The leadership journey of Asha Sharma began with a strong academic foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. That grounding in business strategy, operational rigor, and organizational leadership would later become the backbone of her executive career.
But what sets Asha Sharma apart is not just academic preparation—it is her ability to operate at the intersection of technology, product innovation, and human experience.
Asha Sharma: Building the AI Backbone of the Future
Before assuming leadership of Microsoft Gaming, Asha Sharma served as President of Microsoft’s CoreAI Product. In that role, she oversaw the technologies that power AI across Microsoft and its global enterprise customers.
Her portfolio included transformative platforms such as:
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Azure OpenAI Service
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Azure AI Foundry
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Azure Machine Learning
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Azure AI Services
Under Asha Sharma’s leadership, Microsoft’s AI division did more than deploy models—it built scalable, enterprise-grade AI ecosystems. She championed responsible AI, robust infrastructure, customizable APIs, AI search capabilities, and end-to-end toolchains that empower developers to build, manage, and deploy intelligent applications.
At a time when AI was rapidly expanding into every industry, Asha Sharma insisted on balancing innovation with responsibility. She strengthened Microsoft’s applied and computational engineering teams and accelerated growth strategies that ensured AI wasn’t just powerful—it was practical, secure, and globally scalable.
Her philosophy was simple but powerful: AI must enhance human potential, not replace it.
The Operator Who Scales Giants
Long before her AI leadership at Microsoft, Asha Sharma proved herself as a world-class operator.
At Instacart, she served as Chief Operating Officer, holding full P&L responsibility for a $30+ billion gross merchandise value business. She oversaw product, design, data science, research, marketing, operations, and customer support—guiding the company through its IPO and solidifying its position as a market leader.
Previously at Meta, Asha Sharma served as Vice President of Product and Engineering. There, she led global messaging platforms including Messenger and Instagram Direct, scaling products used by billions worldwide. Her leadership spanned communication technology, video calling, remote presence, and company-wide platform services—complex systems requiring technical precision and user empathy.
At Porch Group, she played a pivotal role in the company’s $1 billion public debut, further cementing her reputation as a leader who could scale businesses from growth to public markets.
Across each role, one pattern remained clear: Asha Sharma builds platforms that connect people.
Asha Sharma: A Historic Transition – Leading Microsoft Gaming
On February 20, 2026, Asha Sharma assumed one of the most significant roles in interactive entertainment: Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming. She succeeded longtime leader Phil Spencer, who retired after 38 years with the company.
This was not merely a leadership change—it was a generational transition.
Under her leadership, Asha Sharma now oversees:
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Xbox Game Studios
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ZeniMax Media (including Bethesda)
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Activision Blizzard
The scale is enormous. The legacy is profound. And the expectations are high.
Yet Asha Sharma stepped into the role with a message that resonated across the gaming world: humility and urgency.
The Three Commitments Defining Asha Sharma’s Xbox Era
In her first address as CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Asha Sharma outlined three foundational commitments.
1. Great Games Come First
Asha Sharma made it clear: everything begins with great games.
Unforgettable characters. Stories that move us. Innovation that surprises us.
She promoted Matt Booty to Chief Content Officer to reinforce this commitment—placing creative excellence at the center of strategy. Her stance is unmistakable: technology supports art; it does not replace it.
Despite her deep AI background, she has publicly stated she has “no tolerance for bad AI.” In her words, games are art—crafted by humans, empowered by technology.
That distinction matters.
2. The Return of Xbox
For 25 years, Xbox has represented bold hardware innovation and a renegade spirit within gaming. Asha Sharma pledged to recommit to console hardware and the core Xbox community.
At the same time, she recognizes that gaming now spans PC, mobile, and cloud. Her strategy is not about limiting Xbox to a box under the television—it is about making Xbox seamless across devices while preserving its identity.
She aims to break down barriers for developers so they can build once and reach players everywhere.
It is a strategy rooted in accessibility, loyalty, and expansion—without losing the brand’s DNA.
3. Reinventing the Future of Play
Asha Sharma sees gaming at an inflection point. AI, new monetization models, cross-platform ecosystems—everything is changing.
But her approach is grounded in restraint and purpose.
She has explicitly rejected short-term efficiency tactics and the temptation to flood ecosystems with low-quality, AI-generated content. Instead, she envisions shared platforms and tools that empower both developers and players to co-create stories.
Her words signal a leader who values long-term cultural impact over short-term gains.
Board Leadership and Broader Influence
Beyond Microsoft, Asha Sharma serves on the Board of Directors for:
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The Home Depot
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Coupang
These roles reflect her cross-industry expertise—from retail to global commerce—further broadening her strategic perspective.
She is not confined to one domain; she operates across ecosystems.