Four years ago, I was invited to join the VMware vChampions program, an invite-only advocacy group consisting of VMware’s top partners and service providers in the ANZ region. As a member of this program, I have had the opportunity to develop friendships with some of my closest friends, attend various events and conferences, and gain valuable insights into VMware technologies.

One of the highlights of my time as a vChampion was attending my first VMworld in 2012, where I had the opportunity to meet VMware executives and be part of an Executive Brief at the VMware campus. The following year, I was able to work towards landing a dream role at Zettagrid and establish further friendships within the community.

Throughout my time as a vChampion, I have been impressed by the caliber of guest speakers that the program has secured, including Sanjay Poonen and Kit Colbert. The group has also been given insider NDA access and product roadmaps, allowing us to be equipped with knowledge and updates to advocate for VMware technologies within our respective companies and communities.

I am grateful for the opportunities that this program has provided me, and I would like to thank Katrina Jones, Anthony Segren, John Donovan, Rhody Burton, and Eugene Geaher for their involvement in making this program possible. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge Grant Orchard and Greg Mulholland for their support as the vChampion Champions within VMware.

As I prepare to leave the program due to my new role at Veeam, I am filled with a sense of appreciation for the value that this program has added to my career. I am confident that the program will continue to deliver valuable experiences and insights to its members, and I wish the program all the best in its future endeavors.