“Wow! They let me back in!”

It is a privilege and an honor of being awarded Salesforce MVP for the 2nd time. Truly, a humbling experience.

It’s not like serving another term on a board or getting an extension on an assignment. It’s belonging to a force of change-makers whose purpose is to create an environment where everyone can thrive. I get to help people through the work I do. Being part of the Salesforce ecosystem makes it possible. 

Building a thriving Salesforce community in Arizona and the desert Southwest has been a beautiful experience. It has helped me get through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Connecting with people across the globe just as easily as connecting with a neighbor down the street is incredible. Knowing I can just as easily turn on my webcam and see someone smile from across the country, see a friendly face, jump on a call or send Slack messages across the internets to my fellow humans. 

The seemingly insurmountable obstacles I’ve faced throughout my life have created a deep appreciation for where I am today. Positive-sum moments where a challenge becomes an opportunity. 

I’ve spent my entire career working in technology and have never experienced tech in this way. People from all backgrounds, races, colors, creeds, origin, ability, gender, age, and orientation can celebrate their differences together around a software application to become, well, Ohana.

Organizing a community, bringing folks together, meeting new friends, learning new things, planning a happy hour - it brings me absolute joy. Yes, I am a busy body. Improving the lives of others, using my affinity for technology and love of Salesforce to solve problems is like being a kid in a candy shop. Seriously. Cliche? Maybe. Is this what it means to be a Salesforce MVP? For me, yes.