From Uneasy Peace to Real Progress

Progress has never come easy. Every step forward—whether for Black Americans, women, or immigrants—has faced resistance. Power doesn’t let go quietly. We have made progress, but there still remains an ‘uneasy peace’. But the world is changing, and we’re being called to help it to continue to change. Our guest today, Vanessa Feliberti Bautista, Senior Corporate Vice President of Microsoft 365 Platform, knows this firsthand.

Her story is one of owning identity, navigating complexity, and opening doors for others in tech and beyond. As a woman of mixed Puerto Rican heritage, she’s faced the tension of not fitting neatly into any box. But instead of hiding her differences, she embraced them—and used them to lead.

From community colleges in underserved communities to corporate boardrooms, Vanessa has fought to make space for voices too often ignored. She’s had tough conversations, pushed through resistance, and helped transform teams into creative, inclusive powerhouses.

Today, she’s here to talk about what it really takes to move from the uneasy peace to lasting change—and how each of us plays a part in shaping the future.