Meet Microsoft alumni
who changed the world
Microsoft has a collective corporate history of innovation and success. But every person who has worked for the company during its five decades has played a role, left their imprint and contributed to that success. And they have a story to tell. Microsoft Alumni Voices is the Microsoft Alumni Network’s initiative to document and preserve the legacies of those innovators who helped build one of the most successful tech companies of all time, democratize computing, and change the world.
About Microsoft Alumni Voices
Microsoft has a rich history of innovation and success. Ever since the day in 1975 when Bill Gates and Paul Allen opened a small office in Albuquerque, Microsoft has led every paradigm shift in personal computing. Microsoft Alumni Voices is a collection of oral histories of the people behind the innovations that have democratized computing and changed the world. It is our goal to share insights into pivotal moments in Microsoft’s history, the company culture and its ongoing innovation via the people who lived the experiences. This is just the beginning.
Stories that shaped the future
Microsoft alumni are changemakers. Get inspired by the people who have driven innovation, change and empowerment throughout Microsoft’s history. Check out the first 50 Alumni Voices.
Orlando Ayala shares his incredible journey from Colombia to becoming a key leader at Microsoft. Discover how he helped shape emerging markets, opened new subsidiaries, and championed technology's role in societal development. Hear firsthand about his pivotal moments, including standing up to leadership and driving Microsoft's mission to empower people globally. Don't miss this inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and impact.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
From his early days as a sales engineer to becoming the President and Executive Vice President of Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing, and Operations, Jean-Philippe Courtois shares his journey and insights of his 40-year career with the company. Discover how his passion for software led him from a startup in France to a global role at Microsoft. Learn about his leadership in shaping Microsoft's presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and his dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a culture of curiosity and excellence world-wide. Jean-Phillipe reflects on Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organization on the planet, and the impact of AI in transforming lives.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
From pioneering multimedia systems to driving the .NET platform, Sanjay Parthasarathy’s Microsoft journey is one of innovation and impact. Learn how he transformed India's tech landscape, balanced technology with empathy, and led Microsoft's global initiatives. This narrative showcases inspiring leadership and the role of humanity in technology.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Steve Ballmer reflects on his remarkable 34-year career at Microsoft, from his early days alongside Bill Gates to leading as CEO. Steve shares how his passion for math, a chance meeting with Bill Gates, and a bold decision to join a small company in Seattle led to the creation of one of the most influential tech giants in the world. Through candid stories and key milestones, Steve reveals the principles and values that fueled his leadership and drive for excellence.
Photo courtesy of Steve Ballmer
Bill Neukom reflects on his passion for justice and equality, and how it influenced Microsoft's legal strategies. As Microsoft’s general counsel, Bill navigated pivotal moments, including the company’s IPO, the landmark Apple litigation, and the formation of Microsoft's law department. Through stories of strategy, resilience, and groundbreaking decisions, Bill offers an inside look at how legal leadership shaped one of the most influential companies in the world.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Bob O'Rear takes you on a journey from his humble beginnings in Wellington, Texas, to his groundbreaking work at Microsoft. Learn about his early days working with computer languages like BASIC, FORTRAN, and COBOL, and his pivotal role in developing the operating system for the IBM PC. Hear firsthand accounts of his experiences with Bill Gates and Paul Allen, and his contributions to establishing Microsoft's global presence. Don't miss this inspiring story of innovation, dedication, and success.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Scott Oki shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to turning Microsoft into a global powerhouse. Scott's story explores how he shaped Microsoft’s international strategy and fostered a culture of bold ideas. Hear about the pivotal moments, strategic decisions, and relentless work ethic that defined his career. This candid interview offers a never-before-seen look into the life and legacy of this industry leader.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Mark Zbikowski recounts his transformative years at Microsoft, where he played a role in shaping its early successes. From joining the company in 1981 to pioneering projects like DOS and OS/2, Mark shares how he helped build the foundation of one of the world's most influential tech companies. Hear about the challenges, innovations, and camaraderie that defined his career, and gain a deeper appreciation for his lasting impact on technology.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Brad Chase recounts his journey at Microsoft, starting in 1987. From his early days in sales to becoming a key player in the launch of Windows 95, Brad shares his insights on business strategy, the importance of making the right bets, and the transformative experiences that shaped his career. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of iconic marketing campaigns and the evolution of Microsoft.
Photo courtesy of Brad Chase
Rosie Perera was an early software design engineer at Microsoft, joining the company in 1985 and staying there for more than a decade, where she worked on Microsoft Word for Windows and Microsoft Money. Features she created are still used by millions of people every day. Rosie shares her fond memories of the creative atmosphere, working on a corporate campus, the culture during the company’s early days, excitement around Microsoft’s IPO and more.
Photo courtesy of Rosie Perera
Brad Silverberg joined Microsoft in 1990 and is best known for his work on Windows 95. The Windows 95 project was guided by principles that emphasized building a modern, integrated, 32-bit reliable operating system that was easy and fun to use. Brad emphasizes the collaborative effort and the innovative spirit of the team that made it possible, transformed technology and changed the world.
