Three things to know about Microsoft’s new CPO Amy Coleman
Satya Nadella announced a C-suite leadership reshuffle at Microsoft this week, appointing Amy Coleman as its new Chief People Officer. Former global HR boss Kathleen Hogan will become Executive Vice President of Strategy and Transformation.
There's been a lot of change in Microsoft's HR function.
Amy Coleman has been appointed as global CPO, 25 years after she first joined Microsoft as a compensation manager in 1996.
Here's the inside track: Meet Microsoft's new top HR leader.
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All eyes were on Microsoft this week as it unveiled industry veteran Amy Coleman as its new CPO.
The former CVP, Human Resources and Corporate Functions at Microsoft, replaces Kathleen Hogan, who had held the CPO role for the past decade.
Here we round up three things to know about Microsoft’s new global HR leader.
1. The senior leadership switch was prompted by ‘times of great change’
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, shared the news with staff via a blog post in which he pointed to the current world of work being beset by “times of great change”.
“Our industry require us to have a mindset that enables us to continually adapt and transform ourselves,” he wrote.
“There’s no question that we are at the forefront of another such moment, with the rapid changes across every industry and business function in this AI era.
“This means we must have the right product portfolio, the right business models, attract and retain top talent, and optimize our processes to meet changing customer expectations and succeed in the marketplace.
“With this context, I’ve asked Kathleen Hogan to transition to a new role focused on defining our overarching corporate strategy and structure and leading our continuous transformation as a company.
“Kathleen will assume a new role as EVP, Office of Strategy and Transformation, reporting to me.”
In an updated post on Microsoft’s leadership site, the $245.1 billion tech leader said Coleman will now focus on “empowering 220,000+ global employees to achieve Microsoft’s mission”.
2. Her promotion marks her 25-year anniversary at Microsoft
Writing on LinkedIn, Coleman shared that her promotion comes as she is marking her 25-year anniversary at the vendor giant.
Coleman has had two separate tenures at Microsoft.
She originally joined the company in 1996 as a compensation manager. In her most recent role, she served as Corporate Vice President for Human Resources and Corporate Functions.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described her as “a trusted advisor” who played a key role in coordinating cross-company initiatives to shape Microsoft’s culture.
And outgoing CPO Kathleen Hogan praised Coleman as “perfectly suited” to take the helm as the head of Microsoft’s HR function.
Sharing her enthusiasm for the transition, Coleman expressed on LinkedIn, “I’m excited for the future of Microsoft HR and can’t wait to see what this next chapter will bring!”
3. Amy Coleman will share her insights on transformational leadership in-person at UNA 2025
UNLEASH are proud to share that Amy Coleman will join us as a key member of our UNLEASH America Speaker faculty this May in Las Vegas from 6-8 May.
She will be sharing her experiences and insights into transformational leadership on the Main Stage in a panel on how HR can provide courageous leadership in shaping the workforce of tomorrow.
The session will be moderated by AI futurist and Global Fellow for Transformation at Singularity University, Gary Bolles.
If you’re a HR Leader and want to join Coleman’s session, UNLEASH America 2025 is taking place from 6-8 May in Las Vegas.
Nima Sherpa Green is a British/Sherpa journalist and editor. She has a multimedia background in newsrooms around the world. She was the UK & EMEA editor of CRN; commissioning editor at The African Business Magazine; producer and reporter at the World Service London Bureau; and reported for Vice Magazine and the Herald Sun in Australia. She has an MA in Journalism from Monash University, Melbourne and a BA in Political History of Southern Africa from the University of Sheffield.
