Michelle Grikenas in

Michelle Grikenas

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General Manager - Azure Cloud & AI at Microsoft
📍 Greater Chicago Area, United States

Michelle Grikenas is a General Manager for Azure Cloud & AI at Microsoft, with over 25 years of experience driving double-digit growth in technology. Her expertise spans data, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity. She holds a BSBA in Marketing from The University of Akron and is described by colleagues as an exceptional leader, mentor, and strategist.

Michelle recently participated in an Executive Women’s Panel discussing how to drive change and influence with AI in the new global market. This highlights her interest in both emerging technology and supporting female leaders in the industry.

Unique fact: Before joining Microsoft, Michelle spent over two decades at Avanade, rising through the ranks from a business development role to Executive Vice President.

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Experience
21 Years
Current Role
General Manager - Azure Cloud & AI
Job Level
Senior
Location
Greater Chicago Area, United States
Personality Overview

How Michelle shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

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Priorities

Topics Michelle cares about

AI-driven Leadership
Spoke on a panel about the non-negotiable skills for leaders in the AI era, emphasizing the balance of technology with human-centered judgment and decision-making.
Unified Data Platforms
Shared a case study on how Microsoft Fabric helped KPMG simplify its data ecosystem, reduce onboarding time by 87%, and enhance data governance.
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Career

Work history

5-2024
General Manager - Azure Cloud & AI
Microsoft
11-2017 - 2-2024
Executive Vice President, Midwest Region Sales & GTM
Avanade
10-2013 - 11-2017
Sr. Director, Territory Executive, Sales Management
Avanade
1-2009 - 10-2013
Director, Sr. Business Development Executive
Avanade
1991 - 1994
Account Manager
Greenbrier & Russel, Inc.
In the press

Media appearances

Microsoft Highlights Leadership Bench as Cloud and AI Expansion Accelerates. Featured in TMC Insight
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Education

Michelle has no verified education history

Social presence
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Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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