Featured Stories

Microsoft alumna Liat Ben-Zur has been on the bleeding edge of change since she started her career. Today, with her Seattle-based company LBZ Advisory, she’s helping other business leaders embrace the transformational power of AI at breakneck speeds.

Microsoft alumnus Subrata Biswas leads Cimba.AI, an early-stage startup that is reimagining how AI and analytics can transform business operations.

Microsoft alum Josh Weisberg heads up artificial intelligence initiatives at Zillow. From the Zestimate to multi-modal interaction to the Zillow Immerse app, Josh and his team at the Seattle-based real estate tech giant leverage AI to improve the home-buying experience.

Throughout his career at Microsoft, Kerushan Govender witnessed firsthand how technology can liberate individuals by providing them with the tools to gain professional and financial independence. Kerushan did two separate stints at Microsoft and was area lead in Dubai, responsible for the SMS&P Public Sector business across the Middle East and Africa when he left the company in 2015.

Avid motorcyclist and Microsoft alumnus Jeff Henshaw gathered his fellow Microsofties for a ride through the Skagit Valley 23 years ago. That ride became an annual tradition that Seattle Humane officials call one of the nonprofit's most significant fundraising events. He’s revved up to do it again.

Julie Nell is a troop leader for Troop 6000 in Nashville, an arm of the Girl Scouts that serves girls in homeless shelters. The Microsoft alum also uses the skills she learned during her 18 years at the company when she volunteers at the Safe Haven homeless shelter, which is where her troop is based.

Kevin Espirito’s journey post-Microsoft includes starting nonprofit We Bloom in Indiana. Together, he and his wife have grown the organization, which now includes 19 Recovery Cafés in Indiana.

Charles Van De Weghe, now retired from a 23-year career at Microsoft, puts his tech skills to use in the nonprofit sector as the volunteer IT guy for nonprofit organizations in his home state of Wisconsin.

As Vice President of People and Culture and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with the Seattle Mariners, Microsoft alumna Katherine Cheng is making big, intentional plays to bring people together.

In 2020, following the death of George Floyd, Mike Sealy became the diversity, equity and inclusion lead for London-based Informa Markets. While this was Mike’s first DE&I title, it wasn’t his first time working on DE&I. Now he’s sharing that experience, emphasizing continued learning and championing why diversity matters.

Microsoft alum Cody Horton continues push for intentionality in hiring a diverse workforce despite blowback on DE&I efforts in the corporate setting. His book, “The Diversity Recruiting Handbook,” is helping show people the way.

As Co-founder and CEO of INRIX, Bryan Mistele is unlocking the power of data and harnessing generative AI to understand — and fix — the world’s traffic and mobility problems. See how a 1980s movie and his time at Microsoft sparked one of the leading mobility intelligence companies.

Noelle Russell learned by doing. The Microsoft alum’s own career has evolved along the bleeding edge of technology. Now, she’s helping others embrace artificial intelligence with her company, the AI Leadership Institute.

Microsoft alum Michael Kogeler is using digital twins, artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to tackle climate challenges. As the CEO of climate technology startup Nedamco Africa, he is helping African nations meet environmental challenges and capitalize on climate action.

Microsoft alum Anders Brown is entering his second year as chairman of the board of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. He initially was recruited to the board to put his tech prowess to work creating new experiences for visitors to boost visitor’s passion for wildlife conservation.

After changing the world at Microsoft, Jacques Bonjawo wanted to change the trajectory of young people in his native Cameroon. He started the Ocean Innovation Center, a tech incubator or sorts, to help foster a startup economy in the African nation.

Microsoft alumnus Frank McCosker is invested in helping African companies find partners and investors to expand information and communication technology in Africa — where he sees the biggest need and potential for the biggest impact.

Belén Muñiz Mazaira wants children and their parents to play together — online. Through her company, 9th Land, Microsoft alumna is creating space for young children to learn, along with their parents, how to enjoy digital content in a safe way.

Microsoft alum Jim Bowyer is a software engineer and a developer. Recently, Jim set sail with Mercy Ships to put those technical skills to work. He encourages other alumni to act with him and help nonprofits that need IT support, including Mercy Ships.

As the senior director and chief of staff of HR Services and Digital Employee Experiences at Microsoft, Amy Strande orchestrates a team that is committed to creating and delivering exceptional employee experiences that empower our people to achieve more. 

Manuela Papadopol — or MP, as she likes to be called — has joined the Alumni Network as its new executive director. She took time to share more about her history, what she’s passionate about and what she’s looking forward to in her new role.

Microsoft alumni Chuck Hirsh is the longest serving Microsoft Alumni Network trustee with more than 20 years on the board. He’s a big fan of the Alumni Network and all of the things alumni can do when we bring “the band back together again.”

