years ago when I was helping out with Windows 7, and I was nominated to become an MVP.  JASON HOWARD:  Awesome.  So our listeners can find you on Microsoft community and at groovypost.com.  Well, tell us a bit about where you live in Jamaica.  What do you see when you look out your window?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Well, I currently live in the central part of Jamaica, which is the Parish of Manchester.  That's about 60 miles away from the capitol, Kingston.  It's mostly a rural area.  There are a lot of farms around.  So I wake up to seeing like goats and chickens and cows and stuff like that around me.  And lots of nature.  It's a really nice place to live if you really want quietness.  JASON HOWARD:  I was going to say, it sounds like a beautiful place to be.  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Yeah, it is.  I am not too far from the beach actually.  JASON HOWARD:  A little sun and sand anytime you want it.  What about the Internet connectivity in your community?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  It's not great.  Currently, I use a metered connection.  I had to travel to my brother's home today to set up this event.  Every two days, I pay like about $2 U.S. to get about 300 megabytes of data, which I use to do my work.  And that's really that's how I've been working for a long time now.  It's a struggle, but I do work with it, and make the best of it.  JASON HOWARD:  So it sounds like in an area that has either low Internet connectivity or in your case highly metered connections, it sounds like you need to use some specific strategies in adapting to that type of environment.  Can you tell us a little bit about that?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Definitely.  You really have to be planning ahead.  Time management is an asset.  You really have to know how to use your time wisely.  But I try not to make it frustrate me or anything.  I'm still doing what I love.  I enjoy doing this.  JASON HOWARD:  Within the Windows OS itself is there anything particularly helpful about Windows, any settings or things that you can change that help make this process any better?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Well, for me personally one of the big issues I had initially with Windows 10 was it's a service.  It really delivers a lot of its functionality through the Internet.  So using a lot of features in Windows 10 required that I had a good Internet connection.  But at the same time, Windows 10 allowed me to manage how I access the Internet.  So features like the Metered Connection settings in Windows 10 allowed me to really manage which programs and services were able to access the Internet.   And it's interesting, because a lot of persons, especially in North America, had similar issues.  And I was able to write an article, and it turns out to be one of the most popular articles I have on groovypost.com, how to manage your Internet usage in Windows 10.  So I'm able to help persons still use Windows 10 and use all the offline features that it has to offer.   And there are many programs that you can still use offline, and it doesn't necessarily have to be like this operating system is going to use up all my data, what am I going to do.  You can use features in Windows 10 to manage your bandwidth, and at the same time take advantage of all the new features it has to offer.  JASON HOWARD:  So you did mention in settings being able to go through and set metered connection settings, and that it helps control how much bandwidth is being used.   ANDRE DACOSTA:  Yeah.  JASON HOWARD:  Are there any application level settings or other things anywhere inside the OS that you've found through this trial and error process that you were able to provide tips and tricks on to other users? ANDRE DACOSTA:  Again, going back to the metered connection settings, but also in Windows Update there are ways to control how Windows Update downloads updates.  So I can also adjust whether I want to share my bandwidth with other computers I have on my personal network at home, and I can also turn on certain background applications from accessing the Internet in the privacy settings.  So those are features that are available for users to explore and try and see what works for them.  You don't have to wholesale turn off everything.  JASON HOWARD:  So having said that, how would having a better Internet connection make a difference for you?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  I try not to look at it just from my perspective alone.  I think personally for the wider community where I live I think having better Internet connection would lead to a better community.   One aspect I think that would really help is in education where a lot of young people leaving high school, you know, college is not affordable, it's very expensive, and I think for a lot of young people leaving high school the first thing they think about is getting a job to support that dream of eventually going to college.  I think that's one of the areas where the Internet can definitely help when it comes to higher learning.  It equalizes the playing field for many.  