Michael Earls

About Michael Earls

Most enterprise cloud and AI strategies don’t fail because of technology.They fail in execution.I work with Financial Services organizations to move from strategy to production to measurable business outcomes—turning cloud, data, and AI initiatives into real workloads, real consumption, and long-term platform growth.Over the past 20+ years, I’ve taken an unconventional path across the stack—developer, architect, strategist, founder, and sales leader. That journey gives me a different lens. I’m as comfortable in a whiteboard session as I am in an executive conversation, but the focus is always the same:Make it realMake it operationalMake it deliver valueToday, I lead enterprise engagements that:Drive cloud and AI transformation in complex, regulated environmentsConvert modernization initiatives into funded, multi-year programsExpand accounts through both consumption growth and recurring platform adoptionMy work spans data center exits, AI enablement, security modernization, and platform integration across cloud, data, and enterprise ecosystems.What I bring:Enterprise account ownership across top Financial Services institutionsAbility to align CIO, CISO, and business stakeholders to move initiatives forwardA track record of turning strategy into production deployment and real business impactExperience building and scaling both new business and long-term account growthAlongside my work, I write about leadership, AI, and navigating change through my book Finding Direction in the Age of AI.Outside of work, I’m a father, a reader, and someone who believes the best ideas still come from stepping back, having real conversations, and staying curious in a world that’s moving fast.If you’re working through cloud, AI, or platform transformation—and need to move from idea to execution—I’m always open to connecting.

Experience

1. Senior Cloud and Ai Platform Specialist

   Microsoft

   Oct 2022 — Present

   Led enterprise cloud and AI sales engagements across Financial Services, evolving from Azure-focused infrastructure modernization into full-platform transformation across Azure, AI, data, Microsoft 365, Fabric, and SQL.Started in a pure Azure Core role, driving infrastructure modernization, data center exits, and cloud adoption—consistently exceeding quota while converting legacy environments into production workloads tied to consumption growth and long-term platform adoption. Led complex sales motions with CIOs and senior stakeholders, aligning modernization efforts with cost optimization, security, and scalability.Expanded into a Cloud & AI Platform Specialist role, broadening scope across AI, data, and enterprise platforms. Shifted conversations from cloud adoption to business transformation through AI and data, driving both consumption-based growth and recurring platform expansion. Led end-to-end engagements that secured executive alignment and converted strategy into funded, multi-year programs.Selected Impact: • Consistently exceeded quota across cloud and AI sales motions • Supported large, multi-year enterprise transformation initiatives • Drove both Azure consumption growth and platform expansion (AI, data, M365) • Helped customers move from AI experimentation to production deployment • Re-engaged stalled accounts and accelerated pipeline through aligned strategy

Skills

• Juniper
• Wide Area Network (Wan)
• Virtualization
• Routers
• Computer Security
• Network Architecture
• Cisco Technologies
• Vmware
• F5 Bigip
• Networking
• Hp
• Software Defined Networking
• Information Technology
• Network Design
• Load Balancing
• IT Service Management
• Security
• Enterprise Software
• Cisco Ios
• Virtual Private Network (Vpn)
• Youtube Certified
• Wan
• Firewalls
• Cloud Computing
• Linux
• Bgp
• Voip
• Data Center
• Unified Communications
• Tcp/Ip
• Wireless Networking
• Network Security
• Vpn
• Checkpoint
• Juniper Technologies
• Network Engineering
• Information Security
• Solution Selling
• Voice Over Ip (Voip)
• Cisco Call Manager