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AWARDS
Celebrate the people, content, and creativity that make our tech community thrive! The ESPC Inspire Awards honour the standout contributors whose tutorials, videos, podcasts, innovations, and community spirit truly made an impact in 2025.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and cast their votes in this year’s Awards. Your participation helped shine a light on the individuals and moments that inspired us all.
Below, you’ll find the 2025 winners! Congratulations to them all, and thank you for their contributions to our community that earned each a well-deserved place in the spotlight!
Get ready for a celebration of the people, content and creativity that make our tech community thrive. Whether you’re the one giving standout tutorials, running a podcast that everyone’s hooked on, or creating the sponsor booth everyone’s talking about, the ESPC Inspire Awards are for you! It’s your chance to shine, share the spotlight, and tell us about the legends who’ve inspired you all year long.
Thank you to everybody who submitted nominations and voted in our community vote. The vote is now closed! The ESPC Inspire Awards winners will be announced in the Expo Hall on Tuesday 2nd December, so make sure to vote and help us recognise the individuals and moments that truly made an impact this year!
You can now submit your nominations for the categories below. Whether it’s yourself, a colleague, or someone who’s inspired you, we want to hear about them. All submissions will be reviewed, and the winners will be selected by our judging panel!
Your nominations really matter here. These awards are our chance to celebrate the people and content that make our community what it is. Take a moment to think about who’s made your professional life better this year – they deserve the recognition, and your nomination makes it happen.
Nominations close on October 10th 2025. Finalists will be announced on October 17th 2025. Winners announced at ESPC25 on December 2nd 2025.
Voting is now closed. The winners will be revealed at ESPC, 2nd Dec, at the Innovation Stage from 17:45.
There are people in our community who just make everything better. You know who they are – they’re the ones answering questions at all hours, cheering on others’ successes, and somehow making everyone feel welcome. They’re not doing it for recognition; they genuinely care about lifting everyone up. These are the folks who make you think “our community is lucky to have them.” Who has made your journey in this space richer just by being themselves?
Congratulations to Markus Franz, the 2025 Best Community Contributor!
Why the community nominated Markus:
🏆 A positive, supportive presence both online and in person.
🏆 Actively helps others through Microsoft forums, social media and user groups.
🏆 Recently recognised as a Microsoft MVP for his outstanding community contributions.
🏆 A driving force behind building and supporting the Austrian Power Platform community.
Congratulations as well to the two other finalists, Ejaz Hussain and Sebastián Zamorano.
There are tons of tech podcasts out there, but only a few have earned a permanent spot in your playlist. Maybe it’s the one that makes your drive to work actually enjoyable, or the show that consistently teaches you something you can actually use. These hosts have figured out how to make complex stuff accessible and interesting. Which podcast feels like catching up with smart friends? Nominate the one you keep coming back to, episode after episode.
Congratulations to Copilot Connection, voted Best Podcast!
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 that makes complex topics easy to understand. From walkthroughs and myth-busting to real-world demos across Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform.
🏆 Engaging hosts, great guests and conversations that are both informative and fun.
Congratulations as well to the two other finalists, Code, Deploy, Go Live! and Office 365 Distilled.
Some YouTube creators just have that special something. They take topics that could be dry as dust and somehow make them engaging. Maybe it’s their teaching style, their production quality, or just the way they explain things that makes sense to your brain. These are the channels you actually subscribe to and watch regularly, not just stumble across. Which one has become part of your learning routine?
Congratulations to the Best YouTube Channel winner: Shane Young!
Why the community nominated Shane Young:
🏆 Clear, practical explanations that make even complex Power Apps and Power Platform topics easy to understand.
🏆 Videos that solve real-world problems, offering honest insights (including what doesn’t work) and helpful workarounds.
🏆 Content that goes beyond demos to build true understanding of Power Platform concepts, helping viewers get the most from the tools.
Congratulations as well to the two other finalists, Kaz Demos and Vlad Talks Tech.
Real change happens because of people who care enough to do the hard work. This person isn’t just talking about inclusion, but creating opportunities, opening doors, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table. They understand that our industry is stronger when everyone can contribute their unique perspective. Who’s making a real difference in creating the inclusive community we all want to be part of?
Congratulations to Zoe Wilson, our Diversity Leader!
Why the community nominated Zoe Wilson:
🏆 Zoe launched the New Speakers Workshop, creating opportunities for people across tech to gain confidence and find their voice on stage.
🏆 Her commitment to elevating diverse perspectives has already led to seven new MVPs and countless new speakers presenting at events around the world.
Congratulations as well to the two other finalists, Femke Cornelissen and Emily van Putten.
Great mentors change lives. This person doesn’t just share what they know – they really invest in helping others grow. Maybe they’re the reason someone stayed in tech when it got tough, or the person who helped someone land their dream role. Their mentees don’t just learn technical skills; they gain confidence and find their own path. Who’s been that game-changing mentor for people in our community?
Congratulations to our 2025 Best Mentor winner: Sharon Smith!
Why the community nominated Sharon Smith:
🏆 Sharon has made an exceptional impact through Women in Power and The Mentoring Hub, dedicating significant time, energy, and personal resources to supporting others.
🏆 She founded the Mentoring Hub charity, building a structured network of mentors and mentees across the tech community and expanding support for career-switchers entering the Microsoft ecosystem.
Congratulations as well to the two other finalists, Vlad Catrinescu and Simon Owen.
