Xbox is experiencing significant leadership changes at the executive level. Sarah Bond, who made history as the first Black woman president at Xbox, is stepping down from her role.
The announcement came via LinkedIn on February 20, 2026. Bond’s departure marks the end of nearly nine years with the gaming giant.
Two-and-a-Half Years as Xbox President
Bond served as Xbox president for nearly two-and-a-half years specifically. However, her total tenure at the company spans much longer.
Throughout her presidential term, she led teams through unprecedented challenges and opportunities. The pandemic and rapid technological transformation both occurred during her leadership.
Practically, this included charting strategic direction and operational execution for the Microsoft-owned gaming platform. She oversaw cross-functional teams across engineering, product development, marketing, and more according to her LinkedIn.
Evolving Xbox Beyond Traditional Gaming Platforms
A significant part of Bond’s strategy involved expanding Xbox’s reach and definition. She worked to evolve Xbox past the traditional gaming console model.
This vision included PC and cloud gaming as central growth areas. Bond recognized that gaming’s future extended beyond dedicated hardware alone.
Her approach positioned Xbox for broader market reach. Players could access Xbox experiences across multiple devices rather than being limited to consoles.
Leading the Historic Activision Blizzard Acquisition
One of Bond’s most significant contributions involved Microsoft’s massive gaming acquisition. She helped finalize Microsoft’s $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard.
This represented one of the largest acquisitions in gaming industry history. The deal brought franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush under Microsoft’s umbrella.
Bond’s role in navigating this complex transaction demonstrated her strategic capabilities. The acquisition fundamentally changed Xbox’s position in the gaming market.
Reflecting on Nearly Nine Years of Achievements
Bond shared her pride in Xbox’s accomplishments during her tenure. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together over the past eight-plus years,” she wrote in her LinkedIn announcement.
She highlighted specific growth areas and future developments. “PC and cloud gaming are growing faster than ever, our next console is well underway,” she stated.
“Together we’ve helped lay the foundation for a more open gaming platform that spans devices and reaches players around the world,” Bond continued. Her reflection emphasized collaborative achievement rather than individual credit.
Choosing the Right Time for Her Next Step
Bond framed her departure as a deliberate choice rather than forced exit. “I’ve decided this is the right time for me to take my next step, both personally and professionally,” she explained.
She connected her decision to broader industry transformation. “We’re living through a transformative technological era that will shape the next generation of our industry,” Bond observed.
“I’m energized by what’s ahead,” she concluded positively. Her statement suggested excitement about future opportunities rather than dissatisfaction with Xbox.
From Corporate Vice President to President in Nine Years
Bond’s career trajectory at Xbox demonstrated impressive upward mobility. The Harvard Business School graduate joined the company nearly nine years ago.
She started as a corporate vice president and worked her way up. Her promotion to president in 2023 made history as the first Black woman to hold this position.
This advancement reflected both her capabilities and Microsoft’s commitment to diverse leadership. Bond proved herself repeatedly throughout multiple roles and responsibilities.
Speculation About Succeeding Phil Spencer
Many industry observers expected Bond to eventually succeed Phil Spencer. Spencer served as the longtime CEO of Xbox and Microsoft Gaming.
Internally, according to reporting by The Verge, some employees held different views. They thought it was inevitable she would be looked over for the top position.
The speculation proved partially accurate in unexpected ways. Both Bond and Spencer left their Xbox roles simultaneously rather than one succeeding the other.
Phil Spencer’s Retirement After 38 Years
Spencer’s departure announcement came at the same time as Bond’s resignation. He spent 38 years total at Microsoft before retiring.
His retirement marked the end of an era for Xbox leadership. Spencer had been synonymous with Xbox’s brand and strategy for years.
The simultaneous departures created a significant leadership vacuum. Xbox would need to rebuild its executive team with fresh perspectives.
Asha Sharma Takes the Helm as New CEO
Microsoft appointed Asha Sharma as the new CEO of Xbox. She brings senior Microsoft AI executive experience to the gaming division.
Sharma represents the company’s strategic direction connecting gaming with AI capabilities. Her technology and commerce experience positions her for the role.
Bond expressed confidence in the new leadership publicly. “I’ve seen firsthand [Sharma’s] deep commitment to our players, developers, and brand,” she wrote.
Bond’s Endorsement of Sharma’s Leadership
Bond continued praising Sharma’s qualifications and track record. “She brings deep technology and commerce experience, along with a strong track record of building and scaling platforms that the world uses,” Bond stated.
This public endorsement suggests Bond’s departure wasn’t contentious. She appears genuinely supportive of her successor and Xbox’s future direction.
The smooth transition messaging benefits both Bond’s reputation and Xbox’s stability. Public discord would have raised questions about internal dynamics.
Staying On as Special Advisor for Transition
Bond won’t disappear from Xbox immediately after her announcement. She will stay on as a special advisor to ensure Sharma’s smooth transition.
This arrangement benefits everyone involved in the leadership change. Sharma gains access to Bond’s institutional knowledge and relationships.
Xbox maintains continuity during a vulnerable transition period. Bond’s advisory role prevents knowledge gaps from disrupting operations.
A Brilliant Resume Spanning Multiple Industries
Bond’s qualifications extend far beyond her Xbox tenure. She champions an impressive resume across education and professional experience.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Yale University. She later obtained her Harvard Business School MBA.
Her professional roles included positions at McKinsey and T-Mobile before joining Microsoft. This diverse background strengthened her strategic thinking and execution capabilities.
Closing With Three Guiding Questions
Bond concluded her farewell post with personal reflection. “As I prepare to sign off, I’ve been reflecting on three simple questions I’ve tried to use to guide my days,” she wrote.
Those questions were: “Did I bring my best? Did I help someone else succeed? Did I do my best work?” The questions reveal her leadership values.
“I hope the answer has been yes for many of you,” Bond penned to close her post. Her message emphasized impact on others over personal achievement.
What’s Next for Sarah Bond
Bond’s next chapter remains unannounced at this time. Her LinkedIn post emphasized being “energized by what’s ahead” without specifying plans.
Given her technology background and AI interest, multiple possibilities exist. She could join another tech company, launch a startup, or pursue board positions.
Whatever direction she chooses, her Xbox legacy is secure. Sarah Bond transformed gaming’s executive landscape and proved Black women belong in technology’s highest leadership positions.