Leila Etaati was a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in AI and Data Platform, a Power BI All Star, a book author, a conference speaker, and a mentor for many aspiring MVPs and community members. She passed away in December 2023, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and kindness.
Leila's impact on the community
Leila Etaati was a person who nurtured the community to be like herself. She mentored members from the community to become community leaders and meetup organizers, SQL Saturday organizers and MVPs. She led by example and everyone loved and enjoyed working with her.
Leila’s husband, Reza Rad, who is also an MVP and a Microsoft Regional Director, shares with us some of his memories and thoughts about Leila, who was not only his partner in life, but also in work and community. Leila and Reza founded RADACAD, a consulting and training company that specializes in Power BI, AI, and Azure.
Leila's achievements as a community leader
Reza told us that he was proud of Leila in many situations, when she received the dual MVP award of AI and Data Platform, when she won the Power BI All Star award of the year, when she led a group of AI MVPs to write a book and donate the income to charity. Reza also recalled how she took the stage at the most premier conferences in the world and shared her expertise with thousands of attendees.
"I remember her Microsoft Ignite sessions were always fully packed with people standing and seating on the ground. There were many moments like this that I was proud of how selfless and a great leader she was," says Reza.
Leila was also passionate about empowering women in technology, and she was a speaker and organizer of many events that aimed to inspire and support women in the field. She was a role model for many young girls and women who wanted to pursue a career in data and AI.
Leila's legacy and the Power BI and Fabric Summit 2024
Leila's legacy lives on through her work, her books, her blog posts, her videos, and her impact on the community. She was a visionary who always looked for new ways to innovate and create value with data and AI. She was also a driving force behind the Power BI and Fabric Summit 2024, a fully virtual event that will happen from February 12th to 16th.
The Power BI and Fabric Summit 2024 will feature 147 sessions presented by 143 speakers, covering everything in the Power BI and Microsoft Fabric space. The presenters are from Microsoft, MVPs, Regional Directors, Fast Track Solution Architects, and industry experts.
Reza invites everyone to join the summit and celebrate Leila's vision and contribution to the community. You can register for the Power BI and Fabric Summit 2024 where all Power BI topics will be covered, from beginner to advanced. Sessions and discussions will cover Power Query, DAX, Dataflow, Visualization, Power BI Desktop, Power BI report server, Mobile experience, Embedded, Power BI Premium, Architecture, and Governance.
If you're interested in learning more, there are several free resources available to help you get started. Microsoft provides a list of documentation about Microsoft Fabric, which you can access here. Additionally, Reza recommends Power BI documentation as a great place to learn all about Power BI. Finally, if you're interested in AI, Microsoft also has an AI learning hub.
We at Microsoft are deeply saddened by the loss of Leila Etaati, and we extend our condolences to Reza and his family. We are grateful for her dedication, her passion, and her generosity. Leila will be missed and remembered by many.