Microsoft MD NZ Vanessa Sorenson: From Caravan Parks to Top Of The Corporate Ladder

Most leaders don’t grow up in caravan parks before assuming a senior role at one of the world’s biggest tech companies. However, Vanessa Sorenson is no ordinary executive.  As Chief Partner Officer and Managing Director at Microsoft NZ, Vanessa has faced challenges head-on, rising above a turbulent childhood to become a fierce advocate for women in STEM and inclusivity in tech. So, what makes her a true mover and shaker? Gemma Acton sat down with this Game Changer to find out.

Finding strength in the struggle

“From the age of 12 or 13, I visualised a life for myself – with the house, the picket fence, the car, a decent job,” Vanessa reflects. That vision carried her through the toughest times – moving from town to town, going without basics like food and school shoes – and gave her the drive to seek out something better.

At just 17, Vanessa bought a one-way ticket back to New Zealand to reunite with her father, a move she credits as the true catalyst for her career. “I knocked on my dad’s door and said, ‘Hi, I’m your daughter.’ He was shocked! I’d called him a few months before and said I was coming, and thankfully he said yes. I’ve never wondered what would’ve happened if he’d said no. That moment truly spring boarded my career and how I landed where I am today.”

Facing the Imposter Monster

“I’d always been a worker,” says Vanessa. “My first job was in a bakery at 13. I had to pay for myself to go to school. So, when I showed up on my dad’s doorstep, I think it took him a week before he said, ‘You’re so annoying – you need a job!

“His next-door neighbour had started a tech startup and needed a receptionist. So I got a ‘day-by-day’ gig. That’s where I found my people. Tech was in its infancy 35 years ago. I remember asking for a holiday to Fiji, and the boss said, ‘No – buy Microsoft shares instead.’ (Who’s the silly one now?) I started answering phones, then asked if I could cold-call. I liked selling! That kick-started everything.”

But the road wasn’t without its hurdles. Entering the tech industry without a university degree or the “right” networks left Vanessa battling the infamous “imposter monster.”

“Entering tech 35 years ago, I would never have fit into Microsoft or IBM,” she said. “You needed a university degree or MBA. I didn’t have either. I went to nine different schools and left school at 16. So I’ve always had that ‘What if they find out?’ feeling. For years, I wouldn’t lead with my story. I worried people would think I wasn’t smart enough. And I don’t think this is just a female thing, but it’s definitely amplified when you’ve grown up the way I did.”

Learning to quiet that inner critic took years. And plenty of encouragement from her husband, her mentors, and inspirational female leaders she met along the way.

Empowering women and leading change

Today, as a senior leader, Vanessa is determined to lift others as she climbs. She launched Microsoft’s 10K Women program, offering free training and networking opportunities to help more women break into tech.

“One of the things I’m proudest of is our 10K Women program,” Vanessa said. “We created it to provide free training, networking, and confidence-building tools – so women can feel like they belong and can go for that role. People always say, ‘Just be more confident!’ But it doesn’t work like that. I’m not going to stand at an event with a drink hoping someone talks to me. We need pathways – like certificates that help HR take notice. We’re even tracking how many women have landed tech jobs from the program. It’s still not enough, but rising tides lift all boats.”

Her leadership style – rooted in empathy, trust, and bold feedback – sets the tone for a more inclusive tech world.

“Trust and empathy,” said Vanessa. “I’d never ask my team to do something I wouldn’t do. But, coaching is essential too. A lot of leaders avoid feedback, but humans crave it – if it’s from the heart. I hope I help my team grow by giving them the feedback they need. Not just what they want to hear. We’ve all got 9 or 10 hours in a day – so use it well. Be bold. Have a development plan. And seek leaders who help you become better.”

Vanessa also highlights the importance of partnerships, like Microsoft’s collaboration with Logicalis. Winning Azure Partner of the Year in 2024 was no small feat – and symbolises their shared commitment to real transformation.

“Logicalis is a great cultural fit. Amazing people. And in 2024, they became our Azure Partner of the Year, which is extraordinary. It’s not easy to achieve that. They’ve been instrumental in our push into education – so many wins with universities. But what I really love is their approach. They focus on helping people understand the opportunity because if you don’t have that teacher or role model, we lose people before they even get to university.”

From helping universities like Western Sydney University move to the cloud to working with schools like Trinity Grammar, Vanessa sees the bigger picture.

“Always takes some conviction. But that’s where design thinking and collaboration come in. Logicalis, Microsoft, and the client – three legs of the same stool. We worked together to ensure it was successful. And Logicalis is great at checking in afterward: ‘Did we all do what we said we’d do?’ Moving to the cloud, securing systems – it’s all critical. But what’s coming next, with AI, is where the real opportunity lies. Companies need to lean into it. If you say, ‘We’ll look at it next year,’ you’ll be left behind.”

A message to women in tech

To women wondering if they belong in tech, Vanessa’s message is clear. “Number one – you are. I’m not your typical techie, and today’s female leaders are more tech-savvy than I’ll ever be. Everyone has a phone – you’re already technical. My daughter once said, ‘Mum, tech sounds boring.’ But it’s not. It’s about solving problems, creating change, working on sustainability, and skilling. It’s exciting.”

Despite her high-energy approach, Vanessa has also learned the value of slowing down. Whether it’s walking barefoot on the beach or simply breathing deeply, she prioritises self-care to stay grounded.

“I’m definitely an Energizer bunny, but I’ve learned to manage stress. Not perfectly, but I try. Like they say on planes – put your own oxygen mask on first. Self-care is critical. If I don’t do it, I can’t lead with energy. For me, it’s as simple as walking barefoot on the beach – feeling the earth. That grounds me.”

Vanessa’s final word’s of wisdom? “Have fun. Smile. Be optimistic. Bring energy. I love that song – ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again.’ It hasn’t been smooth sailing. I’ve been fired. I’ve been pulled down. And, I’ve had people not support me. But I’ve always leaned into the people who could help. Find your tribe. That’s the key. Self-help first. Because the world isn’t slowing down.”

 Watch Vanessa Sorenson share more about her journey as a Game Changer, here.