I think one of the great opportunities of having a faster, more consistent and reliable Internet access would be to provide students leaving high school the opportunity to continue their education.  For a lot of students leaving high school, especially in my community, it's difficult to think about going to college right away, and many have to think about getting their first jobs.  And what that does, it tends to limit the opportunity to go to school, because once you start going into the work world, it minimizes that feeling of going on to higher education.  So I think for a lot of young persons, having access to fast Internet would give them the opportunity to continue learning using social media, using sites like YouTube to continue learn, and continue to pursue their dreams.  JASON HOWARD:  Do you see any economic benefits or opportunities that better Internet could bring to your community?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  The shared economy is an opportunity.  Platforms like Airbnb, they're coming online here in Jamaica.   Another opportunity also is even for farmers.  You know, they will be able to sell their products and advertise it to new markets.  The Internet is really the basis for the economy going in the future.  And you can't have people just thinking about leaving their rural towns and causing this exodus to go to another town where there might be better Internet.  You need to build up your local communities.  And I've made a conscious effort to stay where I live and contribute to my local economy.  And it's through the work I do as a Windows Insider I'm able to do that.  JASON HOWARD:  You've done an amazing job of describing both the challenges of limited connectivity and the potential for positive change if the gap were to be bridged.  Do you see any other ways that better access to the Internet could make a positive impact?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  You know, Jamaica has recently been going through a lot of issues in terms of the crime and violence.  And I think it goes back again to the youth not having opportunities for them to really do things to make a change in their society.  And I think if the Internet was available in a way where they could use it as a platform to build solutions that the society really needs, even if it's someone maybe starting their own Internet café in the community.  JASON HOWARD:  Yeah, it would definitely change the landscape that you're currently operating in.  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Yeah.  JASON HOWARD:  Are there any parting words of wisdoms you'd like to share with the rest of the Windows Insider community?  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Sure.  The Windows Insider program is great.  You know, if someone told me three years ago that Microsoft would release a new version of Windows two times per year, and giving the opportunity to try new releases of it every week, you know, I would say you're crazy, but it's actually happening.   And the opportunities to really contribute to the product and to see the features actually be realized is one of the great things about the Windows Insider program.  I'm actually seeing features suggested become actual technology, the end products I use every day. So I just encourage Windows Insiders all over the world definitely open up that Feedback Hub, and make sure you send in the feedback if you really want to see change, because it really does happen.   So I applaud the engineers, people like Dona and Jason and Jen and Brandon, who engage with users on Twitter every day, applaud to you.  You know, you're doing great work, and it's just for us, the users, to continue sending in that feedback to help make a great product even better.  JASON HOWARD:  Thanks, man.  You're making me blush over here.  (Laughter.)   Well, I have to tell you it has been fantastic chatting with you.  Thank you for sharing your experience with us.  And best of luck to you in your work.  ANDRE DACOSTA:  Same to you, Jason.  Take care.  JASON HOWARD:  Thanks for listening to this episode of the Windows Insider Podcast.  Join us again next month when we chat about lifelong learning, side hustles, and free learning resources for Windows Insiders.  If you liked this episode, subscribe on your favorite podcast app and share it with your friends. Thanks, Insiders.  VOICEOVER:  The Windows Insider Podcast is produced by Microsoft Production Studios and the Windows Insider team, which includes Tyler Ahn --- that's me -- Michelle  Paison, Ande Harwood, and Kristie Wang.  Visit us on the web at Insider.Windows.com.  Follow @WindowsInsider on Instagram and Twitter.  Support for the Windows Insider Podcast comes from Microsoft, empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.  Please subscribe, rate, and review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts.  Moral support and inspiration come from Ninja Cat, reminding us to have fun and pursue our passions. Thanks, as always, to our programs cofounders, Dona Sarkar and Jeremiah Marble.  Join us next month for another fascinating discussion from the perspectives of Windows Insiders.  END

