Mrs. Stephanie (Conrad) Rogers (’13) earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration here on the Hill. Today, she serves as Senior Director, Developer Audience Marketing with Microsoft.
More than a decade after graduating from ETBU, Stephanie has built an impressive career spanning marketing, SaaS, AI, and global leadership. We asked her to look back on her journey and share how her experiences on the Hill helped shape the path ahead.
Since graduating in 2013, I have built a career in marketing across SaaS and AI products. I joined Microsoft in 2020, where I began leading developer audience marketing in Europe before expanding into a global leadership role.
Along the way, I took a career break to study at Oxford, deepening my focus on executive leadership and global perspective while also growing my work as a conference speaker across industry and developer communities.
In 2024, I returned to Microsoft in Redmond to lead the global developer audience marketing team. My work spans shaping the narrative for flagship moments like GitHub Universe and Microsoft Build, as well as designing the marketing programs, campaigns, and measurement frameworks that drive long-term product adoption.
Today, I lead a global team focused on bringing Cloud and AI to developer audiences through hands-on skilling programs, global events, and community at scale, helping developers build real, practical capabilities with these technologies.
I was drawn to ETBU for its faith-based foundation and strong reputation in business and academics, along with the opportunity to experience a completely new culture and community outside of the Pacific Northwest, where I had lived my whole life.
Looking back on the faculty, Dr. Hamby was one of the first people I talked to when I needed guidance on my career path, and if things were hard in my family life at home. He was the one who directed me towards Marketing, for which I'm eternally grateful. Dr. Kathleen Mays, who pushed me to grow in people management studies, as well as to join an improvisation class to sharpen my skills in ambiguity. Dr. Scott Ray, who led us on the month-long business trip to Ecuador for hands-on experiences, showed kindness in his leadership as a daily example.
President Dub Oliver also made a lasting impression as he taught me the importance and skill of remembering first names and the impact that has on each individual.
Some of my most meaningful memories from ETBU come from the friendships I built along the way. I still think about the gaming LAN parties I hosted, the rare snow days spent sledding, late nights fueled by pancakes and energy drinks, and long sunny days at the lake. I was a Resident Assistant for a few of those years as well, which led me to even more opportunities to pay it back in mentorship, kindness, and leadership moments. Those moments shaped me and my career path.
When I reflect on my time at ETBU, I think about all the ancillary events and the authentic care of the faculty.
My time on the Hill pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. It taught me how to adapt, build meaningful relationships, and stay grounded in my faith and values while navigating new experiences and cultures. That foundation shows up in how I lead today, especially when leading across global teams and fostering communities.
If I had five minutes with ETBU students today, I would tell them this: you do not need to have everything figured out, but you do need to stay curious, build bridges, take chances, and consistently show up.
The people sitting next to you and teaching at the front of the classroom right now will matter more than you think. Invest in those relationships and expand your networking into fields that you are interested in. Build genuine connections, not just for what they might lead to, but because trust and community are what carry you through your career. Every opportunity that I have had has come back to people who trusted me, believed in me, or who simply remembered how I showed up.
Say yes to things that stretch you. Build things, even if they are imperfect. Lean into the moments that feel a little uncomfortable, because that is where growth happens.
And trust that where you are right now is preparing you for something bigger. Focus on building skills, building relationships, and building trust. The rest will come.