ASUG volunteers are the heart of our community, fueling the success of industry professionals as they seek to maximize the value of their SAP technology investments.
In this ASUG Member Spotlight, we highlight Tammy Powlas, recently recognized as the Community Alliance Volunteer of the Year during this year's ASUG Volunteer Meeting in Austin, Texas (Jan. 24-26). A veteran ASUG Volunteer, Powlas’ work in the ASUG community has helped countless members to succeed; and her dedication to the ASUG Community Alliances program sets forward a positive example for us all.
Powlas' career in SAP technology began unexpectedly, while she was working in accounting; after earning her degree and passing the CPA exam, she became involved in an SAP implementation project at her company. First tasked with writing scripts, Powlas later joined the implementation team and embarked on a journey that has since spanned 28 years in SAP technology.
Powlas' involvement with ASUG started in 2006, when she was invited to help plan an ASUG Public Sector Forum. A year later, she joined the ASUG Business Warehouse Special Interest Group, stepping into the role of a "YRC" volunteer—a title she would soon come to understand more deeply.
Mentored by industry experts such as Joyce Butler, Jim Spath, and SAP contact Ingo Hilgefort, Powlas immersed herself further in the community, emerging as a strong advocate for the power of active participation in ASUG. Recently in conversation about her career, she explained that the words of retired volunteer Gretchen Lindquist have guided her efforts: “Be the ‘you’ in ASUG.”
Powlas has witnessed firsthand how companies that engage with user groups thrive; as such, encouraged by her employer, Powlas has made ASUG a central part of her professional journey.
One of her most meaningful contributions as an ASUG volunteer came when she was tasked with organizing a webcast for SAP Data Services in 2012. That experience would later prove invaluable, as she was responsible for managing the migration of two utilities into SAP simultaneously. Her involvement also extended to serving on the ASUG SAP TechEd Design Committee.
Powlas credits ASUG with shaping her professional development by providing her with education, networking, and influence that helped elevate her expertise in SAP BusinessObjects, Solution Manager, and S/4HANA. Over the past 17 years, she has built lasting friendships with fellow volunteers, creating a network that serves to this day as a continuous source of knowledge and support.
Currently, Powlas works as an SAP Business Analyst at Virginia’s largest water utility, where she says no two days are ever the same. Her professional journey remains dynamic, and her commitment to the SAP community is as strong as ever.
Powlas' advice to those considering volunteering is simple: “Just do it.” She encourages ASUG newcomers to get involved, shadow experienced volunteers, and find the right fit within the community or chapter.
Looking ahead, Powlas hopes to continue helping new SAP professionals as much as possible. She noted that, throughout her time with ASUG, she has taken advantage of the community’s three main pillars—learning, connection, and growth—and encouraged new members and volunteers to do the same.
As the SAP ecosystem evolves, Powlas also hopes to support the next generation of SAP professionals while fostering growth within the ASUG Mid-Atlantic Chapter, which serves Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Powlas aspires to pass the leadership baton to emerging talent, ensuring the chapter’s continued success.
Reflecting on her journey, Powlas cherishes the relationships she has built within ASUG, both personally and professionally. Watching long-time colleagues evolve into grandparents, and seeing the next generation enter the workforce has been a rewarding experience. She continues to inspire and mentor others, playing a vital role in shaping the future of SAP technology and the ASUG community.
Asked what advice she would convey to her younger self, Powlas said it would simply be to “be more patient with myself.” Time has shown her, in the ASUG community and beyond, that steady and diligent commitments pay off in the long run.