Kate Maxwell has never seen leadership as a title—it’s a responsibility to lift others while forging bold new paths. Whether in defense, education, or tech, she has consistently turned barriers into bridges and used her platform to unlock opportunity at scale.
Her journey began as a software engineer supporting U.S. Defense and Intelligence missions, where she was often the only woman in the room. As a result of her own experiences, she became a fierce advocate for the underrepresented, raising her voice for women, veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community in spaces not always built for them. That conviction about using her platform and privilege for good would come to define every chapter of her career.
Kate joined Microsoft in 2020 as the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft’s Worldwide Defense & Intelligence industry team. In that role, Kate led the company’s efforts to support allied defense organizations in digital transformation and cloud adoption. Her leadership earned her Microsoft’s prestigious Pinnacle Club award, as well as global recognition, including Technology Magazine’s #1 Woman in Tech in the world distinction in 2023.
Today, as the Industry Lead for Worldwide Education at Microsoft, Kate leads a global team responsible for industry strategy and business capture serving customers across the K–12, higher education, EdTech, and academic research verticals. Her team’s mission aligns with the broader Microsoft mission: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Every day, the Microsoft Education team works to bridge the digital divide and deliver solutions to education customers that help personalize learning, increase institutional efficiencies, accelerate innovation & discovery, and prepare students for success in an increasingly tech and AI-enabled world.
Despite her many industry & technology successes, for Kate, the most important impact has always been the human one. “Be brave, lead boldly, and lift others. That’s how we create a ripple effect of empowerment that transforms lives and reshapes what’s possible,” she says. That ethos fuels her work both inside and outside of Microsoft.
Kate is a mentor to dozens of diverse technical and business leaders, a keynote speaker inspiring audiences on a global scale (katemaxwell.com), and a champion for policy change to support and elevate underrepresented demographics. Through her nonprofit work with TechPoint Youth, her Maxwell Scholarship for Women in Computing and Engineering, and her advocacy at all levels of government, Kate continues to change the game and open doors for the next generation of changemakers.
Kate Maxwell isn’t just shaping the future of education and public sector innovation—she’s ensuring that the future belongs to everyone. Her legacy is one of courage, community, and a commitment to making sure everyone can realize the fullness of their own potential.
About #empowHER50 campaign
This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50
To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/
