Community Spotlight is back, and we’re excited to shine the light on Areti Iles, Head of Professional Services for the AI Business Solutions Division at Telefonica Tech UK—and a powerful force for mentorship, advocacy, and community impact.
For Areti, community is about more than knowledge sharing—it’s about empowering others to grow, succeed, and transform how they see the world.
💙 A Passion for Community and Connection
Areti is an active and passionate member of the Microsoft ecosystem, where she deeply values the spirit of the MVP community.
“I love the fact that there is an MVP community. It’s great to be appreciated for the work anyone does, but I also love the chance to meet other people who are passionate about helping others and sustaining that community.”
That sense of shared purpose—connecting with others who are equally committed to giving back—is what makes the community so meaningful to her.
👩💻 Mentoring the Next Generation
A defining part of Areti’s community contribution is her dedication to mentoring, particularly through the Women in Power Platform group supported by Microsoft.
She works closely with women who are looking to expand their technical skills, exploring paths into more senior roles, and seeking guidance on tools, resources, and career development.
Areti helps mentees understand not just what they need to learn—but how to grow with confidence and clarity.
What began as individual mentoring has evolved into something far greater: a global network of mentors, where people show up to support one another—whether formally recognized or not.
As Areti puts it:
“There’s always people willing to mentor you and help you, even if they’re not officially mentors.”
🌍 Changing Perspectives, One Skill at a Time
For Areti, the most meaningful impact doesn’t come from frameworks or titles—it comes from transformation.
“I get to see people learn new skills and find new ways of doing things… I think that’s really the most you can hope for—to teach someone a new skill that really changes how they see things and how they see the world.”
🎥 In this episode, Areti shares:
- How she mentors women through the Women in Power Platform community
- Why teaching new skills can reshape perspectives
- How a global mentor network has grown organically over time
- Her approach to making technology work for people
- Why community is about more than recognition—it’s about impact
We’re proud to celebrate her contributions and the incredible impact she continues to make across the Power Platform community and beyond. 💟
View the other spotlight stars
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