Microsoft Appoints Sarah Bond as First Black Woman President of Xbox After Activision Blizzard Acquisition
In a groundbreaking move following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has announced Sarah Bond as the new President of Xbox, making her the first Black woman to hold such a role at a major gaming company, according to The Verge.
Sarah Bond expressed her gratitude for the honor in a Twitter post, saying, “Xbox. It’s an honor. Always. ????”
Bond’s journey with Microsoft began in 2017, and prior to her promotion, she served as the corporate vice president of the leading video gaming company. In this role, she oversaw product and experience development for game creators across all Microsoft software and services. Additionally, Bond has been actively involved in Microsoft’s Diversity & Inclusion Initiative and served as the executive sponsor of Blacks @ Microsoft Employee Resource Group.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer shared the company’s strategy in an internal memo, stating that Sarah Bond will lead the team as President of Xbox, which encompasses various crucial aspects like Devices, Player & Creator Experiences, Platform Engineering, Strategy, Business Planning, Data & Analytics, and Business Development.
As President of Xbox, Bond’s responsibilities extend to both the hardware and software platforms, and she will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Xbox brand. This includes potential developments like a redesigned disc-less Xbox Series X next year and a next-gen hybrid console in 2028, as reported by The Verge.
This significant appointment contributes to a shift in Microsoft’s gaming leadership, resulting in more women occupying leadership roles in the gaming division than men by the end of this year.
Beyond her role in Xbox leadership, Sarah Bond serves as a board member for companies like Chegg, Zuora, and the Entertainment Software Association, as indicated on her LinkedIn profile.
