Microsoft's new CEO and Chair

Think about one of the most successful businesses on the planet today and one that clearly recognises its global customer base and recognises talent. Can there be more of a positive message than this global company’s leading two figures being African American and Indian American?

This month’s appointment of Indian born Satya Nadella as the new CEO of Microsoft was a positive and clear statement of the wealth of talent which exists and the significant global contributions we are making.

Nadella, who was born in Hyderabad is a computer scientist and has been working in Microsoft for over 20 years, and in the last decade, was one of the key players in Microsoft’s dynamic transition to cloud computing systems. His ordinary background and hardworking ethos make him an inspirational figure and his appointment makes him the ninth Asian executive at the helm of a Fortune 500 company.

The other member of the dynamic duo who will head up the world’s biggest software company will be African-American, John W. Thompson who will become Microsoft’s Chair. 

Thompson is one of the least-known, but most successful black corporate executives. He will have very large shoes to fill, moving into the role formerly occupied by Bill Gates. However Thompson’s lifelong career and achievements more than equips him to excel in this role.  With over 30 years experience in the industry, Thompson is best known for taking Symantec, a middling antivirus software maker best known for its Norton Utilities into the Fortune 500.

Despite the limited presence of African Americans, they have played key roles in Silicon Valley’s history. These include pioneers such as Roy Clay who built the first computer lab for Hewlett-Packard in the 1960s, Frank Greene, who was one of the first microchip designers, and Gerald Lawson who created the first video game console in the 1970s.

Nadella and Thompson’s ascension to the leadership of this global powerhouse is undoubtedly inspirational. In their success, we see the possibility of our own success. At a time when many are looking for role models to emulate, Nadella and Thompson are certainly wonderful ones.
 
For companies like Microsoft,  this is a million miles away from political  correctness – this is about – brilliant individuals, and a global brand, which equals diversity.

Francine Fernandes