Helen Chiang departs Microsoft only months after becoming Xbox's first chief operating officer

Helen Chiang, who was appointed as Xbox's first chief operating officer in July 2026, departed Microsoft on October 23 after 21 years with the company. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced the abrupt departure in a brief internal staff memo seen by The Verge. Microsoft declined to provide a reason for Chiang's exit, citing policies against discussing individual personnel matters, and has not yet named a replacement. [1][2]

For now, Chiang's day-to-day duties will be divided among other Xbox leaders until long-term management plans are set. Sharma had originally created the role to unite fragmented operations across hardware, content, platform, and services under a single profit-and-loss structure. The position was central to a broad July overhaul that included 3,200 job cuts across Xbox through fiscal year 2027 and the divestment of four first-party game development studios. [1][2]

Chiang previously led Mojang Studios and oversaw the Minecraft franchise before rising through Microsoft's gaming division. Her departure marks the latest disruption in an ongoing leadership shakeup for Xbox throughout 2026, following the retirement of Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer and the exit of Xbox president Sarah Bond earlier in the year. [1]