As a sought-after leader, speaker, and mentor in philanthropy, Dr. Akhtar Badshah takes people who want to bend the arc of humanity toward good on a practical vision quest—one that helps them see their future as a dynamic and personal reality that calls them to act now in the everyday. We talk about how he does this on the world stage through his friendships with people like the Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus by amplifying his friend's mission to end poverty through microfinancing, and locally, through his certificate on Accelerating Social Transformation at the University of Washington. Akhtar brings a fun irreverence toward our obsession with scale. In his career that included managing billions in charitable giving as the head of Microsoft Philanthropies, he somehow manages to nurture yet another 40+ year contribution to the world as an acclaimed visual artist, crafting figurative canvases of richly-hued deities, lovers, and human-animal hybrids. Hear how his art feeds into his voracious appetite for change and how we can hone our collective skill for real social impact from the "Doctor of Change" himself. For more information about the podcast and this week's show notes, visit www.aheadofourtime.com/embody-change.

Mary Snapp, Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies, talks about how technology is the vehicle to a better future for the less fortunate during the 2017 World Bank Group Annual Meetings.

Learn all about it from Jane Broom, Sr. Director of Microsoft Philanthropies

Learn all about it from Jane Broom, Sr. Director of Microsoft Philanthropies

On today's episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we take a look at the topic of the Gender Gap in STEM Education. For more information on this topic, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/about/philanthropies/youthspark/youthsparkhub/makewhatsnext/ (MakeWhatsNext.com). I would like to thank Microsoft Philanthropies and Microsoft Education for helping to set this episode up. What if she could be the one to find the cure, crack the code, or invent something that has the potential to save lives? When we encourage girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), we double the potential to solve problems. If she stays in STEM, she could be the one to change the world. Recent research shows that, on average, only 25% of tech jobs are held by women. If we really want to close the STEM gender gap, we must start early. In this conversation, join current and veteran classroom educators, who share concrete tips and best practices for encouraging girls' interest in STEM subjects and helping them to persevere once they start down that path. About our GuestsTracy Immel Kennedy Tracy Immel Kennedy brings passion, innovation, and education experience to her role as Director of Marketing for YouthSpark, a Microsoft Philanthropies initiative focused on providing access to computer science education for youth most at risk of being left behind. Combining over 20 years of marketing experience with her passion for teaching and building human capacity, Tracy has a unique background that bridges both the public and private sector. As a consultant, she has worked with governments, schools, NGOs, and companies to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning. She has personally delivered professional development to over 5,000 educators, trainers, and education leaders and has been a featured presenter and blogger on the topic of building educator capacity. At Microsoft, Tracy developed professional development opportunities for educators and created a Training Provider program that helped scale reach to hundreds of thousands of educators globally. Today, Tracy is using her unwavering belief that all people should be valued, respected, and have the opportunity to live meaningful, productive lives to help inspire and engage young people in the opportunities that computer science education can enable. Denise Cathryn SpenceDenise Spence has been an educator for over 22 years. She has earned her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, emphasis in Instructional Technology. Over the years, Denise has earned the following IT certification credentials: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Adobe Certified Associate in Dreamweaver and Microsoft Office Specialist in Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Outlook. Her accomplishments include being selected as 1 of 3 finalists for Lee County's Teacher of the Year in 2000; she was the 1st ever Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year for Lee County in 2006; she was named Certiport's Global Summit's Teacher of the Year for 2010. Plus, Denise was a 2011 and a 2012 finalist for the Microsoft Innovation Forum. For her leadership in providing college and career related information technology training, Denise was asked to be a Faculty Champion for the Microsoft Imagine Cup and was selected to be an Adobe Education Leader. For her impact on the business community, Denise was selected as a finalist for the Fort Myers Greater Chamber of Commerce – Women in Business – Apex Award in 2011. Recently, she was nominated in the Education category, for The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Celebration of Business & Tourism Chrysalis Awards 2015 & 2016 and Denise was selected as the winner of the Inaugural Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership Women in Technology Award for 2015. Presently, Denise is the lead technology teacher at Dunbar High School, where she serves as the business technology department head and is the program's manager for award...

