David Dilday
Cloud Consultant, Educator & Modern Workplace Leader
📋 Biography
David Dilday is a Microsoft 365 MVP with over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in cloud strategy, infrastructure design, and digital workplace transformation. As a Principal Consultant for Cloud & Platform Engineering at AHEAD, David guides enterprises through cloud adoption, platform modernization, and scalable M365 deployments that prioritize security and operational excellence. Prior to his current role, David spent 10 years in various leadership roles within AHEAD Managed Services, including the Infrastructure and Cloud practices, where he spearheaded initiatives around automation, governance, and service maturity. David is also an experienced educator and mentor. He's created and delivered dozens of training courses on Microsoft 365, focusing on productivity, security, and adoption best practices. He’s passionate about helping individuals grow their careers and consistently shares practical, real-world insights through videos and written content.
✨ High-Impact Contributions 3
The MS-900 - Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals course provides a comprehensive introduction to cloud computing, Microsoft 365 services, and how organizations can leverage cloud-based solutions for productivity, security, and cost efficiency. You'll explore key concepts like cloud models, deployment strategies, and the benefits of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. The course also covers Microsoft 365 features, compliance considerations, and security principles to help businesses make informed decisions about their cloud adoption. By the end, learners will have a strong foundation in Microsoft 365’s capabilities and how to integrate them into real-world business environments.
As a Principal Consultant at AHEAD, I provide organizations with Microsoft 365 adoption guidance, helping them navigate the complexities of modern workplace transformation, security, compliance, and cloud collaboration. My role involves strategic planning, technical workshops, and hands-on advisory, ensuring customers maximize their investment in Microsoft 365 while aligning adoption with business objectives. Beyond M365, I am currently serving as Engagement Lead on multiple cloud migration projects, guiding businesses through secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud transitions. I help customers design resilient architectures, optimize workloads, and implement best practices for long-term operational success. My work focuses on ensuring cloud migrations are well-governed, efficient, and aligned with industry-leading standards, driving sustainable IT transformation.
As Director of Managed Services Cloud at AHEAD, I led initiatives focused on FinOps, cloud migrations, and best practices, helping organizations optimize their cloud strategies while ensuring operational efficiency and cost control. My role involved guiding customers through cost-effective cloud adoption, leveraging FinOps principles to maximize cloud investments, optimize spend, and align financial strategies with business objectives. I also led cloud migration projects, ensuring seamless transitions to Azure while maintaining security, scalability, and compliance. Beyond migrations, I drove best practices for long-term cloud success, emphasizing governance, automation, security frameworks, and resilience. I helped organizations build structured, efficient, and future-proof cloud environments tailored to their needs.