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Senior vice-president Orlando Ayala heads the Emerging Segments Market Development Group at Microsoft. This group is charged with spearheading efforts to ensure that Microsoft makes a real, positive difference to people and Governments all around the world as digital inclusion in underserved communities, both in emerging nations and developed countries, becomes an increasing fundamental for economic success in the global economy. Microsoft is committed to finding ways to drop the barrier of entry in usability and affordability to meet the unique needs of this new set of customers, both in consumer and small business scenarios, and Ayala’s group works closely with other Microsoft teams to make this a reality.
Born in Colombia, South America, Ayala gained a bachelor’s degree in management information systems before joining NCR in 1981, where he held international assignments, including sales manager for Mexico, ultimately becoming product and sales manager for Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. He joined Microsoft in 1991 as the senior director of the Latin America region, growing the region from 4 to 9 subsidiaries with a 90% revenue increase over 4 years. Intercontinental revenue similarly doubled to over $1 billion when he took on the role of senior vice president of that region. During this period, Ayala opened no fewer than 33 Microsoft subsidiaries around the world, working with each to establish local needs, goals and presence. Roles followed as the senior vice-president for the South Pacific and Americas region (SPAR) and Group Vice-President of the worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services group. In this latter role, he led the world-wide strategies, policies and programs that integrate the activities of Microsoft’s diverse sales and service partners with the needs of Microsoft customers.
In his last role, as the senior vice-president of the Small, Medium Services and Partner group (SMS&P), he led Microsoft’s strategic focus on the rapidly-growing market of small and medium businesses, as well as the extensive channel of sales and services partners. Simultaneously, he agreed to take on a unique dual role in Microsoft by serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Dynamics, where has was responsible for driving a consistent marketing and services strategy for Microsoft’s then-nascent business solutions division.
His latest appointment continues his tradition of serving in different roles for which he has a strong personal passion. He is committed to driving innovative partnerships between Microsoft, Governments, NGO’s and individuals to improve access to technology and education that will offer new ways for individuals, communities and entire countries to realize their potential in the coming years. | 