Photo courtesy of Brad Silverberg
Steven Sinofsky’s journey at Microsoft started in 1989 and culminated in 2012 as the President of Windows. From his early days as a software design engineer, Steven's career is filled with groundbreaking innovations and pivotal moments, including the evolution of Windows, the Internet and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
From product support to program management, Walter Sullivan shares his experience working at Microsoft on groundbreaking projects like Visual Studio and pioneering innovations in the automotive industry. Discover how his passion for technology and customer interaction shaped his contributions to Microsoft's legacy.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
John Ludwig shares his journey from Ohio to becoming a key figure at Microsoft. He started at Microsoft in 1988, initially working on network products before moving to the Windows group. John played a significant role in developing Windows 95 and Internet Explorer, contributing to Microsoft's success in the PC and internet markets. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of these projects, including the rapid growth of the browser team and the competitive landscape with Netscape.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Patty Stonesifer advises others to have a “bias towards yes” and she embraced that wholeheartedly during her career. In this exclusive interview, she recounts her journey at Microsoft, highlighting her various leadership roles. She began at Microsoft Press, then led Microsoft Canada, Product Support, and ultimately the Consumer Division, creating products that enhanced creativity and enjoyment, like Microsoft Publisher and educational CD-ROMs. She also discusses the rapid evolution of the internet and the creation of innovative products like Expedia and Slate. After leaving Microsoft, she joined DreamWorks but soon collaborated with Bill and Melinda Gates to scale their philanthropic efforts, leading to the formation of the Gates Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Patty Stonesifer
Michael Toutonghi began his Microsoft career as a developer in the Windows kernel group, quickly becoming a lead developer. He worked on significant features for Windows 95, including implementing threads and rewriting the time slicer to improve user experience. He later led the development of the .NET platform, the “Midori” project, and more. Mike also reflects on the collaborative and innovative culture at Microsoft.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
In this exclusive interview, Dee Dee Walsh shares her passion for Microsoft and her time working hand-in-hand with developers to champion developer tools, including Visual Basic, Visual Studio and making programming accessible to all. Discover her pivotal role in the migration of millions of applications to the .NET platform, get a peek at Microsoft culture and social impact, and more.
Photo courtesy of Dee Dee Walsh
Dennis Adler played a pivotal role in shaping Microsoft's iconic products like Windows 95 and TrueType. From his early days in Los Angeles, Dennis shares his journey to working at Microsoft and “smoke jumping” from challenge to the next to solve problems and advance many of the company’s products to his final role in Microsoft Research.
Photo courtesy of Dennis Adler
Microsoft veteran Dan Fay made an indelible impact on the technology landscape as a member of Microsoft Research. From his early days in Germany to pioneering projects like Worldwide Telescope and Azure for Research for Microsoft, this exclusive interview highlights his contributions to science and technology.
Photo courtesy of Dan Fay
Anders Hejlsberg, the mastermind behind Turbo Pascal, C#, and TypeScript, shares his incredible journey from Denmark to Microsoft. Learn how his innovations have transformed software development and empowered millions of programmers worldwide. Don't miss this exclusive insight into the mind of a true tech pioneer.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
In 1991, Richard “Rick” Rashid was recruited by Microsoft to establish Microsoft Research. Despite initial doubts, he was convinced by Nathan Myhrvold and Gordon Bell to join. During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of basic research and its long-term value, advocating for pushing the frontiers of knowledge and the need for collaboration between researchers and product teams. During this exclusive interview, Rick highlights significant achievements, such as the development of a search engine and advancements in speech-to-speech translation using deep neural networks. He also reflects on the growth and global expansion of Microsoft Research.
Photo courtesy of Rick Rashid
S. “Soma” Somasegar joined Microsoft in 1989, starting in the OS/2 team and later transitioning to the Windows NT project, where he worked on memory management and file systems and reflects on creating a groundbreaking 32-bit operating system. Soma also talks about leading the Developer Division, emphasizing the importance of developers to Microsoft's success, and his pride of enabling distributed development and advocating for tapping into global talent, particularly in India. His efforts led to the establishment of Microsoft's R&D centers in India, China, Israel, and other locations, significantly contributing to the company's growth.
Photo courtesy of Soma Somasegar
Michelle September is a trailblazer who rose from apartheid-era South Africa to become a global leader at Microsoft. In this interview, Michelle shares how curiosity, resilience, and a passion for public service shaped her career—from her first IT job to influencing government policy and empowering communities through technology. She testifies about the transformative power of opportunity, the enduring impact of mission-driven work and lifting others as you rise.
Photo courtesy of Michelle September
In this exclusive interview, Charles Stevens shares how one conversation with Steve Ballmer changed everything. Charles reflects on his 22-year career at Microsoft, beginning in 1984 as a product manager for Microsoft Word. He played a pivotal role in launching and growing Microsoft Office, leading the creation of Access, and expanding Enterprise Sales globally. His leadership extended to running Microsoft’s Far East operations, where he championed localization and cultural integration.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Allison Watson, a trailblazer for women in tech, reflects on her 26-year journey at Microsoft, rising from entry-level sales to Corporate VP. She shares pivotal moments—from launching the Microsoft Partner Network and transforming global partner relations. Under her leadership, the partner ecosystem grew from a few thousand to more than 600,000 organizations across 160+ countries.
