26 March 2024 – In a strategic move, Microsoft has appointed Pavan Davuluri as the fresh leader for its Windows and Surface divisions, following the departure of Panos Panay and the exploration of new avenues by Mikhail Parakhin, the Team Lead for Windows and web experiences. This decision marks a consolidation of leadership within Microsoft’s core divisions, signaling a unified approach to driving innovation and growth.
Davuluri brings over two decades of experience at Microsoft to his new role, having played a pivotal part in crucial strategic initiatives, including the exploration of custom chip integration for Surface devices in collaboration with Qualcomm and AMD. Reporting directly to Rajesh Jha, head of Microsoft’s experiences and devices division, Davuluri is poised to guide the Windows and Surface teams towards continued success and technological advancement.
The integration of the Windows Experiences and Windows + Devices teams under Davuluri’s leadership underscores Microsoft’s commitment to fostering synergies and driving cohesive strategies across its product ecosystem. This move aligns with Microsoft’s broader vision of leveraging AI-driven innovations to enhance user experiences and propel technological advancements.
Davuluri’s journey to this leadership position is rooted in his academic background, having graduated from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras before pursuing further studies at the University of Maryland. His tenure at Microsoft began in 2001 as a Reliability Component Manager, and over the years, he has risen through the ranks to assume roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in his current leadership role within the Windows and Surface divisions.
As Microsoft continues to chart its course in the AI era of computing, Davuluri’s appointment reflects the company’s commitment to driving innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions to its global user base.
