Rie Merritt
Sr Program Manager, MVP & SQL Community for Microsoft, Organizer
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
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Rie Merritt has been working with SQL Server since 1999, when she started as a data analyst for a non-profit. She's worked in many industries over the years including pharmaceutical, e-commerce, legal, financial, education and both federal & state government. Most recently, she was director of database management, Integrated Payments for WorldPay, Inc. She is currently Senior Program Manager with Microsoft Azure Data, serving as the MVP PG lead and as liaison between the product group and the data community. She is based out of Redmond, but works remotely from her home near Atlanta.
Over the years, Rie has done extensive work with the SQL Community. She was an MVP in the Data Platform for three years, speaking frequently at conferences across the US and moderating webinars, WIT panels and career panels. She has also served co-leader of the PASS Women in Technology Virtual Group and Executive Director of SQL Saturday Atlanta. Most recently, Rie helps run the Atlanta Azure Data User Group heading up Microsoft’s efforts for the Azure Data Community.
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Area of Expertise
Topics
Understanding Microsoft Defender for SQL
A brief overview of how Microsoft Defender for SQL protects our environment from threats, inside and out, that want to access or exploit SQL Server. SQL Vulnerability Assessment can help you proactively protect your databases with recommendations based on various compliance standards. Advanced Threat protection detects anomalous activities indicating unusual and potentially harmful attempts to access or exploit your database. It continuously monitors your database for suspicious activities, alerting you to attacks. Learn how they both work to make your job as a DBA easier and your systems more secure.
Understanding Maintenance in Azure SQL
A brief overview of updates & maintenance in Azure SQL DB and Managed Instance
Microsoft's Hybrid Data Strategy
Microsoft recognizes that customers have applications and data on-premises and in Azure, and also in other public clouds. There are many benefits to this hybrid strategy, but also challenges such as how to consistently deploy, how to secure, and how to effectively manage all of these resources. Microsoft has been building a portfolio of hybrid products to help you manage your hybrid strategy. In this session, you'll learn the basics of Azure Stack and Azure Arc. You'll know when you want to use Azure Stack Hub, HCI, and Edge; and when to use Arc infrastructure and services.
Feedback link: https://sqlb.it/?7162
Microsoft Defender for SQL: Advanced Threat Protection
A brief overview of how Microsoft Defender for SQL protects our environment from threats, inside and out, that want to access or exploit SQL Server.
Microsoft Defender for SQL: Vulnerability Assessment
A brief overview of how Microsoft Defender for SQL Vulnerability Assessment can help you proactively protect your databases with recommendations based on various compliance standards.
10 DBA Tasks for the Azure DBA: What's Different from On-Prem
Adoption of Cloud is at an all time high, with no end in sight. Managing a small fleet of databases on-premises was something you used to understand. In this session, we'll cover the 10 most common tasks a DBA needs to learn to manage in Azure SQL as well as they currently manage their On Premises installs. One of the great things about Azure SQL is that the skill set your team has developed over the years translates well. The tools and technologies you're familiar with are all there. So much is the same but some of the tasks that DBAs do are different.
Real World Implications of Bias in Coding & Machine Learning
Computers can't be biased, right? I mean, it's just lines of code. Yes or No. Ones & Zeros. Those lines of code are written by people. People have life experiences, baggage, that color how they see the world. And that baggage is seeping into your application, surveys and web forms. You've got an idea for a new app and it's going to change the world! Right? You're working on the GUI for your company's web portal and you know just what information to collect from the user. Are you sure about that? Odds are pretty good that the information you're going to collect is a reflection of your life & your experiences. Learn how to identify bias when it seeps in, how to code to be inclusive instead of exclusive , and some quick tips & tricks to make sure you're accounting for all the users that will use YOUR application to change the world. Instead of just the ones that look like you.
Lifting as We Climb
“Lifting as we climb" is a talk about all the different ways women & allies can help women in tech. As a woman in tech, its your responsibility to pull another woman up the proverbial ladder as you move up a rung. You should reach through the door when you step into the board room or pull up an extra seat at the table. Learn actionable behavior and concrete steps that they can apply immediately and long term: mentorship, sponsorship, amplification, key phrases to use to take back your voice, and protecting women's voices ideas.
I Saw Three Ships a-sailing: Mentorship, Sponsorship & Allyship
This will be a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion discussion on all the different ways you can help be an ally at your workplace, in the community and in your life. We'll define Mentorship, Sponsorship & Allyship, we'll contrast the differences, provide actionable steps that you can take to find one, be one, and to be a better one.
Just as importantly, we'll talk about how you can make sure you're part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.
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