Over her 25+ years career at Microsoft, Rachel Bondi has held roles in marketing and leadership in the US, Australia and Asia – with an uncompromising focus on delighting customers and delivering business results.

It all started with an ad in the paper. As Rachel Bondi read the Sydney Morning Herald one Sunday morning in 1997, she noticed an advert for a job at Microsoft, leading the education sector. 

"That ad changed my life," said Rachel, who has had a stellar career at Microsoft, including 17 years in the USA, where she met her husband and had a family, before returning here in 2016. 

“I trained as a high school teacher and majored in business and computer studies for high school students,” she said. "After university, I worked in the private training sector, training unemployed women who wanted to go back to work and support their families. We taught them the digital skills they needed to re-enter the workforce.  

“I have always had a passion for teaching, skilling and tech so when I saw the advert it seemed a perfect fit and I was lucky enough to get the role,” she said.  

BILL GATES CHAIRMAN’S AWARD 

After two years she had the chance to move to the headquarters team. She earned her Bill Gates Chairman’s Award in 2001 and held several senior leadership roles in the Corporate Marketing team while in the US.  

“But I am a true Aussie, so I had to come home, and Microsoft helped me and my family to do it.” 

She came back as Chief Operating Officer accountable for functions including centralised marketing, programs and communications for all Microsoft products and services to Australian customers.  

EMBRACING UPSKILLING AND DIVERSITY     

After another three years as Chief Partner Officer, focused on driving growth and innovations through Microsoft’s partner ecosystem, she was appointed Regional Vice President of Small, Medium and Corporate, Microsoft Asia. 

Today she leads a team responsible for driving strategy and execution that help customers and partners achieve more across Asia-Pacific – especially by helping them harness the innate potential of AI and the cloud, as well as embracing upskilling opportunities and diversity across their organisations. 

Her regional role enables her to see firsthand how businesses in different countries are looking at the potential of AI.   

“I just returned from Indonesia where I explored new methods to integrate AI with a customer who is transforming the electric vehicle space.  

“What I saw was that the automated and generative nature of AI can empower drivers to utilise natural speed commands, receive instant responses from voice assistants, or even analyse their vehicle’s data to establish ideal charging periods for smart energy management.” 

AI NEEDS EXPERT JUDGEMENT 

However, Rachel is quick to point out that AI is still just a tool; it requires human expertise to increase its capabilities. Expert judgment links everything together. 

“And this is where we need new skills, beginning with learning how to use the prompts to get the most out of generative AI. Then we need to look at how leaders create more capability from AI, like I saw in Indonesia. 

“But there is a lot we don’t know and that is what makes the FSO so exciting. I think we can provide thought leadership on this, rather than everyone trying to work it out differently. I see the FSO helping to lead us through this to ensure AI is accessible to everyone.” 

LEVEL THE TECH PLAYING FIELD  

Besides AI, Rachel also brings her skills and experience in general management, business strategy, go-to-market and technology to the FSO. Combined with her teaching background and understanding of employer and business needs across small, medium and large enterprises, Rachel provides the Board with valuable perspectives across the finance, technology and business sectors. 

“My very first teaching job afforded me all my career at Microsoft, to live overseas and do all the things I've been able to do. I want to bring all of this to bear to continue to drive accessibility and level the tech playing field while making our country a thriving, leading digital player in the world.” 

*Rachel recently started a new “Leadership in AI interview” series. Read her interview with Miao Song, Global CIO, GLP. Rachel is also the guest on the latest episode of the Ready Podcast where she talks to fellow FSO Board member Marc Washbourne about AI's profound impact on work, education and future skills.

3 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS

What's the best advice you’ve been given?  

Be mindful of the questions that you ask.

A simple thing that makes you happy?  

Seeing my kids learn, adapt and succeed. 

What book are you reading currently?  

When I need clarity on what to do differently or better, my go-to book is ‘Dare to Lead’ by Brené Brown. I listen to a lot of podcasts. Morning Brew for general tech news, Sharp China and Sharp Tech for Asia-related news and HBR IdeaCast.