Brian Hawker started United Sports Seattle while he was working at Microsoft. The goal of the alum’s nonprofit is to create a safe space in sports for members of the LGBTQ+ youth community. Now he’s leading efforts to host the National Flag Football Association’s Gay Bowl XXIII in Seattle in October.

When Bob Muglia stepped down from his role as CEO of Snowflake in 2019, he didn’t walk away from the tech industry. He doubled down on his roles as an advisor, board member and investor to help other companies bring innovative new ideas to life. And he started writing his first book, “The Datapreneurs: The Promise of AI and the Creators Building Our Future.”

Paul Sausville currently runs a management consulting practice focused on helping clients expand their business by developing new strategies and business plans. From his experience at Microsoft, AT&T, NCR and other companies, Paul has a strong focus on understanding customer needs, coupled with a demonstrated track record of developing strategic plans and delivering results.

Microsoft alum Blair Bryant has lived and worked around the world, and he always brings a 270-horsepower reminder of home with him - his classic 1957 Ford Thunderbird. Now, he's restored it to near mint condition and is competing in road rallies in Australia.

When Bev Hess was 52, she took up running to help "re-energize" herself. She's run 5K, 10k, half marathons, full marathons and triathlons. Now, the Microsoft alum is on a quest to complete five of the world's most iconic marathons before she turns 70.

Microsoft alum Kazam Ali is an infrastructure engineer for TextNow in Texas. But when the work day is done, he sheds his keyboard and picks up the bass as a member of the cover band Saved by the 90s.

Microsoft alumna Stella Graham unplugged from the tech scene and fully embraced her funny side. Now, she’s making people around the world giggle and guffaw in places like the Laugh in the Box in London. Learn more about Stella’s career as a stand-up comedienne.

Christine Zmuda began exploring art through music while she was working as a global sales leader at Microsoft. The colors and strokes that covered the canvases she created evoked the emotions of songs from The Stones to Bocelli and gained acclaim. When she left Microsoft earlier this year, she followed her passion full-time and opened Art Gallery by Z in the Washington D.C. area.

Akhtar Badshah is an expert on social impact, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility and international development, an author and an artist. Akhtar spent a decade at Microsoft as senior director of Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs. He administered the company’s global community investment and employee programs, which included gifts of cash, services and software to nonprofits around the world.

When Anu Bhambri left her job at Microsoft, she knew she wanted to do one thing: change the perception of Indian food for the American palate. Armed with lessons learned at Microsoft, she and her husband Vikram founded Good Times Restaurants LLC in 2016. Now, six restaurants strong and more on the horizon, Anu and Vikram are well on their way to accomplishing this goal.

Prime 8 co-founders Drew and Nicolette Sharp wanted to grow their consulting firm. Delightful Communications co-founders Ashley Seffernick and Mel Carson wanted to sell their business. Now, the Microsoft alumni are forging a strong partnership based on their shared Microsoft experiences.

Tech industry volunteers are the backbone of Microsoft’s TEALS Program, which provides equitable computer science programs for high school students around the world. Mike Hellrich is among the scores of Microsoft alumni helping create a pathway to economic opportunity.

Microsoft alum and serial entrepreneur Shirish Nadkarni is taking a closer look at giant online marketplaces such as Alibaba, Amazon and eBay in his latest book, “Winner Takes All: Case studies in how online marketplaces are creating modern monopolies.” He shares lessons learned in starting and running multi-sided marketplaces, how to thrive and, even, cautionary tales of power when one big player dominates the market. We caught up with Shirish to chat about his latest book.

Mike Brewer joined Microsoft in 2004 and currently runs Microsoft’s Employee Giving Volunteer Program as part of the Microsoft Philanthropies group. Prior to his current role, he managed some of Microsoft’s most visible digital marketing channels including the Microsoft.com Home Page and formerly served in the Air Force from 1998-2003 before moving home to Seattle to start his career at Microsoft. Mike views it a privilege to help others realize their potential to make a difference in our local and global community.

Mike Fridgen started and sold his first two companies while still an undergrad at U.W. Now, years later, Mike is sharing his lessons as a serial entrepreneur — and from his time at Microsoft — with other startup leaders as managing director of Madrona Venture Labs.

Chelsey Roney always knew she wanted to be her own boss. At a very early age she started side hustles by cat sitting and giving swim lessons. While studying at Texas A&M, she met Melinda Haughey. Later, they would launch Proxi, an interactive mapping app. Now in its second year with 1.9 million in venture capital under its belt, Proxi has big plans to change the way we search and discover on local.

Mitch Tolson, former head of Devices and Engineering Services at Microsoft, is passionate about two things: people and robotics. His early-stage startup Ally Robotics has raised $13 million and will begin manufacturing later this year. Mitch attributes much of Ally’s success to his transparent and team-oriented leadership style.

