In Minneapolis—her adopted “Goldilocks city”—Natalie Saunders is charting a path defined by grit, curiosity, and a deep love of learning. Her journey has taken her from small‑town Iowa to military service in Kosovo, through creative pursuits in visual effects, and now into the world of Microsoft technologies. And along the way, TechFluent became the catalyst that helped her discover where she truly belongs.

Finding Her Way: From Iowa to Minneapolis

Natalie grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, surrounded by a family of educators. But in her early college years, structure and focus were elusive. After flunking out of the University of Iowa her Freshman year, she faced an early crossroads. “I wasn’t ready for college. I needed the real world to kick me in the proverbial b*tt,” she recalls.

That nudge came through the Iowa National Guard. Following in the footsteps of her father—who retired as a two‑star general—Natalie enlisted, trained as a radio operator, and found herself deployed to Kosovo in 2005. The experience was transformative. Between long days of work, exploring medieval chapels, and evenings out with fellow soldiers, she discovered resilience, perspective, and a broader sense of the world.

“I got this strange combination of soldier life and a family vacation,” she laughs, remembering the rare experience of deploying alongside her dad. That period shaped her love of culture, history, and exploration—threads that continue to shape her approach to problem‑solving today.

A Lifelong Learner—On Her Own Terms

After returning home, Natalie continued to explore new interests. She moved to Minneapolis to attend the Art Institute, later pursued computer‑aided design at Hennepin Tech, and consistently chased subjects that fascinated her—from motion graphics to data analytics.

“I’ve always loved learning,” she says. “I just thrive when I get to pursue it in my own way.” Her curiosity eventually led her to CompTIA’s Data+ certification. And then one email changed everything.

Discovering TechFluent: A Community That Fit

When a MN DEED (Minnesota Department of Education and Economic Development) newsletter mentioned TechFluent’s Power BI training, Natalie signed up. The program happened to be within walking distance of her home—a sign she couldn’t ignore.

By the end of the second week, she knew she’d found something meaningful. A guest session with Justin Carter flipped a switch: “He was talking about consulting life, and I thought… that’s something I can do.”

From classmates who ran factories abroad to peers with intimidating academic resumes, the environment showed Natalie what’s possible when people with different stories come together to learn and build.

And she loved Copilot and the Power Platform. The combination of efficiency, creativity, and iteration appealed to her deeply—especially given her natural talent for improving processes. “I love making things run better. That’s what I do in everything—even video games.”

A Role Model in the Making

Through TechFluent, Natalie quickly earned her MB‑910, PL‑900 and PL-200 certifications and stepped into a Training Assistant role—an experience that cemented her growing confidence. That TA role eventually grew into a full-blown Training Coordinator role when she led the development of the Program’s Career Coaching Journey Program.

“It’s been a lot of fun, especially being so close to when I was in their shoes. Helping others actually reinforced my own learning.”

Looking ahead, Natalie plans to pursue additional certifications and dreams of working as a functional consultant. She hopes to spend some time in a developer‑style role first, “flipping the switches,” as she puts it, to build deeper expertise.

Ultimately, her goal is to work in the public or nonprofit sector, using her skills to give back.

Staying Connected to TechFluent

Natalie has no plans to disappear after graduation. “I’ve met so many people whose lives this program has changed. I want to stay involved however I can. It just feels natural to give back.”

Looking Forward

From radios in armored personnel carriers to Power Apps in modern workplace environments, Natalie has built a life defined by resilience, adaptability, and relentless curiosity. Her next chapter—as a consultant, developer, or future public‑sector technologist—is already taking shape.

And with TechFluent as part of her story, she’s ready for whatever comes next.