Meet Pavan Davuluri: The New Leader of Microsoft's Windows Division

Pavan Davuluri, an alumnus of IIT Madras, has been appointed as the new head of Microsoft's Windows and Surface division.

This follows the departure of Panos Panay, who previously led the department and joined Amazon last year.

Microsoft divided the Windows and Surface groups, each under separate leadership, with Davuluri taking over both roles.

Davuluri's Background and Indian Connection:

•    Pavan Davuluri graduated from IIT Madras, adding an Indian connection to his leadership role in a major tech company.
•    He now joins the ranks of other Indians holding prominent leadership positions in US-based tech companies, such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.

Internal Communication Regarding Leadership Changes:

•    An internal letter by Rajesh Jha, Microsoft's head of experience and devices, announced Mikhail Parakhin's departure and Davuluri's new role.
•    Parakhin's departure was mentioned, and Davuluri's appointment as the leader of the combined Windows Experiences and Windows + Devices teams was highlighted.

Organizational Restructuring:

•    The merger of Windows Experiences and Windows + Devices into the Experiences + Devices (E+D) division was aimed at a holistic approach to developing systems, experiences, and devices for the AI era.
•    Davuluri's leadership role in this division indicates a strategic shift towards integrating Windows and Surface efforts under a unified vision.

Roles and Reporting Structure:

•    Pavan Davuluri will lead the combined Windows and Surface teams, reporting directly to Rajesh Jha.
•    Shilpa Ranganathan and Jeff Johnson, along with their teams, will report directly to Davuluri, emphasizing a streamlined reporting structure.

Transition and Exploration of New Roles:

•    Mikhail Parakhin will explore new roles under Kevin Scott's supervision, transitioning from his previous role within the Windows and Web Experiences (WWE) team.
•    This transition reflects Microsoft's commitment to facilitating career growth and exploring new opportunities for its employees.

Integration with Microsoft AI:

•    The Windows team's collaboration with the Microsoft AI team on AI, silicon, and experiences indicates a strategic alignment with Microsoft's broader objectives in the AI space.
•   The integration aims to leverage AI technologies to enhance Windows and Surface products and services.

Excitement about AI Integration:

•    Rajesh Jha expressed excitement about integrating AI products like Copilot into E+D products and services, aligning with Microsoft AI's objectives.
•    This highlights Microsoft's commitment to innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance user experiences.

Emphasis on Holistic Development:

•    The emphasis on holistic development across systems, experiences, and devices underscores Microsoft's strategic focus on delivering comprehensive solutions for the evolving needs of users in the AI era.

Continued Leadership and Collaboration:

•      Various leaders and their teams' reporting structures were mentioned in the internal communication, emphasizing continued collaboration and alignment across different divisions within Microsoft.