Xbox’s Inaugural COO to Leave Microsoft After 21 Years
WHO:
The Verge - Helen Chiang, Microsoft employee for 21 years, served as head of Minecraft before becoming Xbox’s first chief operating officer (COO).
The Verge - Asha Sharma is Xbox’s CEO. Chiang reported directly to Sharma.
The Verge - Kari Perez is Xbox’s vice president of communications.
WHAT:
The Verge - Chiang is leaving Microsoft after 21 years, only a few months after becoming Xbox’s first COO.
The Verge - Sharma announced Chiang’s departure in an internal memo: “Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft today. I’m grateful for her years of service and wish her well.”
The Verge - Chiang’s immediate responsibilities are being divided among other Xbox leaders while plans are finalized.
The Verge - Sharma said, “We’ll share more on COO leadership as plans are finalized.”
The Verge - When Chiang was promoted, Sharma described the COO position as “a first for Xbox,” with “end-to-end P&L responsibility across content, hardware, platform, and services.”
The Verge - Chiang was promoted to bring Xbox’s businesses together under one operating model, clarify investment decisions, learn from successes and failures, and hold the organization accountable for results.
The Verge - Microsoft declined to discuss the circumstances of Chiang’s departure. Perez said, “We don’t discuss individual personnel matters,” and added, “We’re grateful for Helen’s years of service and wish her well.”
Techmeme - A summary of The Verge report also says Chiang spent 21 years at Microsoft and is leaving after the newly created COO role had existed for only a few months.
WHERE:
The Verge - Chiang’s departure is from Microsoft; the COO role and responsibilities are within Xbox.
WHEN:
The Verge - Chiang became Xbox COO in July.
The Verge - The article reports that Chiang is leaving “today”; the internal memo was seen by The Verge.
Techmeme - The headline summary specifies October 23 as Chiang’s departure date.
WHY:
The Verge - Microsoft did not explain the circumstances of Chiang’s departure.
The Verge - The article says the reason for Chiang’s departure after a short time as COO is unclear.
HOW:
The Verge - Sharma announced the departure in a short internal Xbox memo.
The Verge - Chiang’s immediate duties are being reassigned to other Xbox leaders for now.
(UPDATED October 24, 2026 02:12 UTC)
Helen Chiang is leaving Microsoft after 21 years, only a few months after becoming Xbox’s first chief operating officer. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the departure in an internal memo, thanking Chiang for her service and wishing her well. Chiang had led Minecraft before taking on the new role, reporting directly to Sharma. The COO position was created to bring Xbox’s content, hardware, platform, and services businesses under one operating model, with broad responsibility for investments and results. For now, Chiang’s duties are being divided among other Xbox leaders while the company finalizes plans for the role. Sharma said Xbox would share more about COO leadership once those plans are settled. Microsoft did not explain the circumstances of Chiang’s departure. Xbox communications vice president Kari Perez said the company does not discuss individual personnel matters, while also expressing gratitude for Chiang’s service.