Deborah N. Willingham, the highest-ranking female executive at Microsoft Corp. and a key architect of Chief Executive Steve Ballmer's recent efforts to soften the company's culture and institute more professional- style management, is retiring.
Ms. Willingham, 46 years old, has worked at Microsoft for nearly 10 years and most recently ran the company's vast human-resources department. A former executive at International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - News) , she also sits on Microsoft's elite Senior Leadership Team, the seven-member group that advises Mr. Ballmer on high-level management and corporate issues.
In an interview, Ms. Willingham said she was retiring because she felt satisfied with her 25-year career in the technology industry and wanted more time to pursue volunteer work with charities.
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