Spotlight on Trailblazers Doing Good During Tough Times
We’re always amazed by our Trailblazers’ commitment to doing well and doing good. Especially during this unprecedented time, we’ve seen many Trailblazers step up to help others learn, connect, and stay healthy.
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In the best of times, our Trailblazers achieve amazing success in their careers, give back to the communities they love, and lift others up. We’re shining a light on these Trailblazers to say thank you and to encourage everyone to give them a big virtual hug.
Be inspired to use your own skills to help others as we combat this massive health and economic crisis together. Because #TrailblazersCare!
Helping Trailblazers (and future Trailblazers) learn
Gemma Blezard couldn’t simply stand by as she watched neighbors and friends post about losing their jobs.
In response, she decided to share the thing she knew could make a difference: her Salesforce knowledge.
Since discovering Salesforce in 2008, Gemma’s been on a learning quest, and it certainly shows in her 500+ Trailhead badges and 20 Salesforce Certifications. She’s also learned how to bring others along as she builds knowledge and experience, as thousands of Ladies Be Architects members will attest.
In early March, right as the crisis began to escalate in the U.K., Gemma put the word out that she planned to offer an intro to Salesforce learning series via weekly webinars. Hundreds responded and joined from near and far.
We’re excited to follow the stories of this group and welcome some new Trailblazers to the ecosystem! Hear Gemma’s story on the Trailblazer Talk Show.
Learn how you too can be a multiplier with Trailhead. Start a learning movement and empower anyone to skill up for the jobs of the future.
When Steve Molis shows up at a Salesforce event, the community flocks to meet this long-time #AwesomeAdmin and Salesforce MVP.
And not just because he’s sporting a shiny, one-of-a-kind, legendary jacket!
Steve has helped so many through his contributions to Answers on the Trailblazer Community.
As shelter-in-place began to proliferate around the world and our local Community Group leaders grappled with how to go virtual, Steve offered to join virtual Community Group meetings to share his expertise.
Throughout March and April, Steve has spent his evenings virtually traveling the world. He’s already joined 10+ meetings and shared his highly sought-after expertise with hundreds of Trailblazers, which helped them learn and feel connected.
Join groups to learn Salesforce with peers, build your network, give back, and find mentors.
Brian Owens started his new #AwesomeAdmin job mid-March, and he charmed us with his story on the Trailblazer Talk Show during his first week on the job.
Brian and his fiance had a pivotal conversation about their future in January.
Soon after, Brian decided to pursue a tech career and went all-in on learning Salesforce with Trailhead and networking with the Trailblazer Community. Like many new Trailblazers, he was amazed by the career opportunities and helpful community.
Brian is so eager to help others follow in his footsteps — he’s already co-hosting an 8-week admin certification study group and spreading the word about Salesforce to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, along with his mentor, Tiffany Spencer.
Join a study group, or create your own, to share your credentialing expertise.
Luke Kincaid and the Karibu Centre have a special place in our #Trailhearts.
The Karibu Centre offers pre-school, after-school programs, and job readiness training for underprivileged families in Kenya.
Karibu’s Organic Savanna is a social enterprise that offers skincare products and, most importantly, employs many local families. Many of you learned about the Karibu Centre during the Dreamforce ’18 #AwesomeAdmin Keynote when Alimali Stephen shared his story and received a Golden Hoodie.
We’re happy to share the Karibu team is using the Salesforce Platform to engage their entire community via text, so they’re able to keep the learning alive for their lil’ Trailblazers while they stay home. This is exactly the kind of creative leadership our world needs now.
And, of course, the Karibu team could use your help, Trailblazers! Reach out to learn more about virtual volunteer opportunities, or purchase Organic Savanna COVID Care Packages to support families in Kenya.
Discover how you too can use your knowledge and experience to give back and make a difference.
Helping Trailblazers connect
Connecting with each other is food for the soul for the Trailblazer Community. This global force for good loves to learn, connect, have fun, and give back together.
Amy Oplinger-Singh showed her action leadership with a simple, smart gesture.
As tons of virtual gatherings began to surface on social, Amy shared an open-source virtual gatherings list for hosts to add details about their open-invitation community gatherings.
Trailblazers around the world are able to come together for anything from learning (Lunch and Learn Lighting Web Components, anyone?) to fun chats (over coffee, tea, and happy hours galore). Big thanks to Amy for enabling all our Trailblazers and leaders!
Develop your leadership skills to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow.
Helping Trailblazers stay healthy
We’ve seen quite a few leaders step up to help others stay healthy — from looking out for equality and mental health to making masks, like Rachel Park.
Rachel is a Salesforce Consultant who has inspired many with her story.
Rachel transitioned from designer to #AwesomeAdmin, survived breast cancer, and fully embraced the Trailblazer Community. Now, she’s putting her skills to work to create beautiful, functional face masks and offers a “get one, give one” special that lets buyers protect themselves and others.
Each purchase also donates one to those on the COVID-19 frontline — including medical staff, essential workers, and cancer patients in active treatment.
She’s officially sold out twice now, so jump in line quickly for the next round!
Discover ways to boost the health and well being of you and your teammates.
Building brighter futures together
Amazing leaders like Selina Suarez and Stephanie Herrera (PepUP Tech), Hector Perez and Kate Perez (Merivis), Karene-Sean Hines (Pi-TaP), and Nitzan Pelman (Climb Hire) have dedicated their lives to helping people from diverse backgrounds upskill or reskill, get connected, and find amazing jobs in the Salesforce ecosystem.
Their programs are needed now more than ever, and they need the community’s support! Please check out these opportunities to donate and volunteer virtually. You can help:
- PepUP Tech skill up 1,500 displaced workers.
- Merivis transform military years into tech careers.
- Pi-TaPprovide essential tech and business training to teens and parents.
- Climb Hire’s Climbers with resume reviews and interview skills.
See more and share your #TrailblazersCare story
See more amazing stories and share your own with #TrailblazersCare on social! If each of us steps up, even a little, our global force for good can have an amazing, positive impact on the world.
