Welcome to Microsoft UK Embrace ERG (Employee Resource Group) Skills Series. This event is the 1st episode of the Embrace ERG Skills Series.

The EMBRACE ERG at Microsoft embraces all races and ethnicities and hopes through this series to spotlight the variety of careers available in the tech sector by giving examples from our own company. Our workforce is representative of the various communities and societies we work in; as such, diversity is at the core of our operations, and we hope to highlight that all backgrounds and skillsets are valued in our field. We intend to cover not only the careers available, but also provide the skills required and sessions on how to help build these skills.

What is this event about?
This first session aims to address the stigma associated with people of colour applying or transitioning into sales careers by highlighting the importance of sales in the Technology Industry.

Who is it aimed at?
Those at any stage of their career in any sector who have an interest in learning about sales in the Technology Industry.

Why should you attend?
By attending this event,
• You will understand the importance of sales within the Technology Industry
• The desired skills to be great at sales
• What sales is and isn't in the tech industry

Speaker Bio’s
Simone Warren, Azure Solutions Director, Microsoft
Born and bred in Singapore, Simone is a true global citizen having lived and worked in the UK and New Zealand. A career sales professional having held Sales positions at different organisations like Alibaba Cloud, BT and Microsoft, she is passionate about developing others and helping them on their career journey.
Connect with Simone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewarren/
https://twitter.com/WarrenSimone

Hosanna Hali, Azure Specialist, Microsoft
Hosanna is an Azure Specialist at Microsoft, her role involves helping public sector organisations to digitally transform. Hosanna started her career in the technology space over 3 years ago at Microsoft and since has been using her experience to drive cloud innovation within the public sector sector. Hosanna is also the founder of The Tech Cornr, a platform she created to help inform, inspire and empower people to pursue a career in tech.
Connect with Hosanna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hosanna-hali-177293a2/
https://twitter.com/hosannahali

Annette Garner, Healthcare – Senior Azure Specialist (Data/AI)

Annette works in the Health and Education Azure Team and was previously a Healthcare Industry Specialist at Microsoft. Annette is focused on supporting Microsoft Healthcare clients to benefit from the transformation of using cloud-based services from looking at more efficient ways to manage data to supporting the use of cognitive services or Artificial Intelligence using healthcare data. Annette has over 15 years’ experience working in the Health Tech and Data industry.
Connect with Annette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettegarner/
https://twitter.com/Angarner101

Charles Elegbede – Azure Data & AI Lead

Innovation and technology runs through the veins of Charles. He started off his technology journey running an Ed Tech company for 3 years, that positively impacted many students lives before moving to Google as an intern where he created a new Innovation Team. Charles is currently a Lead Data & AI Specialist at Microsoft within the Banking and Capital Markets Sector where he has been for almost 2 years. He continues to have a passion for the latest technologies including cryptocurrencies, blockchain, Web 3.0 and the Metaverse while still staying close with his entrepreneurial journey
Connect with Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eniola-charles-elegbede/
https://twitter.com/E_Charles_E