We interview Marnie Webb the CEO of Caravan Studios, a division of TechSoup, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Caravan Studios’ collaborative approach uses a theory of technology intervention to allow communities to respond to the issues they care about most. caravan Studios has used this methodology to launch projects in the United States, Brazil, and Qatar. The work they do impacts survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, youth who are in poverty, immigrant workers, and people who want greater food security. Caravan Studios has received funding from Microsoft Philanthropies, Vodafone Americas Foundation, Humanity United, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.

How can we harness the power of games for education? In Part 1 of the episode, the podcast explores how the PAX South 2017 gaming conference inspired ideas in better engineering education. In Part 2, we hear from two team members of TEALS, a group supported by Microsoft Philanthropies that was also at PAX. TEALS has been around since 2009, matching volunteer CS professionals with K-12 teachers in schools and developing CS curricula. John Jannone and Brett Wortzman from TEALS explained how they already use games to teach computer science to K-12 students. They discuss how to use game design, content creation, and play to achieve student learning objectives. Mentioned in this episode: • TEALS at Microsoft: https://www.tealsk12.org/ • Apply to be a volunteer for TEALS: https://www.tealsk12.org/volunteers/ • PAX South video game conference: http://south.paxsite.com/ • Convert: https://www.yodeogames.com/products/convert • Happy Chess: http://happychess.net/ • Pixel RU Squared: http://pixel.game/ • Bullet journal method: http://bulletjournal.com/ • Descendants of Erdrick band: http://www.descendantsoferdrick.com/ • Video of full talk, courtesy of Karsten Sethre and audio tech Josef: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1rTnkprCfM • TED talk from Daphne Bavalier “Your brain on video games”: https://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_bavelier_your_brain_on_video_games • Meta analysis on games and learning by Douglas Clark: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3102/0034654315582065 • Civilization (“Civ”) game: https://www.civilization.com/ • Portal 2 game: http://www.thinkwithportals.com/ • Minecraft Forge modding package: https://files.minecraftforge.net/ • Grudgeball review game: http://toengagethemall.blogspot.com/2013/02/grudgeball-review-game-where-kids-attack.html • Settlers of Catan tabletop game: http://www.catan.com/ • Angry Birds game: https://www.angrybirds.com/ • Lightbot game: https://lightbot.com/flash.html • TED talk from Jane McGonigal “Gaming can make a better world”: https://www.ted.com/talks/jane_mcgonigal_gaming_can_make_a_better_world • TEALS Intro to CS curriculum gitbook: https://github.com/TEALS-IntroCS Our closing music is from "Late for School" by Bleeptor, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Subscribe and find more podcast information at: http://www.k12engineering.net. The K12 Engineering Education Podcast is a production of Pios Labs: http://www.pioslabs.com. Check out the book and ebook “Engineer's Guide to Improv and Art Games” by Pius Wong, on Amazon, Kindle, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, and other retailers: http://www.pioslabs.com/improv4design.html

Can you help a charity move to the cloud? Carl and Richard talk to Jeremy Pitman of Microsoft Philanthropies about the new offering to provide $5000 worth of Azure credit to any qualified non-profit organization. The offering includes tools like Office 365 and Dynamics CRM - things that are pretty straightforward to implement. Even using Azure to set up a WordPress blog is simple - but what if you want to lift-and-shift an existing charity website? Perhaps .NET Rocks listeners could be helping their local charities to make this a reality! Beyond the basics, the cloud offers great new capabilities in analytics that can make charities even more effective! Public cloud for public good!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/net-rocks/donations

Can you help a charity move to the cloud? Carl and Richard talk to Jeremy Pitman of Microsoft Philanthropies about the new offering to provide $5000 worth of Azure credit to any qualified non-profit organization. The offering includes tools like Office 365 and Dynamics CRM - things that are pretty straightforward to implement. Even using Azure to set up a WordPress blog is simple - but what if you want to lift-and-shift an existing charity website? Perhaps .NET Rocks listeners could be helping their local charities to make this a reality! Beyond the basics, the cloud offers great new capabilities in analytics that can make charities even more effective! Public cloud for public good!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/net-rocks/donations