Last week, Michael Holt, Director of Solution Consulting, represented Aquiva Labs as a speaker at the TDX / London World Tour, bringing his energy, expertise, and passion for the Salesforce ecosystem to a wider audience.
Michael is not only deeply committed to supporting our customers but also plays a key role in mentoring and empowering his team. Whether he’s sharing knowledge internally or driving meaningful conversations externally, Michael approaches every opportunity with empathy, curiosity, and a strong team mindset.
We’re proud to shine a spotlight on Michael and celebrate the impact he continues to make at Aquiva Labs and beyond.
Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to Aquiva Labs?
I’ve been working with Salesforce for over a decade, starting in the UK with a consultancy before spending several years at Salesforce itself, primarily within the ISV Technology Solutions team. That role gave me the opportunity to regularly collaborate with Aquiva Labs, so I was already familiar with their work and strong presence in the ecosystem.
Salesforce is a fantastic place to work, so leaving wasn’t easy, but when Greg Wasowski reached out about a Technical Architect role at Aquiva, I saw it as an exciting opportunity. I knew the team was full of top talent – CTAs, MVPs like Robert Sösemann and Jakub Stefaniak, and I saw it as a chance to grow and learn. I’m glad I made the move – it’s been a great experience so far.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences or achievements in Aquiva?
There have been many memorable moments, but what stands out most is our presence at Dreamforce. We had a large team attend – around 12 or 13 people, and it was a fantastic opportunity to connect both internally and with customers in person. Meeting clients face-to-face, some for the first time after months of virtual collaboration, was especially meaningful.
We hosted several great events, including a Heroku session with high-profile speakers and multiple evening happy hours that brought our customers together. It was rewarding to see how well-received everything was, and it reinforced the strong culture and energy we have at Aquiva.
I’ve been to Dreamforce before with Salesforce, but this experience felt different. While I had more speaking commitments previously, this time I could really focus on building relationships and enjoying the moment. It was a proud experience and a reminder of how much we can achieve when we come together as a team.
This time, we're highlighting the core value of "We win as a team”. How do you personally connect with this value, and why do you believe it is essential?
Since stepping into the role of leading the Solution Consulting team, I’ve really seen how essential teamwork is to our success. We’re a small but diverse group spread across Europe and the U.S., bringing different backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets – from deep technical expertise to business-focused thinking.
What’s powerful is how naturally the team supports each other. For example, when one member needed help with a Mulesoft solution, another stepped in to share their expertise without hesitation. That kind of knowledge-sharing is what makes us stronger as a whole.
We’ve also created a space to learn from each other through monthly knowledge-sharing sessions, where anyone on the team can present on a topic they’re passionate about – technical or business. These sessions foster cross-functional learning and bring the team closer together, making us better prepared to deliver value to our customers. That’s what “We win as a team” looks like in action.
What advice would you give to others about incorporating a "We win as a team" approach into their daily work?
My advice would be to lead with empathy and a spirit of helpfulness. Teamwork isn’t just about collaboration on paper – it’s about recognizing when someone might be struggling, putting your ego aside, and offering support, even if it’s just pointing someone in the right direction or jumping on a quick call.
I learned this during a leadership program I took part in, where I had to identify my core values. Helpfulness and empathy stood out to me, and they’ve stayed with me ever since. These qualities are at the heart of a strong team culture.
What I’ve found at Aquiva is that this mindset is shared – people are always willing to help one another. That openness creates trust, accelerates learning, and ultimately helps us deliver better outcomes together.
What are some of the hobbies or interests you enjoy outside of work?
Running has become a big part of my life over the past few years. I wasn’t really into sports growing up, but I realized I needed to stay active and healthy, so I took up running and haven’t looked back.
I run regularly and even take part in races. I recently placed 10th out of over 200 people in a local 5K, which was a great personal milestone. I’m currently training for the Helsinki Marathon in August, and I’m really looking forward to that challenge.
Is there a fact that might surprise your colleagues?
I moved to Spain last year, which has been an amazing experience. My wife and I live in a remote area in the northwest, just 20 minutes from the Portuguese border. It’s actually my first time living abroad.
I spend several hours a week learning Spanish. I’m not great at it yet, but the process has given me a whole new appreciation for anyone learning a second language. It’s a real challenge, especially in a country with four official languages! I’m learning standard Spanish, but it’s still challenging.
What is one thing you’ve learned at Aquiva Labs that you think everyone should know?
I’ve learned how important it is to invest in your people. When AI tools like ChatGPT started gaining attention, Aquiva leadership made a bold decision. They asked some of our most experienced people to dedicate time to learning and exploring AI, recognizing how transformational it could be.
Not many companies were doing that at the time, and it showed me that Aquiva really wants to stay ahead and help its people grow. That mindset has made us stronger and more competitive.
Author
Katya Pashkova
Human Resources Business Partner
