The winners of the ESPC Inspire Awards 2025 were announced at the Innovation Hub during Expo Drinks at ESPC25. This year’s awards brought the community together to recognise the people whose work, ideas and creativity made a real difference in 2025. The Inspire Awards highlight the individuals who help our community grow through shared learning, support and innovation.

We received hundreds of nominations, and the quality of all the nominees was incredible. Thank you to everyone who took part by nominating, voting, or supporting the finalists. We also want to extend a special thank you to our judging panel, Luise Freese and Maarten Eekels, for reviewing the nominations and helping select this year’s inspiring finalists. Their expertise and time played a key role in making the awards a success. Click here for more information on the ESPC Inspire Awards.

Below are your 2025 Inspire Award winners and the stories behind why the community chose them.

✨ Best Community Contributor 2025: Markus Franz

Congratulations to Markus Franz, celebrated as this year’s standout community champion!

Why the community nominated Markus:

• 🏆 A consistently positive and supportive presence both online and in person.
• 🏆 Provides extensive help across Microsoft forums, social channels, and user groups.
• 🏆 Recently recognised as a Microsoft MVP for exceptional contributions.
• 🏆 A key force behind building and nurturing the Austrian Power Platform community.

Congratulations also to finalists Ejaz Hussain and Sebastián Zamorano – incredible contributors in their own right!

🎙️ Best Podcast 2025: Copilot Connection

A huge congratulations to Copilot Connection, voted the community’s must-listen tech podcast of the year!

Why the community nominated Copilot Connection:

• 🏆 A clear, creative, and accessible guide through the fast-moving world of AI and Microsoft Copilot.
• 🏆 High-quality, practical content: from walkthroughs to myth-busting and real-world demos.
• 🏆 Engaging hosts, insightful guests, and conversations that are both fun and deeply informative.

Applause as well for fellow finalists Code, Deploy, Go Live! and Office 365 Distilled.

▶️ Best YouTube Channel 2025: Shane Young

Congratulations to Shane Young, whose YouTube channel continues to be a go-to learning resource for the Power Platform community.

Why the community nominated Shane:

• 🏆 Clear, practical explanations that make even complex Power Apps and Power Platform topics easy to understand.
• 🏆 Real-world problem-solving videos, complete with honest insights and useful workarounds.
• 🏆 Educational content that builds true understanding helping viewers apply concepts confidently.

Bravo also to finalists Kaz Demos (Sebastián Zamorano) and Vlad Talks Tech (Vlad Catrinescu).

🌍 Diversity Leader 2025: Zoe Wilson

A massive congratulations to Zoe Wilson, recognised for her transformational leadership in diversity and inclusion.

Why the community nominated Zoe:

• 🏆 Launched the New Speakers Workshop, empowering new voices across the tech landscape.
• 🏆 Her efforts have supported seven new MVPs and countless emerging speakers worldwide.
• 🏆 Actively champions diverse perspectives and creates opportunities for others to succeed.

🤝 Best Mentor 2025: Sharon Smith

Congratulations to Sharon Smith, whose dedication to uplifting others earned her the title of Best Mentor.

Why the community nominated Sharon:

• 🏆 A significant force behind Women in Power and The Mentoring Hub.
• 🏆 Founder of the Mentoring Hub charity, providing a structured network for career development.
• 🏆 A tireless supporter of career-switchers entering the Microsoft ecosystem, giving time, energy, and personal resources to open doors for others.

Huge congratulations as well to finalists Vlad Catrinescu and Simon Owen.

🔥 Tech Trailblazer 2025: Reshmee Auckloo

Congratulations to Reshmee Auckloo, your 2025 Tech Trailblazer!

Why the community nominated Reshmee:

• 🏆 Consistently shares insightful, high-quality updates on agents and emerging AI capabilities.
• 🏆 A generous community helper, always ready to answer questions and explain complex concepts clearly.
• 🏆 Inspires others to explore, experiment, and embrace new technologies with confidence and excitement.

Well done also to finalists Andrew Connell and Adam Wójcik.

🚀 Tech Leader 2025: Zoe Wilson

Congratulations to Zoe Wilson, voted Tech Leader of the Year!

Why the community nominated Zoe:

• 🏆 Inspirational leadership at Avanade, contributing to the company winning Copilot Partner of the Year.
• 🏆 A champion of women in IT and a core driver of the Scottish Summit’s success.
• 🏆 Highly active speaker at global events, sharing knowledge generously.
• 🏆 Mentor and supporter of emerging MVPs, helping new talent flourish.

A round of applause for finalists Sami Laiho and Sebastián Zamorano.

🎉 A Moment of Celebration at ESPC25

The ESPC Inspire Awards 2025 remind us how much impact one person can make. As we continue through the year, we look forward to seeing even more creativity, teaching, leadership and collaboration across the community.

Here’s to another year of innovation, growth and community excellence!