E-Paper
Sign In
Who is Asha Sharma? The Indian-origin executive appointed CEO of Microsoft Gaming
As she takes the reins at Xbox, we take a look at her background, career at Microsoft, Instacart and Meta, and what her appointment means for the gaming division
- PUBLISHED: Mon 23 Feb 2026, 12:12 PM
Asha Sharma has been appointed Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, marking a significant leadership shift for Xbox. She will report directly to Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive of Microsoft, as the company recalibrates its gaming strategy amid intensifying industry competition.
In her first comments after the announcement, Sharma said she plans to refocus on Xbox’s core audience while navigating a rapidly evolving gaming landscape shaped by subscription models, cloud gaming, and major acquisitions. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Xbox, which continues to compete closely with PlayStation in console market share and exclusive titles.
Recommended For You
Her appointment, however, has become a cause for concern for many Xbox fans who believe that someone with no experience in managing anything related to gaming shouldn't have been hired.
Who is Asha Sharma?
Before taking charge of Microsoft Gaming, Sharma held senior leadership roles within Microsoft’s AI platform and product development teams. She worked closely with engineering and commercial divisions as the company accelerated artificial intelligence integration across cloud infrastructure, developer tools, and enterprise products, placing her at the centre of its long-term AI strategy.
Prior to Microsoft, Sharma served as chief operating officer at Instacart, overseeing cross-functional operations during a period of rapid expansion. Earlier, she held product leadership roles at Meta, helping scale major global consumer platforms.
US-educated, Sharma holds a business degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. While she is widely described as Indian-origin, she has spoken sparingly about her personal background, with public disclosures focusing primarily on her professional achievements.
She also shared her Xbox Gamertag on X and Redditors were quick to dig out her gaming history. In one of the interviews, she talked about her appreciation for Firewatch, a 2016 adventure game.
Alongside Sharma’s appointment, Microsoft confirmed that Matt Booty has been promoted to chief content officer, while Sarah Bond is leaving the company, signalling a broader reset of Xbox’s leadership structure.
