Join us as we dive into the journey of Mark Jones, a Salesforce admin with a profound dedication to nonprofit organizations. Mark's evolution from a passionate nonprofit worker to an acclaimed 10-time certified Salesforce professional is nothing short of remarkable. He embodies the essence of community and philanthropy, leading by example through initiatives like his local user group and the founding of Automation Dreamin'. His insightful narrative promises to shine a light on the unique challenges and triumphs of navigating the Salesforce ecosystem within the nonprofit realm.

As we chat with Mark, his experiences bring to life the 'ohana' spirit of the Salesforce community, emphasizing the importance of hands-on learning and the power of connection. This episode serves as a testament to the idea that the Salesforce ecosystem is far more than a collection of professionals—it's a tight-knit family that champions ongoing education and mutual upliftment.

Mark is a 10x Certified Salesforce Professional working as a Salesforce Consultant for Time Technology. Mark is the leader of the Newcastle upon Tyne Salesforce User Group and speaks regularly at various community events and conferences. An avid lover of Process Automation, specifically Flow, Mark is also one of the founders of Automation Dreamin’, a Trailblazer Community Conference focused on all things Process Automation. Mark also runs two Salesforce blogs, the Ragamuffin Admin and the Flow Architect.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisismarkjones/

Embark on an empowering exploration of diversity recruitment in tech with guest Rochelle Rawls from Salesforce, guiding us through the labyrinth of breaking into the Salesforce ecosystem. Our discussion illuminates Salesforce's unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion, setting ambitious targets and cultivating an environment where every individual can thrive, while also equipping aspiring Salesforce admins with actionable strategies to stand out in a competitive market.

Navigating the tech industry's competitive landscape requires more than just qualifications; it demands savvy networking and a resilient personal brand. This episode lays out the roadmap for building professional relationships that open doors to Salesforce opportunities and discusses the balance between certification and practical experience. We delve into the interplay of technical expertise and customer service acumen necessary at Salesforce. We debate the merits of certifications versus on-the-ground experience and discuss how working as an admin and learning through Trailhead can prepare candidates with diverse backgrounds for roles within the ecosystem. Through profound conversations and shared experiences, this episode not only educates but also inspires, driving home the significance of diversity and the power of professional community engagement.

To register for the upcoming Salesforce North Dallas Meet-Up at Salesforce Tower, please register here: https://www.meetup.com/salesforce-of-north-dallas/events/299265710/

To register for WeDreamin, the first Salesforce community conference in North Dallas, please register here: https://wedreamin.org/registration/

Rochelle brings to the table a distinguished five-year career in the recruitment domain, marked by a notable transition into technology recruitment two years ago. This strategic move was a turning point in her professional trajectory, culminating in her attainment of a coveted position within Salesforce's Diversity Talent Attraction Team.

Her unwavering dedication to identifying and securing top-tier talent is paralleled by a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which serves as a cornerstone in propelling her efforts to support others. Rochelle specializes in recruiting for diverse roles within the Customer Success division. She also serves as the Dallas Events and VTO Chair for the Salesforce Women's Network, and is actively involved in Boldforce and Black Women Experience, Business Resource Groups at Salesforce. Rochelle actively engages in local networking groups and conferences, assuming the role of an ambassador for Salesforce. She represents the company with distinction at events such as Dreamin' in Color, We Dreamin', Latinas in Tech, and AfroTech.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Rochelle finds time to give back to her community through volunteer work. Additionally, she pursues personal interests by exploring new travel destinations and spending time with her friends and family.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rothedeipro/

Join us this week as we sit down with Adam Erstelle to dive into his journey from web developer to Salesforce Technical Architect. From his early days in telecommunications to his emergence as a Dreamforce speaker on using code and APEX to make marketers work easier, Adam's story is one you won't want to miss. This episode is your guide through the adventures of a neighbor's broken script that launched Adam into a thriving career, alongside my own evolution from seeing code as a barrier to wielding it as a tool for innovation.

We share practical tips and examples, equipping you with the knowledge to duve into the world of App Development and break into the Salesforce AppExchange. This episode isn't just about app development; it's an exploration of how to build trust and functionality into every aspect of your Salesforce application. Join in as we contemplate the escalating role of AI in the developer space, affirming that a human touch remains irreplaceable. This episode is packed with compelling stories, practical advice, and a celebration of the Salesforce community's role in affirming the impact of our digital creations.

Adam was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and he moved to Georgia in 2013 looking for warmer weather and new career opportunities. He is an experienced Technical Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the Salesforce ecosystem across multiple industries

He has 20 years of software and development team leadership experience and a knack for diving into new technologies and learning them quickly. Skilled in Apex, Java, Spring MVC, & Data, REST, Mobile Applications, and DevOps tools. Adam embodies strong engineering knowledge with a history of helping teams modernize their development practices and methodologies.

linkedin.com/in/adamerstelle/