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Meet Our Amazing Team

In 2022, our Program graduated 12 Learners from the CE / Power Platform Certification Track. In 2023, that same Program graduated 18 Learners. Across those thirty graduates, they hold more than 40 certifications and continue to seek more certifications on their own as they grow in their careers today.

The 2024 Cohort kicked off in the Spring with a focus on Microsoft Fundamentals and then selected their Focus Track of either Power BI, Finance & Supply Chain, or CE / Power Platform. Each Track has just completed their Capstone Projects and are in the midst of taking their Certification Exams and will graduate in early February. We expect to graduate upwards of 60 Learners achieving our first milestone of 100 Graduates!

It takes Staff, Board Members and an Army of Volunteers to ensure our Learners are supported throughout their Program journey. Meet the village who makes that happen…

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Executive Director of TechFluent & Board Member | California

Carol A Smock

A thirty-five year business veteran, Carol has built businesses and consulted in multiple industries from call centers to non-profits with one thread in common throughout – technology. Specifically, customer relationship management – initially as a marketing and database concept, and ultimately as a technology platform. Her background, expertise, and passion makes her the right leader for TechFluent Academy as the organization builds on the foundation established by its Founder, Liz McGlennen.

During her career in the CRM space she built an independent consulting business implementing Microsoft, Salesforce, Zoho and Sugar business applications before joining some of the most prestigious mid-sized consulting firms in the Microsoft Partner Ecosystem – Armanino, Tribridge and RSM. 

Carol is a seasoned executive with a passion for delivering results and developing high-performing teams. She loves wine and bourbon, dogs, travel, cooking and spending time with friends.

Beginning January 2026 Carol will join the Board of Directors with a full voting seat.

Program Director | Minnesota

Joshua Shold

Joshua brings over 16 years of B2B sales, C-suite engagement, leadership, mentorship, and operational experience as a Sr. Account Executive for multiple Fortune 500 lenders. Seeking an exit from the world of banking and finance, Joshua recently earned a B.S. in Computer Information Technology with a minor in Digital Forensics/Incident Response, focusing on information governance and cybersecurity.

In the nonprofit sector, Joshua served as Board Treasurer for Adoptee Hub, where he provided financial governance, reconciled multi-year records, and implemented FASB-compliant policies to improve transparency and accountability. His board leadership and commitment to helping underserved communities inform his learner-first approach at TechFluent Academy.

Joshua and his wife have been married for 22 years, and have three children together. They enjoy nerding out playing DnD, Magic the Gathering, and hiking on the beautiful trails in Minnesota.

President | CPO/CPXO at CongruentX

Mike Hauck

Mike co-founded congruentX as a result of almost 20 years of corporate IT leadership positions and 15 years of consulting for a half dozen consulting firms. Mike’s focus is on people both within his organization as well as his clients and his passion is mentoring and helping people achieve their goals. Mike is a lifelong student of leadership, psychology and technology that being with his 10 years in the United States Army Reserves. His journey with Microsoft Dynamics and the Power Platform began in 2003 when he implemented it for an Insurance Brokerage Firm where he was the VP of IT/CIO and he’s been focused on the platform and all things CRM and CX since. He has introduced and educated over 100 people to the platform through several Academy programs. Originally from Hershey, PA he now lives in the Tampa, FL metropolitan area with his Wife and 3 children and his passions include anything with wheels and being outside enjoying the Florida weather.
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Ex Officio | Co-Founder of Aeterna Media

Tayo Daniel

Our program is focused on providing training and education on the skills needed to be successful in a tech job, both from a technical perspective as well as consulting, networking, and writing skills. We’re bringing people into the industry I already know and am a part of – the Microsoft business applications community, where we can leverage no-code tools like Power Platform to create solutions for businesses without needing to write code. This is a huge growth industry that shows no signs of stopping, so it makes a great career entry point.

We bring together free online resources from Microsoft with live virtual training from experts, as well as providing one-on-one mentorship with industry veterans for every participant. 

