About Speaker

Satya Nadella is an Indian-American business executive and the CEO of Microsoft, one of the world’s largest and most influential technology companies. Born on August 19, 1967, in Hyderabad, India, he has emerged as a visionary leader, transforming Microsoft since taking over as CEO in 2014.

Early Life and Education:
Nadella was born into a Telugu-speaking family in Hyderabad. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology in India. He then moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education, obtaining a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Career at Microsoft:
Satya Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and quickly moved up the ranks due to his technical expertise and leadership skills. Before becoming CEO, Nadella held several key roles, including leading the company’s cloud and enterprise group. Under his leadership, Microsoft shifted its focus toward cloud computing, and Nadella spearheaded the growth of Microsoft Azure, which has since become one of the world’s leading cloud platforms.

As CEO:
Nadella took over as CEO from Steve Ballmer in 2014 during a period of stagnation for Microsoft. Under his guidance, Microsoft has experienced a significant cultural transformation, emphasizing collaboration, empathy, and innovation. He has fostered partnerships with competitors like Linux, adopted an open-source mindset, and refocused the company’s efforts on cloud computing, AI, and cross-platform technologies.

Nadella also led major acquisitions, such as:

LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in 2016.
GitHub for $7.5 billion in 2018.
Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in 2022.
These moves have further diversified Microsoft’s portfolio and influence in social networking, gaming, and open-source software.

Leadership Style and Vision:
Nadella is known for his empathetic and growth-focused leadership style, emphasizing a growth mindset both within Microsoft and personally. He focuses on collaboration and inclusivity, steering Microsoft toward becoming a “cloud-first, mobile-first” company. He has also been a vocal advocate for the ethical development of AI and sustainability.

Personal Life:
Nadella is married to Anupama, and they have three children. His personal life, particularly caring for a son with special needs, has influenced his compassionate leadership style. He is an avid reader and cricket fan, drawing parallels between teamwork in sports and the corporate world.

Publications:
Nadella authored the book “Hit Refresh” in 2017, which outlines his journey and his vision for Microsoft’s future, the role of technology in shaping the world, and the importance of empathy in leadership.

Legacy:
Satya Nadella’s tenure has revitalized Microsoft, making it one of the most valuable companies globally. He is widely regarded as one of the top tech CEOs in the world today, credited with steering Microsoft toward innovation and long-term growth while maintaining a focus on social responsibility and ethical technology development.