In February, Dee Dee Walsh and her cohorts completed the sale of Mobilze.NET to Snowflake and its Application Migration Unit to Growth Acceleration Partners. Dee Dee is now head of business development and developer marketing at Growth Acceleration Partners.

Carol Leiby has volunteered with nonprofit Tirzah International for a whopping 23 years. As a trainer for 10 years, she traveled to six countries in Africa. She introduced technology to many women who had never seen a computer or heard of email. She also helped empower women by teaching them skills like jewelry making and quilting. Now retired and taking care of a family member, Carol still contributes through her generous donations, helping get new initiatives off the ground and advocacy.

Providing technical and organizational assistance to grassroots groups that help military families has become something like a second career for Tim Selby. A military spouse himself, this Microsoft alum is helping the Stronghold Food Pantry scale and alleviate food insecurity for military families worldwide.

After a long and fulfilling career in high tech for companies like Boeing and Microsoft, Estrada Colón wanted to give back to her community by applying the leadership skills she learned. As vice president of the Puget Sound WildCare board of directors she has helped the nonprofit develop operational structure, as well as using her Microsoft experience to help pass inspections from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. She’s now turning her focus giving back to her community: the Seattle south end.

After 28 years at Microsoft, Keith Partington has immersed himself in civic involvement. He’s thankful Microsoft baked giving of time, talent and treasure into its culture and that the Microsoft Alumni Network also supports members’ volunteer efforts, including his work with Rochester Accessible Adventures.

In her role as executive director of Dirty Freehub, Linda English is all about connecting people who love to cycle with their environment. The Microsoft alum has curated more than 10,000 miles of picturesque gravel routes to get people outdoors.

Mike started at Microsoft in 1992 in Finance and worked through several different roles as he focused in on Microsoft’s Digital Transformation developing the teams, processes and technical financial solutions to sell direct consumption-based services from Live Meeting to O365. After 27 years, he left Microsoft in 2022 as the partner GM of operations where he most recently focused on digital safety from content moderation to corruption and fraud detection.

Microsoft alumna Seema Khinda Johnson co-founded her London-based FinTech firm Nuggets to foil digital pirates. Now, Seema — and Nuggets — is gaining recognition in verified self-sovereign decentralized identity with their super wallet.

Meera Bhatia started her job as COO of Fabletics, of one of the fastest-growing athleisure brands just as the world, went into lockdown because of the pandemic. The Microsoft alumna doubled down on bringing her authentic self to work as she guided her team virtually while dealing with supply chain challenges and more.

Dorothee Ritz is committed to making a difference in the world, whether it’s her day job working at one of Europe’s largest green energy company, E.ON Deutschland or her volunteering at NGO Plan International. She credits her 17 years at Microsoft for her success.

Joni Ngai isn’t happy unless she’s pushing her limits and learning new things. The digital marketing expert recently moved on from her position as CEO of Reprise China and is ready for her next challenge.

Tameka McNair was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her journey as the “first” of her family for many milestones and so often the “only” African American woman engineer in a corporate setting has had an indelible effect on her life philosophy, career aspirations and personal mission – to empower every person to find their purpose and be their best self. Tameka is currently a director of program management in HR for the VivaHR Employee Experiences team at Microsoft. She draws from her diverse professional experience in a variety of industries, such as energy, retail and manufacturing.

We’ve all been in the meeting when everyone saying something was more important than listening. Microsoft alumnus Oscar Trimboli wants to help everyone unlock their listening superpowers and create 100 million deep listeners in the workplace. In his latest book, “How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication,” gives readers practical tips helps them become better listeners in the workplace. We caught up with Oscar to chat about his latest book.

Microsoft alumna Jewel Ifeguni holds a rarified position at the intersection of gaming, technology and filmmaking. She’s using her gifts as a storyteller to inspire others, encourage empathy and promote inclusion.

Microsoft alumni David Tagliani and Frank Schott have teamed again to bring technology and aid to Ukraine. David has boots on the ground in the war-torn country. Frank is raising funds in the Pacific Northwest.

Microsoft alumnus Chike Farrell uses the skills learned throughout his career to help the people from his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago and beyond. Caribbean Ideas is the umbrella for a small family of subsidiaries that strive to help people in Caribbean achieve more.

Microsoft alumna Whitney Cubbison started her 16-year career at Microsoft in Redmond and three years in moved to Paris. Now, she’s published “Will There Be Wine?” It’s a laugh-out-loud look at an expat American divorcée’s adventures living and working in Paris that are inspired by her own “dating misadventures” as an expat American divorcée living and working in Paris. We caught up with her to talk more about publishing her first novel.