When leadership is shared, doors don’t just open—they stay open for everyone who follows.
For Sabina Nawaz, leadership is a force for change, a platform for inclusion, and a commitment to elevate others. From growing up in India navigating social bias, to becoming one of Microsoft’s most respected leadership voices, Sabina has spent her life making sure no one else has to lead alone.
At Microsoft, Sabina rose through the ranks to lead teams behind products like Windows, Internet Explorer, and MSN. But when she found herself in a job that paved the path for a near-certain promotion to corporate vice president, she made a different choice—one rooted in purpose. She pivoted to lead Microsoft’s global executive development, working alongside Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer to democratize leadership across the company.
Decades earlier, she co-founded Hoppers, Microsoft’s first employee resource group for technical women. What started with a handful of members grew into a 2,000+ strong nearly overnight and then thousands and thousands—and a blueprint replicated across the tech industry. She went on to co-find the Seattle chapter of Women in Technology International, building networks that have supported thousands of professional women.
“Democratizing leadership means putting powerful tools into every hand—not just those at the top. True progress happens when anyone, anywhere, can lead.” — Sabina Nawaz
After Microsoft, Sabina scaled her mission globally. Her Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company articles have reached over 7.5 million readers. Her TEDx talk continues to inspire audiences around the world—including one woman in Bangladesh who said it saved her life. Her book, You’re the Boss, turns 25 years of insight into an accessible toolkit for anyone ready to lead.
Sabina’s legacy is one of deep empathy, courageous decisions, and unwavering inclusivity. Through coaching, writing, and community-building, she’s ensured that leadership isn’t a privilege—it’s a shared responsibility. Her story reminds us that real power lies not in being the only one at the table, but in pulling up chairs for others.
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/
