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Stories Asia
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Diversity and Inclusion

People of Microsoft Asia

Our mission is deeply inclusive: empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We play an active role in creating inclusive environments where people of diverse backgrounds are excited to bring all of who they are and do their best work. We reach out, connect with, and help build diverse communities. Here are some of our stories:

A man smiling

Tareq Mandou: Faith, fresh starts and the importance of difficult conversations

Dubai-born Tareq Mandou discovered he had another side after he moved to Australia and became an advocate for inclusion inside and outside of Microsoft. He is achieving real-world impact by raising awareness among his non-Muslim colleagues and managers. Read his story here.

Woman smiling

Hui Cheng Tan: “If I’m comfortable, I’m not growing”

Growing up in a modest family in Singapore in the 1980s, Hui Cheng Tan never imagined she would one day become a business leader at one of the world’s largest technology companies. In fact, she never imagined she would end up in tech at all. Read her story here

A woman does yoga

Gebi Liang: Flexibility, balance and the art of reinvention

She originally studied to be an English teacher. But things changed and so did her plans. She rethought her future and jumped into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Now she holds an important leadership role in Microsoft China, where she encourages women to break out and strive for more. Read her story here.

A woman sits with two toddlers

Kelly McKenzie: “Be a supporter, not a fixer”

After her twins were born prematurely she devoted the next 19 months nurturing them back to health. When they started to thrive she decided it was time to return to the workplace. How did she do it after such a long break and so much personal upheaval? Read her story.

Rachel Bondi: Learning how to bring your whole self to work

Profound hearing loss affects Rachel’s life in many ways, though others might never know. Like 90 % of Australians with a disability, Rachel’s condition is ‘invisible’. And like many others, she once tried to keep it that way. But that changed over time as she overcame a major setback and built an impressive career as a leader. Read her story here.

Juliana Cen: A parent’s journey starts with the empathy and allyship of others

For years, Juliana avoided telling her colleagues that her twin sons had a disability. But when she finally opened up, she found her manager and colleagues to be empathic and encouraging. Their continuing allyship and a culture of inclusion are helping her better address her children’s needs. Read her story here.

Kenny Singh: Building strength and powering through

Kenny Singh is a powerlifter – not just in his day job where he helps protect the data and privacy of millions of Australians, but also in his suburban garage where he’s just deadlifted 170 kilograms. At first, Singh seems like a mild-mannered character. But chat with him for a while about his life, and it becomes clear that he’s very much into achieving and winning. Much of what drives him has to do with loss. After his fading eyesight ended his dreams of being a doctor, Kenny Singh embraced the tech world. Read how he is now a champion for accessibility. 

Alistair Stratford: From Her Majesty’s Navy to the tech world

Alistair wanted to see the world and as a young man enlisted in Britain’s Royal Navy. During his years in uniform, Alistair became accustomed to doing things strictly by the book and living a regimented life. But things changed when he became a civilian. He switched careers and moved to a new country. He adopted a growth mindset and found that many of the skills he acquired in the service have been surprisingly useful in a corporate environment. Read his story of reinvention.

Dan Te Whenua Walker: Walking in two worlds

At just 40, Dan holds two master’s degrees, serves on multiple boards and charitable trusts, and is now a rising star within Microsoft New Zealand. He is a 21st-century achiever. But for him, the starting point of his personal journey dates back 600 years ago when his ancestors made a legendary ocean voyage. Read how he is tapping his Māori heritage and values in life and business.

Rohini Srivasthi: Technical curiosity with a philosophical bent

Rohini was a sixth-grader when she saw a computer for the first time. “I was little, and it was big,” she recalls. “It was programmed using old-style punch cards. It was nothing like the PCs of today, but I was fascinated.” Now as National Technology Officer at Microsoft India, she is on a mission to empower a new generation for the digital age. Read our interview.

More stories of diversity and inclusion

A Chinese lion danceLion dancing goes virtual in the Year of the Ox Read more.

A woman smilingBridging India’s cybersecurity gender gap Read more.

mother and young daughter reading a picture bookSeeing AI’s first year in Japan: Changing everyday lives Read more.

A man kneels and another man sits in a wheelchairSeven winning solutions to empower people with disabilities Read more.

New life for old office PCs so more students can learn at home Read more.

Increasing employability for people with disabilities in Asia Pacific Find out how.

Empowered seniors stay connected with technology’s help Read more.

In India, a school is going virtual in the village Find out more.

Seven ways to be more inclusive of people with disabilities Read more

Diversity and cybercrime: solving puzzles, stopping bad guys Read more

saqib shaikh

Creating an AI future with possibilities for all Find out how

A non-profit empowers marginalized communities in rural India Read on

Changing the lives of children with learning disabilities Read more

Grab for Good_Indonesia

Upskilling and closing the digital literacy gap in Indonesia Find out how

Video: How to talk tech in te reo Māori, the language of Aotearoa New Zealand

Video: Inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM