Longtime Microsoft executive Pavan Davuluri has taken on a new role leading the company’s Surface and Windows divisions. Following the departure of former chief product officer Panos Panay last year, Microsoft split up its Surface and Windows groups with separate leaders, including Davuluri, who previously headed up Surface silicon and devices work. However, the tech giant has now brought the two divisions back together, with Davuluri overseeing the combined group. The changes come as Mikhail Parakhin, who was leading a new Windows group focused on “Windows and web experiences,” is exploring a new opportunity, likely outside of the company. The restructuring follows the recent hiring of AI pioneer Mustafa Suleyman, who will lead a new organization called Microsoft AI.
Former Zillow Group CEO Spencer Rascoff has joined the board of Match Group, the online dating company that owns popular platforms such as Tinder and Hinge. Rascoff sees Match Group as a similar multi-brand, mobile-first, two-sided marketplace to Zillow Group, operating in the important category of relationships. In addition to Rascoff, Match Group has also added Instacart CMO Laura Jones to its board. Rascoff, who helped start Zillow in 2005 and served as CEO until 2019, now runs a venture capital fund in Los Angeles and is also the board chair at real estate marketplace startup Pacaso. He previously co-founded a Seattle-based AI startup called HeyLibby and sat on the boards of companies such as TripAdvisor and Palantir.
Seattle-based cybersecurity startup Oleria has added two new executives to its team: Jeremy Korst as chief commercial officer and Shana Glenzer as head of marketing. Korst, a longtime tech leader in the Seattle area, has held positions at companies like Microsoft, Avalara, and T-Mobile. He became a senior advisor and investor in Oleria in 2022 and is also a partner and former president of Seattle marketing consultancy GBK Collective. Glenzer, on the other hand, was previously the vice president of marketing at Diligent, a governance software startup in New York City. She has also held marketing leadership roles at Crowdskout and MakeOffices and co-founded DCFemTech, a group in Washington D.C. focused on supporting women in tech. Oleria, which helps companies manage employee access to applications and data, announced a $33.1 million Series A round in January and is led by CEO Jim Alkove, a former chief trust officer at Salesforce.
The recent changes at Microsoft come as a part of a broader restructuring effort following the departure of key executives and the hiring of new talent. Pavan Davuluri, who has been with Microsoft for over 23 years, is now leading the Surface and Windows divisions. Meanwhile, former Zillow Group CEO Spencer Rascoff has joined the board of Match Group, bringing his experience in building successful tech companies to the online dating behemoth. Seattle-based cybersecurity startup Oleria has bolstered its leadership team with the addition of Jeremy Korst as chief commercial officer and Shana Glenzer as head of marketing. These executive appointments bring a wealth of experience to Oleria as it continues to grow and expand its services in the cybersecurity space.
The appointment of Pavan Davuluri as the leader of Microsoft’s Surface and Windows divisions marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to streamline its operations and focus on innovation in key areas. With his years of experience at the tech giant, Davuluri is well-positioned to drive growth and development within these divisions. Similarly, Spencer Rascoff’s addition to the board of Match Group brings valuable insights and expertise from his successful tenure at Zillow Group. These strategic moves reflect the ongoing evolution and transformation of the tech industry, as companies seek to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer behaviors.
The addition of Jeremy Korst and Shana Glenzer to Oleria’s leadership team underscores the company’s commitment to building a strong and diverse organization capable of addressing the evolving cybersecurity landscape. With Korst’s extensive background in technology and marketing, and Glenzer’s experience in marketing leadership and advocacy for women in tech, Oleria is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity industry. As companies continue to prioritize data security and access management, Oleria’s innovative solutions are poised to play a vital role in safeguarding sensitive information and protecting against cyber threats.
