Introducing: Sarah Marshall, Microsoft, Sr. Director, Public Affairs Describe the business/organization you work for: Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. The company's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. I sit within the Public Affairs team in our Corporate and Legal Affairs department where my role is to lead the company's communications around a $4B USD initiative to provide AI tools and skilling to global education and nonprofit organizations for Microsoft Elevate. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? Very few companies can say they've shaped the technology sector for fifty years—Microsoft marked its half-century milestone in 2025. The company began with a vision to have a personal computer on every desk and now focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to drive global economic growth and opportunity. Microsoft’s decades of influence highlight the importance of working together to ensure technology is used responsibly. With AI, we know it's vital that people are given the skills necessary to use it safely and to their advantage. Share something you love about Idaho, or a specific community you serve, or any special projects you would like to share with our followers, or even something specific you love or want to share about the company you represent. We moved to Idaho nearly 14 years ago to grow our business and raise our boys. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else! I’ve been privileged to work in this beautiful state, while also representing a multinational organization, and I believe that perspective has been valuable to both my employer and me personally. At Microsoft, I’m proud that we’re teaming up with organizations like Future Farmers of America, 4-H, the American Teachers Federation, and the National Education Association to introduce technology into classrooms across all 50 states. I believe children need exposure to opportunities to imagine themselves achieving them, and these programs play a significant role in broadening their horizons. What inspired you to join the ITC? The tech scene in Idaho is growing and has so much to offer. I’m inspired and incredibly grateful to join ITC to support the innovators, organizations and policy positions that will ensure Idaho remains a great state for generations to come. What are you looking forward to the most about serving as a board member of the ITC? I’m most excited to learn firsthand about the issues that matter to local business leaders, start-ups, and innovators who drive our state’s economic growth. Supporting a healthy, thriving business environment in Idaho is a shared goal, and I value the opportunity to learn from such an impressive and talented group of individuals on the board. Their diverse experiences and perspectives will be invaluable as we work together to strengthen our community and champion the interests of businesses across Idaho. What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network? Who has free time! My husband and I are typically busy with kids’ sports, but we also cherish the time and know it won’t last forever. Our family loves the outdoors and if we aren’t in a gym or field somewhere watching our kids compete, we’re typically on the mountain skiing, or you can find the boys golfing or in a river fishing. Aren’t we all so lucky to live here! About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn HERE Check out Microsoft HERE

Introducing: Taylor Kaufman, Account Executive, Nile Describe the business/organization you work for: Nile is a next generation wired and wireless LAN that instantly prevents ransomware attacks, continuously monitors and tunes its performance, and automates management. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? Founded by former Cisco CEO John Chambers and Chief Development Officer Pankaj Patel, Nile's industry experience is unmatched and learning from leaders like them is what made me choose Nile. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? Nile's takes a wholly unique approach to addressing network complexity, cybersecurity, and financial burdens. Through cloud native, AI orchestrated provisioning and built-in security functions, Nile eliminates bolt-on tools and provides the functionality of a next generation LAN; without the headache of refresh cycles. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? The industry we work in is inherently risky. Technology changes daily and people structures are changing more frequently than ever. These changes have affected my career trajectory from a focus on professional services to technology products. I've learned that knowledge determines your approach but effort and attitude determine your results. I learned not to be afraid to try something new and fail; as long as you get back up and keep trying. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Be yourself and let your passion show. We're all humans working in an, increasingly inhuman, industry. People gravitate towards those who are authentic, kind, and supportive. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn HERE Check out Nile HERE

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Introducing: Kurt Temple, Client Director, Technologent Describe the business/organization you work for: Technologent is a women-owned, WBENC-certified and global provider of Information Technology solutions and services for Fortune 1000 companies. With our internationally recognized technical and sales team and well-established partnerships between the most cutting-edge technology brands, Technologent powers your business through a combination of foundational IT disciplines: Data, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud and Security. Together with Professional Services, Financial Services, Service Provider Solutions and our people, we’re paving the way for your business operations with advanced problem-solving that isn't just reactive, but forward-thinking and future-proof. Technologent is the premier global edge-to-edge IT services company that delivers agile solutions for accelerating digital transformation. We bring inspiration and innovation to every organization. What inspired you to start your own business, or why did you decide to work for this specific organization? I had the opportunity to work closely with Technologent when I covered a global entertainment and gaming company in Las Vegas while I was at Cisco. Technologent's expertise across architectures is unparalleled. The company always fulfilled the business outcomes the customer was looking for with speed and agility - a true partner that is committed to serving its customers. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? At Technologent, we place your specific business requirements and desired results at the center of each solution. Our primary goal is to simplify technology and focus on a solution, not just a product. With our proven methodology, best-of-breed tools and extensive product certifications, we help you and your IT organization architect, integrate and maintain a secure high-performance business infrastructure. The goal of every Technologent employee is to provide solutions that solve our customers’ biggest, most important technology issues. What challenges have you faced as a business owner or employee, and how did you overcome them? Working for large organizations at times can be challenging. As a sales professional, you strive to keep your customer's best interest and strategic vision top of mind. Often times, you have to be the voice of the customer and advocate for them internally to ensure the company stays aligned to your customer's goals. In order to accomplish this I have had to learn how to effectively manage up in each organization - thinking outside the box and effectively communicating with executives to ensure my customer's needs are met. What advice would you give to someone looking to join your industry? Trust the process and always be willing to learn in this fast-paced and everchanging industry. Find a mentor. Always be the voice of your customer and listen to their needs. Deliver on what you say you will do. About the Idaho Technology Council The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is a member-based organization that champions innovation and collaboration to grow Idaho’s economy through technology. Representing a dynamic and growing community of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, ITC connects vision with action to position Idaho as a hub for i nnovation and opportunity. Learn more at www.idahotechcouncil.org . Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn HERE Check out Technologent HERE