Lavanya Lakshman
Lavanya Lakshman is a Principal Product Management Leader at Microsoft, driving innovation and AI-powered solutions within the Intune and Security organization. She leads high-performing teams of Product Managers, specializing in the integration of Generative AI and advanced analytics to enhance user engagement across Commercial, Consumer, and Education sectors. Lavanya is recognized for spearheading transformative initiatives, including the integration of Microsoft Copilot in Intune and advancing AI/ML capabilities that deliver impactful security and productivity solutions for enterprise customers. She is an active member of Women in Product Management, Seattle, and is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of product leaders.
Throughout her career, Lavanya has translated exploratory data analysis into scalable production models and pioneered next-generation data pipelines that enable cross-team collaboration and inform strategic investment decisions. She drives the creation of contextual, personalized in-product experiences that increase adoption, engagement, and retention, while educating customers on innovative applications of AI and task automation. Her leadership blends technical expertise with a steadfast focus on delivering measurable business outcomes.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lavanya is dedicated to community impact and philanthropy. She runs half marathons and climbs mountains to fundraise for St. Jude’s, donates her hair to support cancer patients, and actively mentors aspiring professionals. She also holds a professional certificate in Sustainability from MIT, reflecting her commitment to creating products and practices that benefit both society and the environment.
• What Is Generative AI?
• GeekReady 2024 Presenter
• Endpoint Management SUMMIT 2024 Speaker
• Welcome Campus
• Microsoft Sustainability in Action
• Product Management: Building a Product Roadmap
• Microsoft Global Hackathon 2021
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• The Wharton School - Business Analytics
• Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology - MS
• Bangalore University - BE
• Women in Product Management
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family, the collaborative and empowering ecosystem at work, and my own passion for growth and making a meaningful difference. These elements have collectively fueled my drive, shaped my professional journey, and continue to inspire me to achieve excellence in everything I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never stop growing, both professionally and personally. Embracing continuous learning and development has been essential in staying adaptable, expanding my skills, and seizing new opportunities throughout my career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I currently face in my field is working within an organization that is slower to adopt new technologies. While this can create hurdles in efficiency and innovation, it also presents a significant opportunity to lead change, introduce modern solutions, and help the organization evolve to remain competitive and future-ready.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value most important to me in both my work and personal life is transparency. I believe that open and honest communication builds trust, fosters strong relationships, and creates an environment where collaboration, accountability, and mutual respect can thrive.