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The Code of Us: Speak My Language AAPI Edition
Watch as Microsoft employees try to guess the meanings and translations of each other’s cultural phrases for AAPI Heritage Month. 1 of 11
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The Code of Us: The Dish Dish Asian and Pacific Islander Edition
Get ready to taste the flavors from 3 unique Asian perspectives. It’s a celebration of culture through food! 2 of 11
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“Keep growing. Keep finding opportunities. Keep creating innovation because that’s the future.”
Drawing empathy from her upbringing in China and her mother’s resilience, Sonja, a product marketing manager at Microsoft, transitioned from banking to tech with a goal in mind: to pioneer solutions and foster company evolution. Embracing her introversion, she now confidently contributes in a way that reflects her own growth. 3 of 11
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“If you have learned how to enjoy your life and whatever you have, that’s the success for anybody to live with.”
From serene Himalayan roots to navigating self-image challenges, Naval, a principal software engineering manager at Microsoft, champions resilience. After embracing meditation, he learned to foster tranquility and offer guidance to peers who faced their own challenges in life. 4 of 11
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The power of an open heart and mind
Sometimes we possess intangible items that are useful ideals that we carry with us. Naval shares with us three tools within his spiritual inventory that act as his most treasured possessions. 5 of 11
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“You are enough. You wouldn’t be here if someone here didn’t think you were incredible.”
Raised with values rooted in her Japanese heritage, Megumi found solace in community during deployments while in the military. Now as a managing editor of customer storytelling at Microsoft, she empowers global voices, advocating for authenticity and reminding others of their inherent worth. 6 of 11
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Cracking the code
When Zuzu began her career as a software engineer, she often battled Imposter Syndrome. Then, she decided to fight the status quo. 7 of 11
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Planting seeds, cultivating personal growth
Our possessions sometimes serve as personalized markers of our growth. Sonja shares with us her avocado plant, which serves as a symbol of her personal evolution. 8 of 11
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What leaders look like
Shrivaths worried that coworkers would be reluctant to follow a leader who had disabilities. Instead, he discovered that his experiences made him a stronger, more empathetic manager. 9 of 11
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Master of messiness
As a mom and a tech leader, Elaine has learned to embrace the chaos and put her “octopus mind” to work in service of innovation, at work and at home. Illustrated by Niege Borges. 10 of 11
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Families power who we are at Microsoft
Microsoft coworkers swapped stories about family to write powerful poetry. Now, they’ll hear what the other person wrote for the first time. Let the snaps commence.
Families shape the people who build Microsoft
Microsoft coworkers move across a game board where every space opens a conversation about family. Each roll reveals a story worth sharing.
How women at Microsoft are driving change in tech
Women at Microsoft share personal stories, lived experiences, and candid reflections that go beyond job titles and technical roles. They highlight how culture, identity, mentorship, and inclusion shape the future of the tech industry.
How women at Microsoft are shaping the future of technology
Through leadership, creativity, and lived experience, women across Microsoft are redefining the blueprint for how innovation is built.
Black and African American employees share stories inside Microsoft
Explore stories of creativity, identity, and impact from colleagues across Microsoft teams and time zones, and share them to keep the momentum going.
Black and African American voices shape today. Their impact builds tomorrow.
Black and African American voices shape today. Their impact builds tomorrow.
Microsoft employees try to guess each other’s stories: disability community edition
From breaking barriers to designing breakthroughs, the disability community expands what’s possible for people and technology.
Disability community awareness: Microsoft employees break barriers & build belonging in tech
Different experiences. Shared Impact. Recognizing the voices and contributions of people of all abilities at Microsoft.
Indigenous stories at Microsoft: building a future rooted in tradition
Indigenous heritage is a source of strength and vision—shaping communities and industries worldwide. The Code of Us honors Indigenous employees whose stories and traditions enrich Microsoft’s culture and future.
Cómo Lo Digo?: Microsoft employees share their favorite cultural sayings
Microsoft employees share their favorite Spanish phrases and the cultural meanings behind them.
Celebrating the diverse voices of Hispanic and Latinx cultures at Microsoft
We’re celebrating Hispanic and Latinx culture, traditions, and contributions at Microsoft—and the people who bring them to life every day.
The Code of Us Celebrates Pride
At Microsoft, we’re proud to celebrate Pride and uplift LGBTQIA+ voices across our global community. In this special edition of “The Code of Us,” you’ll meet some of the incredible employees who make Microsoft what it is—by being exactly who they are.
Who’s your avatar, LGBTQIA+ edition
Microsoft’s LGBTQIA+ communities are showing up and showing out, one avatar at a time—because identity is limitless, and so is Pride.
True or false, LGBTQIA+ edition
LGBTQIA+ voices share their takes on community facts and personal opinions. Can you guess the answers?
