Microsoft has announced the appointment of Asha Sharma, of Indian origin, as the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Sharma’s appointment adds to the growing list of Indian-origin leaders heading major global technology companies.
In a statement, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella praised Sharma’s extensive experience in building and scaling platforms that reach billions worldwide. Nadella highlighted her previous roles, including Chief Operating Officer at Instacart and Vice President at Meta, emphasizing her expertise in operating at a global scale and aligning business models for long-term growth.
Sharma will succeed Phil Spencer and will report directly to Nadella. Nadella reflected on Microsoft’s long-standing legacy in gaming, noting that gaming has been integral to the company’s history since before Windows, citing innovations from Flight Simulator to DirectX.
Expressing her outlook, Sharma said she approaches her new role with “humility and urgency,” recognizing the exceptional work of her team and the rapid pace of change in the gaming industry. She emphasized her commitment to delivering great games, revitalizing Xbox, and shaping the future of play.
Sharma called gaming a medium that brings joy and deep personal meaning to millions and outlined her vision to innovate through new business models and ways to play, while maintaining the art and craft of game development. She stressed that as monetization and AI evolve, Microsoft will focus on creating meaningful, human-crafted experiences rather than short-term efficiencies or soulless AI-driven content.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Sharma served as COO of Instacart and held a leadership role at Meta overseeing Messenger, Instagram Direct, Messenger Kids, and other platform services. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Sharma’s appointment reflects the increasing influence of Indian-origin executives in global technology leadership, alongside figures such as Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, Shantanu Narayen, and Nikesh Arora.