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.
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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
