Leigh Williams
Architect
Azure Cloud · AI Enablement · Information Security · Enterprise Architecture
Summary
Solutions Architect with 15+ years' experience in enterprise Azure infrastructure, AI enablement, and security architecture. Relentlessly curious hands-on builder who architects, codes, and delivers — equally at home designing enterprise topologies as I am hacking together custom container stacks and homelab automations.
Experience
Solutions Architect · Nutun
Nov 2025 – Present
- Architected Azure Hub-and-Spoke topology with Bicep IaC and Private DNS
- Leading enterprise AI enablement — AI Software Development Directives, Copilot training and agentic AI
- Built centralized telemetry and observability stack using Grafana, Loki, and Alloy
- Leading Intune, Defender, and Azure ARC POCs to consolidate tooling and drive cost savings
- Launched Architecture Review Board (ARB) defining enterprise governance standards
Solutions Architect · Omnisient
Mar 2025 – Oct 2025
- Led Synapse-to-Spark migration for data cleanroom platform (Microsoft Fabric)
- Drove Azure cost optimization and cloud standardization
- Evaluated and supported SIEM and EDR integration to strengthen security posture
Systems Architect · Nutun
Sep 2017 – Oct 2024
- Delivered digital debt collection platform, credit tools, and WhatsApp chatbot
- Automated financial and month-end processes, driving critical efficiency gains
- Performance-tuned large-scale SQL Server databases and implemented automated alerting
Systems Architect · First National Bank
2010 – 2017
- Rearchitected Acquirer Fraud systems — 10x fraud reduction
- Led POS encryption architecture aligning with PCI DSS
- Led Base24 Observability
- Technical Architect on backend Mainframe migration
Key Skills
Cloud & Architecture
Azure (AZ-305, AZ-104, AZ-700), Bicep IaC, Hub-and-Spoke, Governance
AI & Automation
AI Directives, Copilot, Agentic Development, Business Automation
Security
CISSP, CISM, Zero Trust, Pen Testing, SIEM/EDR
Development & Data
Python, Django, Node.js, CI/CD, SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, Grafana
Homelab & Interests
Homelab & Networking
Ubiquiti UniFi ecosystem (prior MikroTik, MTCNA certified), VLAN segmentation,
local DNS & secure routing
Self-Hosting & Containers
Dockhand (prior Portainer) managing self-hosted stacks; custom services built &
shipped via GitHub Actions CI/CD
Home Automation & IoT
Home Assistant hub orchestrating smart energy, climate, and automated routines
across custom IoT devices
Maker & Side Projects
3D printing & design (Printables), indie browser games (Spaceboy, Gravity
Falls), tech blogging
Education & Certifications
BSc IT Honors (Cum Laude)
North West University · 2005–2008
Azure & AI
AZ-305, AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-500, AZ-700, DP-700, DP-300, AB-731, AB-730
Security
CISSP, CISM, CCISO, CEH, CND, SSCP
Governance & Networking
ITIL Foundation, ITIL Service Delivery, COBIT 5, MTCNA (MikroTik Certified Network
Associate)