Tale Wenholz

Program Management
Microsoft Cloud · Identity · Security · Modern Workplace · M&A Transformation
De-risking complex enterprise transformations through executable architecture

Cologne, Germany

About

Over a decade of delivering Microsoft platform transformations, M&A separations, tenant migrations, and identity modernization across Automotive, Consumer Goods, and Financial Services in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. I started in the engine room, not in a classroom, and that foundation shows in how I evaluate and shape deals today: architecture decisions grounded in what actually works at scale, not just slideware.

What differentiates my profile: the ability to read technical debt and inherited risk before they become program risk. I've scoped Day 1 readiness for carve-outs spanning 50,000+ users, developed architecture under regulatory constraints (FINMA, DORA, TISAX), and owned risk sign-off on deals where getting the assessment wrong would have cost millions in rework. That judgment comes from operating at every layer — from 2nd-level support and migration tooling to architecture authority and commercial solutioning.


Experience

Avanade — a joint venture of Accenture and Microsoft July 2016 – Present
Group Manager — Accenture Microsoft Business Group · Zurich, Switzerland June 2024 – Present
  • Governed architecture and technical risk for a strategic carve-out program at a German Media group, aligning executive stakeholders around key platform, identity, and operating model decisions.
  • Shaped a Google to Microsoft platform migration for a Swiss consumer goods client in a competitive tender, delivering on a more aggressive timeline with higher end-user satisfaction.
  • Owned technical-commercial solutioning for Microsoft consulting and system-integration deals up to $5m, translating client objectives into executable architectures, delivery models, cost assumptions, and risk positions.
  • Introduced Copilot-supported pre-sales and delivery workflows, reducing time-to-proposal by half while improving consistency and quality.
  • Held practice leadership responsibilities within a 180-FTE organization, covering hiring, development, staffing, and performance decisions, resulting in improved utilization and career development opportunities.
Manager · Zurich, Switzerland June 2022 – May 2024
  • Advised two German Automotive suppliers with a combined 120,000 employees on their merger, focusing on Identity Modernization, Zero Trust and M365 migration strategy.
  • Business development in Switzerland and Germany within a $100m portfolio, in close coordination with Accenture and Microsoft stakeholders, contributing to $20m in new business.
  • Acted as People Lead for 8 direct reports resulting in high employee satisfaction and retention. Interviewer for technical and managerial positions.
Senior Consultant · Zurich, Switzerland Sept 2021 – May 2022
  • Drove technical architecture for a carve-out covering separation, integration, and target-state design for 35,000+ users for a German Tier 1 Automotive supplier.
  • Delivered a Modern Workplace transformation including security, and operational maturity for a Zurich-based private bank, aligned with FINMA expectations, Zero Trust, and evergreen operations.
  • Defined Microsoft 365 migration architecture and migration plans, balancing security and separation constraints for a carve-out of a Russian subsidiary, enabling an accelerated divestiture.
Senior Consultant · Hamburg, Germany Dec 2020 – Aug 2021
  • Designed, built, and operated a custom IAM system based on Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID, and SQL Server, including governance and lifecycle automation for 35,000 users, enabling Day 1 readiness.
  • Developed Exchange Hybrid and Azure AD service-request automation solutions aligned with enterprise security requirements, improving scalability and operational efficiency for 200,000 end users.
  • Contributed to IGA vendor selection with strategic guidance on future requirements, operating model, and integration considerations.
Consultant · Hamburg, Germany June 2019 – Nov 2020
  • Architected and implemented an identity migration strategy for a carve-out, including lifecycle management, password migration and provisioning of groups using Microsoft and third-party solutions.
  • Scoped and established an external access solution based on Azure AD B2B collaboration for a large enterprise organization, covering 10,000 external users.
  • Implemented an AWS-based server platform, enabling efficient and scalable ramp-up for OneDrive and SharePoint migrations.
Senior Analyst · Hamburg, Germany June 2018 – May 2019
  • Designed and implemented Lotus Notes to Microsoft 365 migration automation solutions for 200,000 users of a German Tier 1 Automotive supplier.
  • Created a Microsoft license optimization strategy for a DAX 30 consumer goods enterprise, resulting in significant cost savings and improved license compliance.
  • Project planning and execution at workstream level, including task coordination, milestone tracking, status reporting, and risk escalation.
Analyst · Hamburg, Germany July 2016 – May 2018
  • Created migration design and managed execution of a Microsoft Exchange Migration for 35,000 users, focused on the replacement of customized legacy workflows using Public Folders.
  • Configured cross-organizational collaboration solutions using Microsoft 365 and Azure AD, including presenting the solution to the workers council and data protection officer.
  • Shaped M365 applications policies and roll-out plan for a German Insurance company, including organizing user acceptance tests and risk evaluation.
Hülskötter & Partner
IT Specialist · Münster, Germany Aug 2013 – June 2016
  • Led 2nd-level tech support for 10,000 users, including incident management and troubleshooting, system upgrades, on-call escalations and user training.
  • Product development, design, implementation, and operation of a managed Virtual Desktop platform in a private cloud for ~600 users.
  • Built and operated a social enterprise network, covering design, implementation, and ongoing operations, leading to improved communication and collaboration.

Current Certifications

Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100, 2022) · Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500, 2019) · Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300, 2023) · Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140, 2022) · Accenture: Reinvention with Agentic AI (2026) · ITIL Foundation (2014)


Education & Professional Development

INSEAD · Fontainebleau, France 2026 – 2027
Accenture-INSEAD Strategy Programme · Business Performance and Executive Presence (in progress)
IHK Nord Westfalen · Münster, Germany 2015
IT Business Administration — dual vocational programme
Gymnasium St. Mauritz · Münster, Germany 2013
Abitur

Volunteering

Dialoghaus Hamburg Jun 2018 – Jul 2021

Led a multi-year pro bono engagement for Dialoghaus Hamburg — a social enterprise offering experiential exhibitions run by guides with disabilities and elderly individuals. Covered endpoint management, identity hygiene, and operational resilience in a resource-constrained environment. Recognized with the Avanade Volunteering Impact Award in 2021.

Ubuntu 2008 – 2011

Authored and maintained technical documentation for the German Ubuntu community wiki in German and English, covering installation guides, hardware compatibility, and system administration topics. Active contributor during a period of rapid Ubuntu adoption in the German-speaking Linux community.


Miscellaneous

German — Native · English — Full proficiency (ICAO Level 6 accreditation)

German passport · Swiss permanent residence

Private Pilot — EASA LAPL (A)


Contact

Mail · LinkedIn