Women and Allies in Tech (WA-IT!) at Veeam 100 Summit

Hey Group!

I promised myself weeks ago that I would write a recap of the Veeam 100 Summit, but those who know me know that I suffer from a severe form of procrastination.

This was my third time attending, and although I participate in many Veeam events, the Veeam 100 Summit is always something special, full of energy, networking, learning, and meaningful moments.

For those who do not know, the Veeam 100 Summit is the meeting of Veeam Vanguards, Legends, and some Veeam User Group Leaders + MVP (internal Veeamers members). They meet once per year with the Product Team to receive first-hand news and updates. At the same time, the Product Team has the opportunity to gather honest and professional feedback from this trusted group of experts.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome reception hosted by Wasabi and Object First, which was the perfect opportunity to connect and reconnect with peers and set the tone for the rest of the event. I of course could take the traditional picture with my favorite Italianzzz

And what a nice surprise to see ​@jos.maliepaard wearing the Veeam University PRO T-shirt 😁

The following two days were packed with sessions and news. Attendees receive first-hand information, and many sessions are marked as “red,” meaning they cannot be shared publicly, underlining the trust Veeam places in this group. Participants got exclusive updates on Veeam Data Platform v13, VRO, VDC, Kasten, and Veeam Software Appliance. A major highlight was the announcement that Veeam acquired Securiti AI, which truly stole the spotlight, in my opinion.

I was also especially happy to have the opportunity and privilege to present an exclusive preview of the new Veeam University Pro project on one of the stages and receive direct feedback from members, many of whom will play a key role in the certification project that we will launch in 2026.

Tradition says there must be the Dalrymple Toast, named after Craig Dalrymple, who started it. Even though Craig was not there this year, the toast continued and was an especially moving moment as we also honored Brad Jervis, a beloved community member. The introduction of the Brad Jervis Memorial Award was a beautiful way to celebrate his legacy.❤

One of the most anticipated moments was the traditional AMA (Ask Me Anything) session. I love this session. All the Product Managers sit on stage and answer every question transparently. Believe me, the questions are direct and unfiltered, and the answers are honest and open, giving a real sense of the cooperation and trust that exists on both sides of the stage.

The Power of Community

Until now, this was a summary of the sessions and the event, but the Veeam Community Summit is not just another event. Beyond the sessions, what truly stands out is the synergy behind the scenes. You can feel the collaboration, the growth of friendships, and the passion as people network with peers, experts, and Veeam enthusiasts. These connections are genuine, and they are not just limited to the event: you know that from any corner of the world, someone will be ready to jump in and support with their knowledge. And also Veeam people are also truly part of this network, not just product management but also MVPs, who are full members of the Community.

Women and Allies in Tech (WA-IT!) Representation

What was really important for me this year, and made me very proud, was the female representation, both on stage and in the public. Those who know me know that I have the goal of changing the face of the industry (yes, I like easy challenges! 😅). This year, thanks to the WA-IT! community project, we had the opportunity to have the three VUG leaders joining, and they blended into the community perfectly. The way ​@jess.may , ​@leaha , and ​@kira.bezhanova stepped in as ambassadors was inspiring. They weren’t just hosts, they became an integral part of the event, proving that change starts with small steps. Kira’s presence was especially appreciated; just a few weeks before, she had an accident and came to the event with a broken leg driving a fun scooter. Anyone else would have stayed home, but not this fantastic human being 💚! That level of commitment speaks volumes.

I was impressed by how quickly they made themselves at home and how warmly they were welcomed. We had time to spend together, and Kira and Leaha also agreed to interviews, so we could give great visibility to their participation.

You can see a teaser of the interview HERE

See? It’s not that difficult, is it? I feel we are ready for more. I feel we are doing something meaningful for ourselves and for those who will come after us. Leaha, Kira, and Jess are three wonderful examples of women in IT who, thanks to allies, can contribute, grow themselves and become an integral part of not just the Veeam community but the entire IT world.

Thanks once again to ​@Madi.Cristil ​@safiya and ​@NikolaPejkova  for making this possible.

See you next year! And in the meantime, see you here in the WA-IT! group of the community!