Summary

Satya Nadella, born on August 19, 1967, in Hyderabad, India, is the visionary leader behind Microsoft's resurgence as a global tech powerhouse. Since becoming the CEO in 2014, he has transformed Microsoft from a stagnant software giant into a $3tn cloud and AI leader–more than any US publicly traded company, including its longtime rival Apple.

Personal Information

Achievements and Major Timelines:

• 1992: He joined Microsoft where he worked initially on the development of Windows NT, a landmark operating system that was aimed primarily at business users.
• 1999: He was named vice president of the Microsoft Central small-business service.
• 2001: He became corporate vice president of Microsoft Business Solutions.
• 2007: He was elevated to senior vice president of research and development for the company’s online service division.
• 2014: He was appointed CEO and shifted Microsoft’s focus from Windows-centric models to Cloud-first, AI-driven growth.
• 2020: He won the Global Indian Business Icon Award at CNBC TV18's India Business Leader Awards in Mumbai.
• 2021: He became the Chairman of Microsoft.
• 2022: He received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India.

Challenges and Controversies

One of the first challenges Nadella faced as CEO was transitioning Microsoft from a company primarily focused on personal computing to one that prioritized cloud computing and mobile technology. This required a significant shift in the company’s strategy and culture.

Nadella has overseen several large-scale acquisitions, including LinkedIn and GitHub. Managing these acquisitions and integrating them into Microsoft’s existing operations was a significant challenge.

Microsoft has faced several antitrust issues in various markets, and navigating these legal challenges has been a significant part of Nadella’s role as CEO.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

He has been married to Anupama Nadella since 1992; they have two daughters. Their son, Zain, who had cerebral palsy, passed away in 2022.

Satya Nadella is on the board of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Chicago's board of trustees.

All the money from his book Hit Refresh was donated to Microsoft Philanthropies.