Secretary | Senior Director D365 CRM at Velosio

Jason Wietharn

Jason is a business and technology advisor, with the reputation for helping people achieve their north star. Strength in creating the long-term vision and road map aligned to business needs that achieves desired outcomes. He has 17 years of experience with selling and implementing the Microsoft Dynamics product and over 28 years in business applications with sales and operational experience. For Jason success has been a journey through diversity, team collaboration, and a focus on doing what is right. An outdoor enthusiast that lives just north of Pittsburgh, PA on a farm with his wife, dogs, and horses.

Treasurer | Vice President of Finance Consulting at Winfosoft

Sienna Howlett-Wagner

Sienna is a Microsoft certified D365 F&SCM Finance Functional Consultant and Solution Architect, who spent 15+ years in end user accounting roles before moving to the consulting side. Her passion has always been in the non profit, education, and community support space, and in addition to working in several such organizations in an accounting role, she has guided other community based non profit startups and started her own small, local, animal rescue. 

In her current role at Winfosoft, she is bringing the culmination of her experience to help build a practice and grow a team with a culture of growth and inclusion. 

In her ‘spare’ time she cuddles with her foster animals, comes up with creative new garden ideas for her partner to build, and when lucky sits down with a good book. 

 

Board Member | Principal at Chambers Capital Ventures

Chris Chambers

Chris Chambers is a multidisciplinary executive, technologist, and business architect whose career spans advanced technologies, innovation, and organizational transformation across multiple industries. Beginning in 2013, Chris secured and delivered AI and data-driven pilots, including work with petroleum engineering, healthcare, and large-scale cloud and ERP ecosystems.

By 2016, Chris had become a sought-after business engineer, re-architecting multi-matrixed organizations into modern operating models and leading product strategy within the Architecture, Engineering & Construction sector. In 2018, he designed and deployed high-impact Cognitive, Enhanced, and Workflow Automation solutions across several major divisions in fintech and enterprise operations, cementing his reputation for building systems that unlock measurable efficiency, cross-functional alignment, and revenue performance.

Today, Chris is pursuing an Executive Doctor of Business Administration, researching cross-functional linguistics to deliver an LLM intervention, building decision models for AI startups, and advising AI strategy for some of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods and financial services companies as a member of the Forbes Business and Harvard Business Review advisory councils. As a board member of TechFluent Academy, he is committed to our mission: expanding equitable access to advanced technology careers and ensuring the next generation develops both the technical fluency and strategic thinking required to thrive in the era of AI.

Board Member | Chief Technology Officer of Parrita Group

Sheila Shahpari

Sheila Shahpari is a software engineer and Microsoft Business Applications MVP. She has served in many roles within the professional services industry starting her career as a programmer and software development consultant. Sheila also provides technical guidance and services to start-ups in the AI and business application space. She specializes in Enterprise Architecture, Delivery Leadership, Capability Development, CRM, Enterprise Search, AI, and Software Development.

Having worked with various cross-skilling and upskilling organizations, Sheila was particularly drawn to TechFluent because of its focus in the Low Code space. This approach lowers the barrier to entry compared to traditional coding, making it accessible for individuals who lack the time or resources to learn coding skills.

Sheila is eager to bring expertise as an enterprise architect, specializing in AI, business applications, and customer engagement solutions across the Power Platform and Azure stack. With experience working across both large corporations / nonprofits and small businesses Sheila is passionate about workforce development.

“Developing our communities on both a local and global scale is crucial, and I am thrilled to roll up my sleeves and contribute to this impactful work with all of you,” she shares.

In her spare time, she is active in numerous technical communities, and is involved with various nonprofits. In addition, she is an active runner and musician (though not at the same time), and is currently attempting the title of whiskey connoisseur.

Board Member | Founder & CEO of Item by Item Learning Platform

Elif Item

Elif Item has worked for over 17 years in Axapta, AX, and Dynamics 365 space as a learner, consultant, trainer, project manager, and consulting director before setting out to start Item by Item (IBI) Learning Platform. She is not only an expert in Microsoft Dynamics 365 but also an accomplished instructor in the classroom and online as well. She is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT), a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), a Certified Technical Trainer, and a Microsoft Certified Professional. She is known in the industry for her ability to understand the training needs of learners and organizations and provide appropriate expertise and training to get them ready to implement and use Microsoft Dynamics 365 effectively. Elif has founded the Item by Item (IBI) Learning Platform to provide the much needed and state-of-the-art online training tool to teach real “skills” to learners, measure and monitor their progress effectively, and get organizations ready for using Microsoft Dynamics 365 from day one.

