Asia Leadership

James Chowanski is the CVP & Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft Asia, based in Singapore. In this role, he leads the strategy, marketing, sales operations, sales execution and go-to-market excellence across one of Microsoft’s most dynamic and diverse regions. Working closely with business leaders throughout Asia, James helps drive growth, accelerate execution, enhance productivity, and strengthen customer and partner outcomes through operational excellence and data-driven decision making.

A Microsoft veteran, James has been with Microsoft for 30 years and has built a distinguished career spanning business development, strategy, field operations, sales and sales leadership. Throughout his tenure, he has held leadership positions across multiple geographies, including America, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Japan. His broad experience has given him deep expertise in aligning business strategy with execution while navigating complex, fast-changing market environments.

Recognized for his ability to build high-performing organizations and drive transformational change, James is passionate about helping teams achieve sustainable growth through innovation, operational rigor, and customer focus. His leadership philosophy centers on empowering people, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. With nearly three decades of experience at Microsoft, James continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s commercial success across Asia.