Photo courtesy of Allison Watson
From drying silverware at his family’s Boston restaurant to becoming Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Capossela’s journey is a masterclass in humility, hustle, and heart. In this episode of Microsoft Alumni Voices, Chris reflects on his 32-year Microsoft career—from driving a U-Haul across the U.S. to demo Office, to working alongside Bill Gates, to helping shape the company’s cultural and cloud transformation under Satya Nadella. Hear how a waiter’s instinct to read the room became a leadership superpower, and why Chris believes the best legacy isn’t a name on a product, but the people you help rise.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
From a dart thrown at a map to a decades-long career shaping the future of computing—Jon DeVaan's journey is anything but ordinary. In this compelling episode of Microsoft Alumni Voices, Jon reflects on his 29-year Microsoft career, from debugging early versions of Excel to leading engineering excellence across Windows and Office. Hear how a math major from Oregon State helped pioneer the daily build, championed collaborative leadership, and navigated the chaos of Longhorn and the vision of Windows 8. Jon shares what it means to build not just great software, but great teams.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Step into the early days of Microsoft with Pete Higgins, one of the driving forces behind Excel and Office. In this candid episode of Microsoft Alumni Voices, Pete shares how a Stanford MBA, a love for graph paper, and a leap of faith led him to a scrappy startup in Redmond—long before it became a tech titan. From battling Lotus 1-2-3 to pioneering the Office suite, Pete reveals the grit, innovation, and culture that shaped Microsoft’s rise. Hear how bold bets, relentless iteration, and a startup spirit built tools that changed the way we work and still power the world today.
Photo courtesy of Pete Higgins
From a summer job on the Windows 95 launch to nearly three decades shaping some of Microsoft’s most iconic products, Debbie Thiel shares a journey defined by curiosity, creativity, and conviction. In this episode of Microsoft Alumni Voices, Debbie reflects on her path from international studies major to product leader across Windows, Casual Games, Xbox, and Microsoft 365. Hear, how she helped bring coherence to Office, championed inclusive design, and led with empathy through the COVID Pandemic and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Thiel
Lisa Brummel’s 25-year Microsoft career is a masterclass in curiosity, courage, and connection. From her early days in product development to an unexpected pivot into HR leadership, Lisa shares how she helped shape Microsoft’s culture—one listening tour, whiteboard session, and bold idea at a time. In this candid and inspiring Microsoft Alumni Voices story, she reflects on the power of people, the evolution of technology, and the legacy of learning that defined her journey. Watch now to hear how a floppy disk sparked a career—and how a putter sealed her next chapter.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Brummel
Buck Ferguson joined Microsoft in 1983 and played a pivotal role in shaping the original Microsoft Redmond campus. In this Microsoft Alumni Voices feature, Buck shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a patch of wooded land became a thriving tech hub—and how the vision for a collaborative, community-driven campus came to life. From negotiating with city officials to designing star-shaped buildings for maximum sunlight, Buck’s journey is filled with grit, humor, and heart. Watch as he reflects on Microsoft’s early days, the IPO, and the legacy of building not just offices, but a culture.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Alumni Network
Lucas Joppa grew up in a small Wisconsin town surrounded by forests and a deep respect for nature. That early connection sparked a lifelong passion for the environment—one that led him to become Microsoft’s first Chief Environmental Officer. In this Microsoft Alumni Voices story, Lucas shares how a college course on species extinction changed his life, how he helped launch Microsoft’s AI for Earth initiative, and why he believes sustainability and technology must go hand in hand. From Peace Corps service in Malawi to building global ecosystem models at Microsoft, Lucas’s journey is a powerful reminder that purpose and innovation can shape a better world.
Photo courtesy of Lucas Joppa
When Jon Shirley joined Microsoft in 1983 as President and COO, the company had just 350 employees and $50 million in revenue. Over the next seven years, he helped transform it into a billion-dollar powerhouse. In this candid Microsoft Alumni Voices interview, Jon reflects on bringing structure to a fast-growing startup, building the original Redmond campus, and mentoring future leaders. From his early days at RadioShack to shaping Microsoft’s culture and operations, Jon’s story is one of vision and quiet leadership. Hear how he helped lay the foundation for the Microsoft we know today, and why he still believes the best is yet to come.
Photo courtesy of Jon Shirley
Share your stories and photos
With more than 290,000 alumni throughout the world, there are plenty of stories to tell. Help us tell yours! The Microsoft Alumni Network and Microsoft are collecting oral histories, stories and photos of OG Microsoft employees and swag, product launches and team photos for potential use as part of Microsoft’s 50th celebration and the Microsoft Alumni Voices initiative.
