Xbox Names First COO, Helen Chiang, Departs After Three Months

Xbox's first chief operating officer, Helen Chiang, has left Microsoft after a brief tenure that began in July. The 21‑year veteran, who previously led the Minecraft division, was promoted to the new role in a move that aimed to streamline operations across the gaming division. CEO Asha Sharma announced the departure in a short internal memo, thanking Chiang for her service. With Chiang’s exit, her day‑to‑day duties are being redistributed among existing Xbox leaders, including the chief strategy officer and the head of product. The reshuffle follows a rapid creation of the COO position, suggesting a reevaluation of executive structure within Xbox. The company will now rely on its senior team to maintain continuity while it considers the next step for the role.