From Code to Crowd - Yuliya's Journey as a Speaker 

Meet Yuliya Khadasevich, Software Development Consultant at Xebia and Microsoft MVP

With a career that has spanned multiple roles, countries, and years, Yuliya has cultivated a deep passion for developer productivity, clean solutions, and efficient processes.

A strong advocate for diversity in tech, Yuliya finds fulfillment in helping others grow, through mentoring, training, and inspiring others on stage.

You’ve been part of the Microsoft community for many years and are now a Microsoft MVP. What inspired you to start sharing your knowledge publicly, and what advice would you give to someone who aspires to become an MVP themselves?

Sharing knowledge has always been part of who I am, not just in IT. I used to teach mathematics and still teach dancing today, and I find the same joy in mentoring others at work.

For me, knowledge sharing is about helping others learn more efficiently or sparking curiosity about a topic you’re passionate about.

I enjoy attending conferences on my own. I love the vibe, the energy, and how much inspiration you can absorb in just a few days. I remember at one event, NDC Porto, someone asked if I was speaking there. I said no, but then thought, why not? Around the same time, I also saw a not-so-great talk and thought, well, I think I can do better. That moment gave me the push to start.

Becoming an MVP was never my goal; it happened naturally, and actually quite fast, through presenting and organizing. It took me about a year.

My advice for anyone aspiring to become an MVP: don’t chase the title. Focus on sharing what excites you, the recognition will follow naturally.

You regularly speak at events and contribute to the tech community. How did you get started as a speaker, and what helped you build confidence on stage?

My first IT talk took place at an internal Xebia event, together with an experienced colleague. We spoke about AI assistant development, a topic closely tied the work we do at Xebia.

From there, opportunities followed, first at external events and then at a couple of international conferences. I still enjoy and prefer co-presenting; it’s more dynamic and fun to create something together and share the knowledge between us two.

Stage confidence has never been an issue for me; I’ve been dancing and performing since childhood. Of course, I was nervous at first (and I still get a little of that before every talk), but once you see people respond positively, it’s all worth it. These days, I just try to have fun and enjoy the process.

What’s your process for preparing a talk, from idea to presentation? Do you have any tips for turning technical topics into engaging and memorable talks?

My topics usually come from a mix of professional experience, personal interests, and tech trends. I currently deliver many trainings on AI assistant development, which helps me stay up to date and a bit ahead of the curve. Seeing how different companies operate also helps me identify real challenges worth discussing.

I usually start with the story I (or we) want to tell and build around it, using real project examples to make it practical and relatable.

The best talks, in my view, combine quality content, real stories, clear visuals, a bit of humor, and, above all, a passionate speaker who truly believes in the topic. I’m still learning and improving, but that’s what keeps it interesting.

How does speaking and sharing knowledge influence your work as a consultant at Xebia?

Public speaking helps me practice being confident and structured during client presentations. I also believe it helps build credibility. Clients may see you as someone active in the community and be more inclined to trust your expertise.

I like how it all connects: what I share on stage often comes from real project experience, and what I learn through speaking and preparing talks feeds back into my work.

For Xebians who dream of becoming speakers or want to share more openly, what advice would you give to someone starting out?

My advice is simple: don’t be afraid to start. Begin with internal sessions, get support from experienced colleagues, and learn by doing. Xebia offers the perfect environment for this, from knowledge-sharing sessions to company events, and you can even use your study budget for public speaking courses.

With every talk, your confidence grows, and you realize that everything really does work out naturally.