Saying goodbye to the Microsoft MVP Program.

Who are MVPs?

From the Microsoft MVP Program Website; Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products, and solutions, to solve real world problems. MVPs make up a global community of over 4,000 technical experts and community leaders across 90 countries/regions and are driven by their passion, community spirit, and quest for knowledge. Above all and in addition to their amazing technical abilities, MVPs are always willing to help others – that’s what sets them apart.

During the last four to five years, I’ve been actively contributing to the technical community and building up my public profile. I co-founded the Microsoft Security User Group, which now has over 1000 members, wrote a blog, contributed to open-source projects at Microsoft, and created Terraform Modules. In 2022, I was incredibly lucky to be nominated by a wonderful community leader from Microsoft. Getting accepted into the program and receiving the award for my contributions in 2023 was a huge achievement.

In March this year (2024), I had the chance to visit Microsoft HQ in Redmond, Seattle, for the first time for the Microsoft MVP Summit. Microsoft invites all active MVPs to join, allowing us to hear directly from the Product Groups about what’s new and what’s on the roadmap. It was an incredible opportunity to socialize, get to know the people behind the products, and provide direct feedback—all under a strict NDA. You might have seen many MVPs post during the Summit about their excitement for “NDA” changes, like “I’m really excited for the ‘NDA’ that will totally change how ‘NDA’ will work” or “Can’t wait for the ‘NDA’ updates, they’re going to revolutionize ‘NDA’!”

Then, in June this year (2024), I received my 2nd consecutive Microsoft MVP award, which was a really special moment after some stressful waiting. I was awarded not just in one category but in two, which is pretty special. But who would’ve guessed that I’d make the conscious choice to give it up for now, something I’ve just begun to embrace and keep close to my heart.

During my time in the Microsoft MVP Program, I’ve made beautiful friendships, learned an incredible amount (and I mean a lot!), laughed, felt a great sense of imposter syndrome, celebrated others’ successes, helped others succeed, nominated a few great contributors, and made beautiful memories that will last forever. As I mentioned earlier, I even got the opportunity to visit Microsoft HQ in Seattle during the last MVP Summit and meet a lot of those people in person that I’ve been looking up to all these years and only seen online or maybe at a conference. What an experience that was! I’m truly thankful for these experiences. It has been a pleasure and an honor to be part of this unique program.

But why are you letting go when it’s so great!? I really hear you! There are many reasons to say goodbye to this unique program, be it something you voluntarily choose or not. I’ve been told that my “voluntary choice” to leave is one of the best possible choices there is, a good relief to me I guess!

As many of you know, there is a policy that says you are not eligible for a Microsoft MVP Award as a Microsoft employee. Therefore, I’m really excited to share that as of November 1st, I am now a proud Microsoft employee and have been summoned to the mothership!

It sounds like a cliché but, after more than a decade of working in IT and being active in the Microsoft partner area, focused on On-premises the first 5 years and then on Cloud, the time is right to take a seat at the other side of the table. As a Senior Cloud Solution Architect – Security (CSA), I’m joining the local Customer Success Unit (CSU) in Norway. So it’s not only a change of employer, but also a change of primary focus areas and expertise. Although security has highly overlapped with my day-to-day tasks during my time working in IT, and has always been part of all solutions and deliveries, I’m excited and eager to focus myself dedicatedly on security, a topic that has been gaining so much attention, especially in the last 5-6 years and is more relevant than ever. But that doesn’t mean that I’m dialing down on my contributions to the community, no way! The aim is to stay involved and keep up supporting the community, although the focus might shift a bit, but remain mostly within Security, Infrastructure As Code, and still contribute as one of the organizers of the Microsoft Security User Group.

I can’t wait and I’m really looking forward to getting introduced to my new colleagues, keeping up with old friends, creating new and exciting memories, making new friends, learning every day, and working towards the mission of helping every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more!