Two senior Microsoft executives announce departures after decades at tech giant

Peter Lee, the former head of Microsoft Research and most recently president of Microsoft Science, is leaving after more than 16 years to pursue what he described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Ryan Roslansky is also departing Microsoft after nearly 18 years, having recently been promoted to oversee both LinkedIn and Microsoft Office before Daniel Shapero became LinkedIn CEO. Both executives depart from leadership positions overseeing significant divisions within the Redmond company.

Peter Lee departs after leading Microsoft's research division for over a decade and recently overseeing the company's science initiatives. His background includes two decades at Carnegie Mellon University, where he directed the Computer Science Department before joining Microsoft. Lee has gained recognition for bridging technology and healthcare, earning recognition from Time magazine in 2024 for his work in health and life sciences.

Ryan Roslansky's departure comes after he expanded his responsibilities to oversee both LinkedIn and Microsoft Office divisions following his tenure as LinkedIn's chief executive. He initially joined LinkedIn in 2009 as chief product officer before ascending to the CEO role in 2020. His exit reflects the challenge of balancing geographic relocation with family priorities, as the role required moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to Microsoft's Washington headquarters.