Microsoft's Gavriella Schuster says it's 'time to pass the torch' after 25 years

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Microsoft logo (Image credit: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

Updated March 31, 2021: This post has been updated to state that Schuster is moving on from her current role and will evaluate her next steps.

What you need to know

  • Microsoft corporate vice president of commercial partner, Gavriella Schuster, is moving on from her current role.
  • Schuster is a 25-year veteran of Microsoft.
  • Rodney Clark will become the corporate vice president of global channel sales and channel chief for Microsoft.

Gavriella Schuster, Microsoft corporate vice president of commercial partner, will move away from her current role after 25 years with Microsoft. Schuster says that it is "time to pass the torch" in a LinkedIn post announcing the move (via ZDNet).

Schuster will be replaced by Rodney Clark, who will become the corporate vice president of global channel sales and channel chief at Microsoft. Rodney is a 23-year Microsoft veteran and was most recently the corporate vice president of IoT and Mixed Reality sales at the company. Rodney's LinkedIn profile already lists the new title, so he doesn't seem to be wasting any time getting work started. Schuster will work with Rodney over the coming months to help him transition to the new role.

Schuster shares that the best part of her job involves helping others:

The best part of my job is engaging with partners and helping them build their businesses, as well as coaching and mentoring individuals. The restrictions brought on by COVID have given me time to reflect on and reconnect with my passions and to spark a new passion to drive a movement to shift the status quo and make an impact on inclusion and gender equity in the tech industry.

Schuster also shares a link to her TEDx talk on gender equity.

The list of roles that Schuster held at Microsoft is extensive. She served in her corporate vice president of commercial partner role for almost five years. Before that, she was the general manager of WW partner programs and marketing at Microsoft and led the Microsoft Partner network.

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Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.