Microsoft has a new strategy chief to navigate its AI era
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is moving the companyas HR chief, Kathleen Hogan, into a new role focused on corporate strategy. Announced in an internal memo to Microsoft employees this morning, Hogan will report directly to Nadella and be responsible for strategy and transformation.
Hogan has been at Microsoft for more than 20 years and spent the past decade as the companyas chief people officer. She helped usher in a new work culture at Microsoft and took on the head of HR role shortly after Nadella became CEO in 2014. Now, Hogan has to steer strategy through the rapid changes of Microsoftas AI era.
Microsoft hasnat had someone in charge of corporate strategy for quite some time, so this is an interesting change. Iad have to think back to the Mark Penn and Steve Ballmer days to find a role thatas somewhat similar to what Hogan is taking on. Penn was responsible for strategy across Microsoftas consumer-facing businesses, and he was behind the companyas anti-Google aScroogleda effort before departing in 2015. I donat think weare going to see anything similar from Hogan, though.
a[Hogan] is recognized externally as a consequential HR leader transforming cu …