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Meet Michelle Pudas, a 10-year veteran at RedCloud, currently an integral part of Microsoft's Security GTM team, juggling diverse responsibilities that include supporting solution play leads, managing core asset development for Microsoft's field sellers, and contributing to essential Microsoft security events. Beyond the thrilling projects, Michelle is proud of her work creating success for her clients at Microsoft, cherishing the connections she's fostered and the wealth of knowledge gained. Balancing work and personal life, she dedicates focused time each day and prioritizes activities like exercise.
Read on to learn more about Michelle and her invaluable contributions to RedCloud and our clients.
Describe your role and what you do in a nutshell.
I am currently supporting three solution play leads on the Security GTM team at Microsoft. I primarily project manage the development of core assets for the Microsoft field sellers that help them drive Microsoft’s security business with their customers. I am also responsible for managing monthly community calls with GTM managers worldwide and supporting the team’s efforts around key Microsoft security events like Ignite and Microsoft Secure.
What do you enjoy most or find especially interesting about your current project?
The people, for sure! Aside from the amazing people I work with on my immediate team, I love that I get to work with such a wide variety of people from various groups around Microsoft. From product marketing managers for some of Microsoft’s most strategic security products to GTM managers worldwide who bring their different perspectives from around the world and the various people who manage and run all the programs for the solution plays and the field teams that ultimately drive the business. I have met some amazing, hard-working people, and they really make going to work each day enjoyable!
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am proud of the longevity I have had supporting our clients at Microsoft and the connections I have made along the way. I was an FTE at Microsoft for almost 20 years and have now been consulting at Microsoft for 14 years. I have met so many great people, have worked in so many different areas of Microsoft, and have learned so much. In my consulting roles now, I often help new Microsoft employees navigate the ins and outs of the company and help them get up to speed faster.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in your role?
I set time on my calendar each day for ‘focus time’. This is a time when I don’t take meetings. I use this time to get stuff done. So much time at Microsoft can be spent in meetings, making it hard to get the actual work done. This really helps keep me on track to complete tasks. I also block out time on my calendar for exercise or other personal time as needed. This all helps me keep a good balance between work and personal life.
Tell us about something interesting you've learned recently.
During the holidays, I discovered the design software Canva, and I used it to help create “experience gifts” and “gift certificates” for holiday gifts. I like being creative, but I’m not very artistic. This is the perfect tool for that. My family was very impressed 😉
What is something memorable you've accomplished as part of a team?
Corporate events are always memorable. A long time ago, I worked with an amazing group of people to put together an offsite event for our team. We had many late nights and last-minute printing of hundreds of PowerPoint slides (we used to do that back in the day), and it seemed like we would never get it all done, but we did, and it turned out great! There was a lot of stress, but it was a great feeling of accomplishment when it was done.
If you could suggest a book for the entire RC team to read, what would it be and why?
Boys in the Boat. This is a story about hard work and the competitive spirit. I think that can appeal to a lot of different types of people and interests. Read the book before you see the movie 😊
What's a piece of obsolete technology you still have a soft spot for?
Microsoft ActiMates! I love those things (and I still have all of them – Barney, Arther, DW, and the Teletubbies). Microsoft released these in the late 90’s and when my kids were little in the early 2000’s, they played with them and loved them. I was fortunate enough to work in the retail organization at Microsoft when these were released and was able to attend Toy Fair in New York to meet with retailers and show them all the cool things these guys could do! It was incredible technology at the time and a unique and memorable experience for me in my career.
What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to discover?
Maybe the above 😊 or that I was on the TV show ‘Romper-Room’ when I was 5 years old.
What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading?
I haven’t had much time for binge-watching, but when I do have time, I’d like to finish watching Ted Lasso. I’m currently planning a trip for our family to Europe in May after my daughter graduates from college, so I’m reading a lot about Europe right now.