Simon Liepold is an international business and government affairs leader working in Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs department. He currently serves as Senior Director, UN and International Affairs, in Microsoft’s UN Office in New York City. Previously, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff to Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President. In his role, Mr. Liepold advances Microsoft’s priorities by strategically managing multi-stakeholder engagements and outreach, bridging government, business, and civil society. He leads global programs that leverage new technologies to enhance public discourse and shape policy on critical issues.
His responsibilities include Microsoft’s strategic engagement and representation at the UN General Assembly and the World Economic Forum in Davos, along with forging strategic partnerships with global business and policy stakeholders.
Over his 17-year tenure at Microsoft, Mr. Liepold has held various roles within the U.S.-based Global Government Affairs Team and the German subsidiary, spanning the commercial business group, government affairs, and public relations. He graduated from the University of Constance in Germany and earned a Master of Public Affairs and Politics from Rutgers University in New Jersey. He is a former Civic Council Member of the Applied International Studies program at the University of Washington and a Fellow at the World Affairs Council in Seattle. Born in Germany, Mr. Liepold has dual citizenship in Germany and the United States.