Episode 36: Tech Maven Stephanie Donahue

Episode 36 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Stephanie Donahue. Stephanie is President/Co-founder at PAIT Group and a Microsoft MVP. Stephanie is a recognized member of the SharePoint community where she speaks, writes, and organizes SharePoint events both locally and nationally. As president and managing partner of PAIT Group, Stephanie leverages her experience and develops relationships to build a dynamic environment for her clients that ensure the right solutions are developed to address their unique business critical projects and issues.

Stephanie and Heather caught up virtually between Cincinnati, OH and Marina del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Stephanie and Heather talk about:

  • Stephanie’s beginnings in technology and working with SharePoint via the encouragement of a mentor, becoming a consultant and then starting her own business, and encouraging others by doing the work, leaning on colleagues and that you can be successful where ever you are dropped into the world. 

  • Her Microsoft Community Mentoring Program work that led her to be a mentee nominated and the first given - Most Valuable Community Mentor Award.

  • A discussion on diversity, inclusion, women in tech and what Stephanie is seeing in the workplace by colleagues looking for guidance and thinking around how we can level up our conversations, look to our kids to help them as they are coming into the workforce and what it means to be a human in tech.

To follow Stephanie:  LinkedInTwitterInstagramWebsite-Steph K DonahueMVP Listing

With almost 20 years of experience in the IT Sector, Stephanie is a leader, an innovator, and skilled problem solver. She has a passion for technology and innovation that led her to co-found the PAIT Group. Stephanie believes that technology can minimize risk and maximize business growth and potential.

Stephanie’s community engagement helps keep her fingers on the pulse of technology to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging technologies. She leverages her knowledge and relationships with vendors, peers, and thought leaders into innovative business solutions for each of PAIT’s clients.

PAIT helps senior management build technology plans that achieve business critical goals and co-executes these solutions with your company ensuring a proper transfer of knowledge. The result for the client is increased ROI with much lower risk. PAIT’s client success is proof that the model works. PAIT matches complex concepts and projects to simple solutions. PAIT Group utilizes Microsoft technology including Microsoft SharePoint, OneDrive, and Yammer to build solutions and solve business problems.

Cook

Heather Cook currently serves as Principal PM Manager and Lead for Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group at Microsoft. She works on a team of community program managers whose charter is engagement, evangelism, and growth by building strategy, programs, and connections for our community members with Microsoft. Heather is a former Microsoft MVP for Microsoft 365 Apps and Services. Over the past twenty years, Heather has led marketing for Global Cloud Providers and run a software business. She owns a marketing/brand/wellness consultancy, Creative Maven, where she has produced thousands of events, campaigns, and experiences in the high-tech and entertainment industries. Heather is also the host of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast, which features interviews with extraordinary everyday experts who light a spark in our world. She lives in Marina del Rey, California. She has traveled the world extensively for pleasure and by speaking about Power Platform, Office 365, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Workplace Culture, Community and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Heather is a published playwright and graduate of the University of Washington School of Drama, Seattle, WA. All links for Heather: https://linktr.ee/heddamaven