Heather Perriam
Accessibility Advocate | Power Platform Evangelist | Biz Apps Practice Lead
Brixham, United Kingdom
Actions
Heather Perriam is the Practice Lead for Business Applications at a UK-based Microsoft partner consultancy, specialising in Microsoft Power Platform with a growing focus on artificial intelligence. With a background as a Solution Architect, she has delivered innovative SaaS solutions across healthcare, public sector, enterprise organisations, and SMBs.
With over a decade of experience in Microsoft technologies and 15 years in telecommunications, Heather blends deep technical expertise with strategic leadership. Originally from the United States and now based in Devon, she is passionate about mentoring others and creating opportunities that help people grow their skills and careers.
Heather is a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusive design, both in client solutions and within the workplace. She also champions awareness of neurodiversity, openly sharing her own experience of living with ADHD as part of her commitment to building a tech community where everyone feels seen, supported, and able to thrive. She actively supports initiatives to advance women in tech and regularly shares her knowledge to empower developers, consultants, and organisations to get the best from Power Platform.
Area of Expertise
Topics
From Developer to Architect: Navigating Your Career in the Power Platform Ecosystem
Breaking into tech is just the beginning — building a fulfilling and impactful career within it is where the real challenge begins. This session is designed to demystify career progression across three key roles in the Microsoft Business Applications landscape: Developer, Consultant, and Solution Architect.
Drawing from a hiring manager’s perspective, we’ll explore what interviewers are really looking for in each role, how interview formats and expectations differ, and the signals that indicate readiness to step up. Whether you’re aiming to grow from developer to consultant, consultant to architect, or supporting others in their progression, this session will give you a practical framework for charting your path.
We’ll unpack:
Key skill sets and mindsets that distinguish each role
Common interview pitfalls and how to avoid them
Real-world examples and best practices for career growth
You’ll leave with clear guidance, actionable tips, and confidence to position yourself — or your team — for the next stage in the Power Platform journey.
Designing for Everyone: Accessibility and Inclusive Design in Power Platform
In the Microsoft Business Applications space, solutions are only as good as the people who use them. Accessibility and inclusion are not optional extras, they are foundational to delivering value to all users. In this session we will explore how to design and build Power Platform solutions that are truly accessible and inclusive, including canvas apps, model driven apps, Power Automate, and Copilot integration.
We will begin by covering inclusive design principles such as designing with empathy, considering diverse user needs including visual, audio, motor and cognitive, and making accessibility part of the process from the start. We will then look at practical techniques such as choosing and testing colour contrast, sizing and labelling user interface components, keyboard navigation, screen reader support, focus order, error messaging, and supporting alternative input methods.
You will see real world examples and lessons learned from production solutions, including common mistakes to avoid. Finally, you will walk away with a practical checklist and an approach you can apply immediately. This session is designed for developers, consultants, and solution architects working with Power Platform who want to deliver more usable, equitable, and successful solutions.
Takeaways:
- Why accessibility and inclusive design matter in business applications
- Core inclusive design principles and how they apply to Power Platform
- Practical techniques to make apps accessible
- Real world lessons and examples from production solutions
- A checklist and actions you can apply immediately
From Developer to Architect: Interviewing and Career Progression Best Practices
Breaking into the tech world is one thing but navigating your career path within it is another. In this session, we’ll explore the different journeys across three key roles in the Microsoft Business Applications ecosystem: Developer, Consultant, and Solution Architect. Each role demands unique skills and interview approaches, and knowing how to position yourself (or guide a candidate) can make all the difference.
From a hiring manager’s perspective, I’ll share insights into what interviewers look for in each role, how interviews differ between technical, consulting, and architectural positions, and the signals that indicate when someone is ready to take the next step. We’ll also look at best practices for candidates to prepare, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips for charting a career progression, whether you’re a developer looking to grow into consulting, a consultant aspiring to become an architect, or simply deciding which role fits you best.
Expect real-world examples, practical frameworks, and guidance that will help both candidates and managers make informed choices about role fit and career growth.
Please note that Sessionize is not responsible for the accuracy or validity of the data provided by speakers. If you suspect this profile to be fake or spam, please let us know.
Jump to top