Elif Item is also an integral part of various D365 user communities. She volunteers her time and resources to connect with other community members and make D365 space a welcoming and inclusive environment. She is involved in local D365 community events as well as national conferences and summits.

Outside of work, Elif enjoys travel, yoga, pastel painting, and spending time with her two kids, and her husband Cem.

Board Member | Technology Sales Senior Director - Business Applications at Microsoft

Brion Reusche

Brion is a Senior Director at Microsoft and over the course of 18 years, Brion has held numerous positions within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem at Microsoft, end users, and in the partner channel.

This breadth of experience and opportunity runs the gamut from support and project implementation through channel management, global go-to-market strategy, and leading teams. Having seen firsthand the dividends of tethering a career to business applications and the Microsoft ecosystem, Brion has a passion for connecting like-minded interests, and injecting talented people into the Dynamics ecosystem.

Brion, wife, and daughter live in Denver, Colorado where they enjoy cycling, skiing, and University of Denver hockey games. Committed to lifelong learning, Brion is an avid reader and is currently pursuing his EMBA at DU.

Our Professionals

Our Awesome Volunteer Team

Jessica Jolly

Cohort Co-Ambassador
"Data Quilter specializing in Microsoft Fabric"

Bobby Small

Cohort Co-Ambassador
"Microsoft MVP, Dynamics 365 Community, and Podcaster"

Meron Gebremedhin

Learner Ambassador
"Sr. System Engineer at Applied Innovative Technologies"

TBD

Trainer Manager

TBD

LSM Leader

TBD

Career Coach Manager

Seth T. Bacon

Mentor Manager
"Director of Innovation, Product and Strategy at RSM US"

TBD

IT Manager
"‍Senior CRM Project Lead at HCL"

Our Volunteers

Class of 2025 Volunteers

Advisors/Mentors

  • Tahani Abu-Shamala
  • Pam Acosta
  • Frederick Anaafi
  • Tasha Anspach
  • Jason Bell
  • Nico Botes
  • Nigel Cox
  • Silvio De Souza
  • Bibhas Dey
  • Danny Enright
  • Anna Falcon
  • Alex Foncannon
  • Gonzalo Garcia
  • Jackie Gant
  • Erin Lubben
  • David Mota
  • Sheila Shahpari
  • Bobby Small
  • Douglas Walker
  • Matt Whitby

Interviewers

  • Pam Acosta
  • Frederick Anaafi
  • Jason Bell
  • Waris Hashimi
  • Fatuma Hassen
  • Julie Jared
  • Meenakshi Singh
  • Bobby Small
  • Carol Smock
  • Matt Whitby

Learner Success Managers

  • Frederick Anaafi
  • Alex Foncannon
  • Mike Ford
  • Sudhanshu Gupta
  • Connor Ingram
  • Wilson Man
  • Dharra Prashaad
  • Brook Shiferaw
  • Depika Subedi
  • Yonas Terefe

Career Coaches

  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

Trainers & Trainer Assistants

  • Frederick Anaafi
  • David Bacon
  • Seth Bacon
  • Shane Bradley
  • Kevin Bronke
  • Justin Carter
  • Jeffrey DeMaria
  • Anna Falcon
  • Sheila Flikeid
  • Lenore Flower
  • Mike Ford
  • Julie Jared
  • Jessica Jolly
  • Andrea Lange
  • Sara Jo Larsen
  • Wilson Man
  • Daniel Meindertsma
  • Prachi Mishra
  • Jonathan Monson
  • Nia Murphy
  • Zaini Sharif-Mohamed
  • Carli Strathman
  • Sam Stern
  • Tad Thompson
  • TBD
  • Mahamed Umar, TA