Matthew Destefano

Experience

1. Senior Manager Community Affairs

   Microsoft

   Feb 2024 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   Lead community affairs strategy for Microsoft datacenter projects across U.S. East and Midwest markets, supporting permitting, construction, and long‑term operations through proactive stakeholder engagement-Serve as the primary Microsoft liaison to local governments, school districts, residents, HOAs, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit partners, building trust and maintaining Microsoft’s social license to operate-Develop and execute community engagement plans tailored to local conditions, political climates, and project phases to support communities where Microsoft operates-Plan and lead groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, open houses, and public meetings, coordinating closely with engineering, construction, legal, environmental, and communications teams, as well as external officials-Draft and deliver public statements, media responses, and resident communications related to construction impacts, environmental concerns, and project milestones, emphasizing transparency and responsiveness-Identify, document, and manage community sentiment, reputational, and permitting risks, escalating issues to leadership and tracking risks in internal risk management tools-Oversee community investments and partnerships, including nonprofit grants, sponsorships, workforce development initiatives, and environmental restoration efforts aligned with datacenter regions-Partner cross‑functionally to ensure community strategy aligns with project delivery, compliance requirements, and internal governance expectations-Provide regular leadership updates summarizing wins, emerging risks, support needs, and upcoming stakeholder activity-Support hiring, onboarding, and development of Community Affairs team members, contributing interview feedback, calibration, and onboarding improvements-Represent Microsoft in high‑visibility and sensitive community environments, navigating opposition, misinformation, and public scrutiny with sound judgment and diplomacy.

Education

• West Virginia University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Education

  2006 — 2010

• George Mason University

  Master’s Degree, Educational Leadership and Administration, General

Skills

• Physical Education
• Microsoft Office
• Coaching
• Lesson Planning
• Collaborative Leadership
• Educational Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Education
• Fitness
• Elementary Education
• Event Management
• Athletics
• Behavior Management
• Classroom Management
• Leadership
• Teaching
• Health Education
• Team Leadership
• Social Media
• Organization Skills
• Curriculum Development
• Event Planning