Microsoft’s Head of Business Development Resigns After Four Years
Christopher Young, executive vice president of business development at Microsoft Corp., has announced his resignation from his post after approximately four years in the role. The news was revealed in a regulatory filing on Wednesday, with no successor named to take his place.
Young joined Microsoft in 2020, bringing with him experience from his time as CEO at McAfee, as well as executive positions at Cisco and RSA. As one of the highest-paid employees at the company, he received $12 million in total compensation in the 2024 fiscal year.
Young’s role at Microsoft included oversight of the M12 corporate venture capital unit, which has invested in startups such as Innovaccer, Outreach, PsiQuantum, Skedulo, and Typeface. He also played a key part in Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, its largest deal ever, and its expansion of its partnership with artificial intelligence startup OpenAI and its ad deal with Netflix.
Young’s exit from the company comes as Microsoft’s focus on artificial intelligence continues to grow. He is quoted as saying, “I’m grateful for this chapter and am inspired by the possibilities the AI era presents for transformation and growth.”
The resignation of Young, who is one of the most prominent Black executives at Microsoft, may also be seen as a loss for the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Microsoft has been vocal about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the technology industry, and Young’s departure may spark concerns about the company’s commitment to these efforts in the future.
In a LinkedIn post, Young expressed his gratitude for his time at Microsoft and his excitement for the opportunities ahead. He did not provide further details about his plans after leaving the company.
