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Sharon Grimshaw
Program Manager at Microsoft
Professional Background
Sharon Grimshaw is an accomplished program manager specializing in engineering and human-centered design. With a robust career at Microsoft, Sharon has developed and led numerous impactful projects, showcasing her ability to marry technical expertise with a user-focused approach that derives from her academic accomplishments. As a Program Manager, she collaborates with cross-functional teams to drive project objectives aligned with business goals, ensuring that software products are not only innovative but also meet the real-world needs of users. This important work positions her at the forefront of technology development, advancing Microsoft’s commitment to excellence in engineering solutions.
Previously, Sharon honed her skills in software development and product management as a Research Assistant at the renowned Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. In this role, she engaged in hands-on research that complemented her academic pursuits and allowed her to contribute meaningfully to engineering projects that emphasize human-centric design principles. Sharon's foundation at Olin College laid the groundwork for her analytical and problem-solving abilities, which are essential in her current role at Microsoft.
In addition to her experiences at Olin College, Sharon spent a pivotal period as an Applications Engineering Intern at Alstom Power. Here, she acquired a directly applicable skill set in applications engineering and cemented her capabilities in providing technical support and solutions in a high-tech environment. Her internship experience provided her insights into the energy sector, equipping her with a diverse understanding of engineering applications across industries, and further enhancing her professional profile.
Education and Achievements
Sharon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering with a specialization in Human-Centered Design from Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. This institution is renowned for its innovative approach to engineering education, and Sharon took full advantage of the opportunities available to her. The rigorous curriculum at Olin emphasizes creativity, practical problem-solving, and collaboration, which are all hallmarks of Sharon’s work style today.
Her educational background is enhanced by her project experiences, coursework, and research activities that focused on the intersection of technology and user experience. This has allowed her to adopt a holistic view of engineering solutions, prioritizing user needs while ensuring technical feasibility—skills that are essential in her programming and product management roles at Microsoft.
Notable Achievements
Throughout her professional journey, Sharon has achieved several milestones that underscore her commitment to engineering and user design. At Microsoft, she has successfully led noteworthy projects that have made significant contributions to the company’s product offerings, driving innovation while emphasizing user experience. Her visionary approach not only fosters collaboration but also inspires team members to pursue excellence in their contributions.
Her time spent in various roles within Microsoft has further amplified her expertise in program management. Sharon's ability to navigate complex project requirements and ensure stakeholder alignment has positioned her as a valuable asset to her teams. She remains dedicated to continuous learning and professional development, regularly seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow in her field.
As an active participant in industry discussions and forums related to engineering and human-centered design, Sharon keeps her finger on the pulse of technological advancements and best practices. Her passion for integrating user experience with engineering principals reflects her commitment to not only advancing her career but also fostering a culture of innovation and responsiveness within her organization.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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