When Kevin Espirito was hired by Microsoft as an FTE, an early conversation with his manager explaining the importance of Microsoft’s Giving Campaign changed his life. While working his day job in the OEM and Partners Groups he never hesitated to raise his hand to volunteer for the campaign, to become a VPAL, to be a Loaned Executive, and finally to move to the Community Affairs Team and head the employee Giving Campaign at what would be one of the most difficult times of the company’s history.
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As Microsoft’s Senior Director of Community Affairs, Akhtar Badshah helped transform the company’s approach to philanthropy. Akhtar championed programs like Dollars for Doers and the Employee Giving Campaign, empowering employees to support causes they care about through both donations and volunteerism. His leadership unified disparate efforts into a global movement, fostering a culture where empathy and innovation go hand in hand. Akhtar’s vision reframed giving at Microsoft—not just as writing checks, but as showing up in communities and leveraging technology for real impact. Today, he helps others to have a “purpose mindset” and continues to change the world.
Photo courtesy of Akhtar Badshah