The Dish Dish Family Edition
This Family Month, The Code of Us is highlighting what Microsoft employees are cooking up in their family kitchens as they ‘dish’ on their favorite dishes.
True or False Family Edition
The Code of Us puts Microsoft employees to the test in a game of True or False – Family Edition.
The Code of Us: Codes in Common
Discover the shared experiences of two Microsoft employees as they discuss their unique perspectives of being women in tech.
The Code of Us: Roundtable Talk
Women at Microsoft reflect on their unique experiences and impact in the tech industry.
Speak My Language – Military Edition
Watch as Microsoft employees try to guess the meanings of each other’s military jargon for National Military Appreciation Month!
True or False – Military Edition
Microsoft employees with military backgrounds put their knowledge to the test in a round of True or False.
The Dish Dish Asian and Pacific Islander Edition
Get ready to taste the flavors from 3 unique Asian perspectives. It’s a celebration of culture through food!
Speak My Language AAPI Edition
Watch as Microsoft employees try to guess the meanings and translations of each other’s cultural phrases for AAPI Heritage Month.
Roundtable Talk – Black History Month
Join us for a Black History Month roundtable as Microsoft employees discuss how their unique code shapes innovation, inspiration, and representation in tech.
Microsoft Reacts: Black History Month Edition
Watch as Microsoft employees use their sense of sound and touch to react to objects and facts about Black innovation during Black History Month.
Partnering for inclusion and accessibility
Jessica, Director of Accessibility Partnerships at Microsoft, views her disability as a strength. Drawing from personal experience, she leads global initiatives to drive inclusion and accessible technology, empowering people with disabilities and ensuring everyone can bring their full selves to work.
How a military veteran found empowerment in her ADHD and autism
Ryen, Principal Security Program Manager at Microsoft, harnesses her ADHD and autism to her advantage in work and life. Drawing from military experience, she’s dedicated to protecting Microsoft and its customers from cybersecurity threats, while fostering trust and striving to be her best every day.
Honoring heritage and self
Staci, Sr. Software Engineer at Microsoft, attributes her resilience and willingness to listen to her Indigenous heritage. As the first in her family to be born and raised off the Blackfeet reservation and graduate from college, she honors her parents’ sacrifices by advocating for representation in the tech world.
Giving fonts a purpose – across culture and ability
As a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Greg, knows the importance of preserving the emotion and expression of native languages. As Principal Software Engineering Manager for Microsoft, he aims to work with fonts and characters to further protect and archive sacred languages in the digital landscape.
Telling Indigenous stories in gaming
Crediting her Cherokee roots, Gillian, Software Engineer at Microsoft, takes pride in seeing the value in everything around her. Now she’s made it her mission to show that Indigenous Peoples, culture, and stories are valuable in tech and gaming as well.
Finding a sense of belonging
As a young mom, Diana experienced imposter syndrome. Her personal journey helped her overcome it and she’s now a Senior Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. Diana also gets to pursue a childhood interest, writing for Fashion at Microsoft.
A path for the gamers
Utilizing the resourcefulness he feels is intrinsic to his Brazilian heritage, Daniel, Xbox Loyalty Marketing Lead at Microsoft, set out to help young Latin-Americans get into gaming with programs like Imagine Cup.
Growing day by day
After her family experienced bankruptcy when she was young, Gabriela, Senior Director at Microsoft, learned how to fix things the only way she knew how — through community. Now she’s driving the business forward every day.
A captain’s treasure
We hold on to items over time and watch them become symbolic for where we’ve been and what we’ve done. For Petrus, an essay, insignia, and audiobook all hold significance to his path so far.
A journey defined by wings and words
For Vishal, relics like his “thinking ball,” his first wings earned in the US Marine Corps, and treasured letters from his family offer comfort and remind him of who he is and what he’s both accomplished and overcome. These objects help to portray Vishal’s journey of duty, sacrifice, and gratitude.
Art of cherishing travel
Sometimes our possessions remind us of our favorite places or home. Athena shares the items that take her back to Taiwan, Prague, and New York. Join the conversation and share with us what items remind you of the places you’ve been.
Near and dear
Keepsakes that get passed through generations of a connected family can unlock hidden characteristics of our colleagues. Cynthia presents us with some of hers that showcase her mom’s creativity and how she encourages herself to fly. What cherished keepsakes have passed through the hands of your family?
Power of empathy in effective leadership
After balancing work and caring for her son as he dealt with challenges to his eyesight, Cynthia activated her courage. Now, she strives to manage her team with grace, strength and truth in moments where they are also balancing family life and career.
Nurturing cultural commitment
Inspired by her son, Athena navigates her career and motherhood with empathy and resilience. Marked by familial support and the importance of cultural preservation as she raises her own family, she shares a deep connection with her clients.
Innovating beyond the mind’s eye
Emmanuelle has an invisible disability that prevents her from visualizing things in her mind. Now she proves that she can do anything that anybody else can, working passionately to spread awareness of aphantasia.