This leader makes things happen while making everyone around them better. They navigate the tricky stuff with grace, make the hard decisions, and somehow keep their team motivated and growing. People want to work with them because they create environments where good work gets done and people feel valued. They’re the kind of leader you’d want to work for. Who sets the standard for what great leadership looks like?
Congratulations to Zoe Wilson, voted Tech Leader 2025!
Why the community nominated Zoe Wilson:
🏆 Recognised for inspirational leadership at Avanade, contributing to the organisation winning the inaugural Copilot Partner of the Year award.
🏆 A consistent champion of women in IT and a driving force behind the Scottish Summit as part of the leadership team.
🏆 A highly active community speaker, sharing her expertise at events worldwide.
🏆 Mentor and supporter of new MVPs, helping emerging talent thrive.
Congratulations as well to the other finalists, Sami Laiho and Sebastián Zamorano.
Some people just see possibilities where others see problems. This trailblazer is exploring new territory, trying things that haven’t been done before, and sharing what they learn along the way. They’re not afraid to experiment, fail, learn, and try again. Their work gets other people excited about what’s possible. Who’s pushing boundaries and inspiring you to think bigger?
Congratulations to our 2025 Tech Trailblazer: Reshmee Auckloo!
Why the community nominated Reshmee Auckloo:
🏆 Reshmee is known for consistently sharing insightful, high-quality updates on agents and emerging AI capabilities, helping the wider community stay ahead of rapid change.
🏆 She is always willing to support others—answering questions, offering guidance, and helping people understand complex concepts with clarity and generosity.
🏆 Her enthusiasm for learning and experimenting with new technologies inspires others to explore, build and grow their own skills.
Congratulations as well to the other finalists, Andrew Connell and Adam Wójcik.
There are people in our community who just make everything better. You know who they are – they’re the ones answering questions at all hours, cheering on others’ successes, and somehow making everyone feel welcome. They’re not doing it for recognition; they genuinely care about lifting everyone up. These are the folks who make you think “our community is lucky to have them.” Who has made your journey in this space richer just by being themselves?
There are tons of tech podcasts out there, but only a few have earned a permanent spot in your playlist. Maybe it’s the one that makes your drive to work actually enjoyable, or the show that consistently teaches you something you can actually use. These hosts have figured out how to make complex stuff accessible and interesting. Which podcast feels like catching up with smart friends? Nominate the one you keep coming back to, episode after episode.
Some YouTube creators just have that special something. They take topics that could be dry as dust and somehow make them engaging. Maybe it’s their teaching style, their production quality, or just the way they explain things that makes sense to your brain. These are the channels you actually subscribe to and watch regularly, not just stumble across. Which one has become part of your learning routine?
Real change happens because of people who care enough to do the hard work. This person isn’t just talking about inclusion, but creating opportunities, opening doors, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table. They understand that our industry is stronger when everyone can contribute their unique perspective. Who’s making a real difference in creating the inclusive community we all want to be part of?
Great mentors change lives. This person doesn’t just share what they know – they really invest in helping others grow. Maybe they’re the reason someone stayed in tech when it got tough, or the person who helped someone land their dream role. Their mentees don’t just learn technical skills; they gain confidence and find their own path. Who’s been that game-changing mentor for people in our community?
This leader makes things happen while making everyone around them better. They navigate the tricky stuff with grace, make the hard decisions, and somehow keep their team motivated and growing. People want to work with them because they create environments where good work gets done and people feel valued. They’re the kind of leader you’d want to work for. Who sets the standard for what great leadership looks like?
Some people just see possibilities where others see problems. This trailblazer is exploring new territory, trying things that haven’t been done before, and sharing what they learn along the way. They’re not afraid to experiment, fail, learn, and try again. Their work gets other people excited about what’s possible. Who’s pushing boundaries and inspiring you to think bigger?
This leader makes things happen while making everyone around them better. They navigate the tricky stuff with grace, make the hard decisions, and somehow keep their team motivated and growing. People want to work with them because they create environments where good work gets done and people feel valued. They’re the kind of leader you’d want to work for. Who sets the standard for what great leadership looks like?
These four categories are a little different from the rest as the winners will all be decided during ESPC25 and are based on what happens live at the conference.
We’re celebrating the tutorial that made everything click – the one that left attendees inspired, energised, and ready to apply what they learned.
The winner will be the tutorial with the highest attendee rating from the Tutorial Feedback forms. The winner will be announced post ESPC.
Some sessions leave a lasting impact – packed with insights, fresh ideas, and moments that shift your thinking.
The winner will be the top rated ESPC session based on the ESPC Session App ratings. The winner will be announced post ESPC.
We’re recognising the sponsor booth that truly stood out – through great conversations, smart demos or just an unforgettable experience.
The winner will be selected by ESPC Attendees and announced live at the ESPC Sponsor Prize Giveaway during Thursday’s lunch time at the Innovation Stage.
We’re celebrating the post that captures the spirit of ESPC25 – whether it’s insightful, uplifting or just perfectly timed.
Our judging panel will choose the winner from posts shared using #ESPC25, announced live at the ESPC Sponsor Prize Giveaway during Thursday’s lunch time at the Innovation Stage.
Our brilliant Programme Team, the minds behind the ESPC25 conference schedule, will be serving as our 2025 Judging Panel. With their deep knowledge of the tech landscape and a sharp eye for standout content and community impact, they’re perfectly placed to decide who is a finalist for a 2025 Inspire Award!
Please read the Terms and Conditions before participating in the ESPC Inspire Awards.
