A two-time Microsoft alumna, Suzi brought a product builder’s mindset to public service, transforming how the U.S. thinks about equity in education, work, and caregiving.
At Microsoft, Suzi learned about rolling out programs at scale by being a part of the historic Windows95 team in which she led the World Tour and the manufacturing efforts. She then dug in on impact by helping pioneer storytelling and partnerships through programs like the Imagine Cup, where students used technology to tackle real-world problems. She also worked alongside Intel and Cisco to reshape global education assessments, advocating for project-based learning and 21st-century skills.
It was that work, fused with her global perspective as U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, that inspired a bold new vision: adapting the Swiss apprenticeship model to the United States. Suzi spearheaded a formal agreement between the U.S. and Swiss government and enlisted 30+ companies to bring their workforce programs stateside. Her efforts catalyzed what is now a national apprenticeship renaissance, powering initiatives in Washington State, Colorado, NYC, Indiana, and beyond—all grounded in access, dignity, and economic mobility.
Her time at Microsoft also laid the foundation for another milestone: launching Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave system as Commissioner of the Employment Security Department. With product acumen drawn from her work on Windows and NT, Suzi applied beta testing, MVP, and agile rollout strategies to a state-run benefits platform. The result? The on-time and on-budget delivery of a first-of-its-kind system that inspired similar programs in over a dozen states, supporting millions of families with critical caregiving benefits.
“The future of opportunity lies in reimagining systems—where every learner, every worker, and every family has the power to thrive, not just survive,” says LeVine.
Suzi’s journey—from operating systems to system change—proves that innovation isn’t confined to the private sector. When technology meets empathy and policy meets lived experience, the American Dream expands for all.
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/