Bringing my collective self to problem solving
Cambodian-born American immigrant Sopheak is on a journey to realize his own identity and in doing so, creating safe spaces and resources for his community—inside and outside of Microsoft.
No shame
Thiago struggled to keep his ADHD and anxiety a secret, until working through a mental health crisis led him to realize that his differences brought a unique perspective to his work.
Rethinking remote
During the pandemic, Experience Lead Sascha and his team set out to make meetings and events more inclusive, for both remote and on-site teams. The result was Microsoft’s first hybrid event room.
The power of empathy
For Customer Success Account Manager Thad, living with PTSD, anxiety, and substance abuse disorder empowers him to connect more intentionally with customers.
Nichole’s Balancing Act
Nichole was used to juggling her job, her life, and her anxiety. At a time when she achieved her biggest professional goal, she found that her mental health threatened to bring it all crashing down.
Freedom in uncovering
Manuel has been navigating life with epilepsy. From concealing his condition to being vocal about his needs, Manuel shares a journey of strength, acceptance, and the power of a supportive workplace.
Lessons on fatherhood and resilience from my Sikh upbringing
Senior Customer Engineer Davinder Pal channels the teachings from his faith and family life into meaningful representation of Sikhism in tech.
New world views
Diagnosed with a visual disability in her teens, Senior Product Manager Nidhi advocates for assistive technologies in the workplace designed to meet people where they are.
From covering my identity to embracing it
Raised by Vietnamese refugees and in nondiverse communities, Director of Customer Success Ngoc now helps provide a safe, welcoming space for AAPI self-identified colleagues.
What Leaders Look Like
Shrivaths worried that coworkers would be reluctant to follow a leader with disabilities. Instead, he discovered that his experiences made him a stronger, more empathetic manager.
Planting seeds, cultivating personal growth
Our possessions sometimes serve as personalized markers of our growth. Sonja shares with us her avocado plant, which serves as a symbol of her personal evolution.
A mother’s love
Meet Megumi, whose possessions speak volumes about her journey. From her mother’s protective amulet to a cherished challenge coin marking professional growth, each item resonates with Megumi’s personal evolution and resilience.
The power of an open heart and mind
Sometimes we possess intangible items that are useful ideals that we carry with us. Naval shares with us three tools within his spiritual inventory that act as his most treasured possessions.
Always room to grow
Drawing empathy from her upbringing in China and her mother’s resilience, a product marketing manager at Microsoft, transitioned from banking to tech with a goal in mind: to pioneer solutions and foster company evolution. Overcoming introversion, she now confidently contributes in a way that reflects her own growth.
Everything has a solution
Jose is a data scientist that uses the lessons instilled by his parents to find solutions to the challenges around him.
Personal tech
For Pablo, director of Audience Evangelism, responsible innovation is more than a professional mandate: it’s part of his job as a dad.
Experiencing both sides
Ana grew up in Mexico but went to school in El Paso. Discover how moving between two cultures helped make her a better graphic designer.
Great expectations
When Colombian-born Joseph interviewed at Microsoft fresh out of graduate school, he was not expecting to get the job. Twenty-two years later, he continues to advocate for recruiting people from around the globe.
Citizen of the world
Sandra is originally from Mexico, living in Estonia, and managing orientation for new employees from all over the world.
Bring yourself to work
Rodrigo grew up undocumented and felt like he lived in the shadows. When he joined a group of Microsoft volunteers translating for refugees at the U.S. border, he rediscovered his light.
This is my sazón
Ivelisse is a user experience designer that uses patience and her family to combat her own self-doubt.
Good Energy
Mekonnen first learned about mechanical engineering from a cab fare. Now, as a leader, mentor, and advocate, he’s helping the next generation of Black innovators find their way.
A journey to racial awareness
For Digital Account Executive Douglas, starting the first Blacks at Microsoft chapter in Latin America has brought him closer to his cultural identity and community.
Tracy Jones Innovator’s Inventory is all about stories
Every object tells a story of growth and inspiration. Join us as Tracy reveals the personal inventory that defines his path and principles. What items have shaped your journey?
Ashley Innovator’s Inventory and the big plans she’s made
Our personal treasures hold the stories of who we are. Ashley shares the tangible symbols of her values and journey. What mementos narrate your life’s chapters?
Jerome Innovator’s Inventory and the items that remind him of who he is
Every artifact in our life can be a source of inspiration and a marker for success. Jerome presents us with the personal items that fuel his creativity and professional growth. What mementos represent your path to success?
When innovation and passion collide
Jerome discusses the influence of his father’s guidance, his passion for art and music, and his innovative approach to driving positive change and representation in his professional sphere.
The link between customer success and the freedom to be yourself
Inspired by her son and her joy-centered approach, Ashley, a Microsoft customer success account manager, champions the power of a unique voice to drive change and growth in the corporate world.