From Textiles to Tech Excellence: Alicia Keener’s Journey from Manufacturing to Microsoft MVP and Award-Winning Innovation

FULL SHOW NOTES https://www.microsoftinnovationpodcast.com/586  How do you navigate from a career in manufacturing to becoming a celebrated Microsoft Dynamics MVP? Join us as we chat with Alicia Keener, a director at RSM, whose remarkable journey in the tech industry is nothing short of inspiring. From her early days in the apparel and textiles industry to her impactful work with Frito-Lay and marketing firms, Alicia's story is a testament to resilience and innovation. You'll hear about her transition to the tech world in 2009, her passion for life sciences, and the freedom she found as an independent consultant. Discover how her team's groundbreaking project with Quanta Dialysis Technologies led them to win the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award.Alicia also shares personal anecdotes, including balancing her professional life with raising twin daughters and her love for adventurous eating. We'll explore RSM's holistic "one Microsoft" strategy, which integrates various Microsoft tools and AI to offer comprehensive solutions for clients. Alicia’s dedication to leveraging technology to make a meaningful impact is palpable throughout our discussion. Whether you’re considering a career shift or looking for inspiration from a tech leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights and advice from someone who has truly walked the walk.OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  Microsoft 365 Copilot Adoption is a Microsoft Press book for leaders and consultants. It shows how to identify high-value use cases, set guardrails, enable champions, and measure impact, so Copilot sticks. Practical frameworks, checklists, and metrics you can use this month. Get the book: https://bit.ly/CopilotAdoptionSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening 🚀 - Mark Smith