Powering the Trillion-Dollar Shift: Honoring 50 Years of Women Who Changed Microsoft—and the World

Geek Wire

16-05-2025

This year, as Microsoft celebrates its 50th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on not just the products, technology, and breakthroughs that have shaped the world—but the people behind them. Specifically, the thousands of women whose brilliance, courage, and tenacity have powered Microsoft's trillion-dollar shift and helped democratize technology for billions worldwide.
Throughout my 25-year career at Microsoft, I've been fortunate to lead, collaborate with, and learn from so many extraordinary women. I've also had countless conversations about the challenges and opportunities we face—whether it's navigating corporate systems, managing emotional labor, or finding our voice in an industry that was not originally built for us.
These conversations have changed me. They've shown me how often women's stories remain untold, and how much farther we need to go to build a truly inclusive tech ecosystem.
That's why initiatives like the #empowHER50 campaign is so important. This campaign recognizes 50 remarkable women who have shaped Microsoft's success and the broader digital economy. Their stories remind us that true innovation happens when access is democratized and barriers are dismantled.
Why I Launched Charged: Women in Action
Inspired by the stories and struggles I witnessed over the years, I felt a responsibility to do more. Last year, I launched Charged: Women in Action, a video interview series designed to inspire and empower women—and their allies—to navigate tech careers successfully.
This series features conversations with exceptional women leaders across industries and backgrounds. Together, we address real-world challenges like emotional labor, workplace exclusion, leadership burnout, and career roadblocks—topics that aren't often discussed openly but are lived experiences for millions of women in technology.
We also spotlight women who are Leveraging Tech for Good, using their expertise to create lasting social and economic impact in underrepresented communities.
By surfacing these conversations, I aim to lead by example and advocate for empathetic leadership, inclusive work environments, and tangible solutions to help women thrive—not only in their careers but in their lives.
Microsoft's Top 5 Ideas for Democratizing Access & Empowering Women
Over the past five decades, Microsoft has pioneered initiatives that go beyond technology to build a more equitable digital economy. Here are five of the most impactful ideas and programs that are shaping the future:
1. Embedding Accessibility at the Core of Innovation
Accessibility has been a Microsoft priority since 1995, but under leaders like Jenny Lay-Flurrie, it became an enterprise-wide commitment. Microsoft trains every employee in accessibility and shares that learning with over 5 million people worldwide, ensuring that technology works for everyone—including the 1.3 billion people with disabilities. Innovations like Immersive Reader, Read Aloud, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller are proof that inclusive design benefits all.
2. Investing in Women-Led Economic Access Initiatives
Through strategic partnerships like Women in Cloud, co-founded by Chaitra Vedullapalli, Microsoft has generated over $500 million in economic impact for women entrepreneurs and technologists. Over 120,000 women have been supported globally, and over 5,000 women in 80+ countries have earned Microsoft AI and cybersecurity certifications to advance their careers. Women in Cloud is also leading the AI Skills Fest—a global movement attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the largest AI skills development event.
3. The #empowHER50 Campaign: Honoring Women Powering Microsoft's Trillion-Dollar Transformation
This year's #empowHER50 campaign celebrates 50 current and former Microsoft women whose leadership and innovation helped build the company's trillion-dollar success. From leading AI skilling programs across Europe to developing groundbreaking accessibility initiatives, these honorees reflect the power of democratizing technology access.
4. Advancing Allyship in Support of Inclusion
Gavriella Schuster, during her time at Microsoft, helped to elevate and scale allyship efforts, including mentorship rings, training, and leadership networks like The WIT Network. These programs continue to grow because of the collective effort of leaders, communities, and allies working together.
5. Elevating Real Stories Through Media and Public Dialogue
Initiatives like my Charged: Women in Action series, Sabina Nawaz's executive coaching work and publications, and Chaitra Vedullapalli's Women in Cloud movement are all part of Microsoft's broader strategy to humanize leadership and make conversations about equity, inclusion, and access mainstream. By sharing real voices and lived experiences, we can shift workplace culture and build environments where women are heard, valued, and empowered.
A Call to Action: A Blueprint for the Next 50 Years
The #empowHER50 campaign is about building the future. It's a call to action for companies, policymakers, investors, and global citizens to invest in a digital economy that works for everyone. It is a reminder that inclusion is not a charity—it is a growth strategy. And the future of AI must be built by many hands, many voices, and many stories.
As we celebrate Microsoft's 50-year milestone, let's remember that the most powerful technology we've built is the one that unlocks human potential. And that potential is limitless when we democratize access to powerful innovations.
As we look toward the next 50 years, I believe we must continue to lead with empathy, visibility, economic access and action. That means:
Telling the untold stories.
Investing in skilling, mentorship, and entrepreneurship for underrepresented groups.
Building accessible, inclusive technologies by design.
Making allyship a business strategy, not a side initiative.
Because when women rise, we all rise.
Join us on July 18, 2025, at the empowHERaccess Awards and MS50 Recognition Gala to celebrate the women who helped shape Microsoft and the global tech industry—and connect with those building what's next.
🔗 Reserve your seat
Their stories shaped our present. Our leadership will shape their future.