Microsoft’s Garage Director: A Career Built on Reinvention and Innovation
Ady Mor-Biran’s career path is a testament to the power of strategic planning and embracing change. From immigrating to Israel at 13 to her current leadership position at Microsoft’s Garage, every step has been carefully considered. Her story offers insights into innovation, career growth, and the evolving role of technology.
Mor-Biran, who has led Microsoft’s Garage for the past four years, says she reinvents herself every three to four years. This project-oriented approach has been key to her success. “Every time I felt it was time for a change, I mapped out the relevant roles and built a planning tree outlining the steps I needed to take to reach them—down to an Excel list of key people who could help me,” she explains.
Microsoft’s Garage, the company’s innovation hub, isn’t just for show; it generates real breakthroughs. “Microsoft now has 48 products and hundreds of features that originated in this format,” Mor-Biran states. One notable example is a special Xbox remote control for people with disabilities, developed in the Israeli Garage after an interview with Ziv Shilon, an entrepreneur who lost his hand in combat.
The Garage’s main goal is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among Microsoft employees, giving them a platform to bring their ideas to life. The innovation center in Herzliya, Israel, is designed to provide a collaborative environment where employees can create, experiment, and learn. Some projects evolve into full-fledged products, while others provide valuable learning experiences. In certain cases, the intellectual property is transferred to external organizations.
The Power of AI and Career Alignment
Mor-Biran believes that AI can play a significant role in bridging employment gaps in the tech industry and promoting diversity. Recognizing that verbal skills are critical in the AI landscape, she suggests that women, who often excel in this area, can particularly benefit. “Creativity will be the key differentiator in the future, and I’m convinced AI will help narrow the gender gap,” she adds.
Personal Passion and Career Crossroads
Beyond her tech career, Mor-Biran is a passionate writer. She shares her personal journey, including her experiences as a mother to a child with special needs, through her poems and social media posts. This authenticity unexpectedly opened doors, leading her to her current role at the Garage.
A Strategic Career Journey
After studying computer science at Bar-Ilan University, she recognized that she preferred a business-oriented role and strategically transitioned her career path. She eventually secured a marketing position at a larger company.
After 12 years at HP and a midlife crisis in her 40s, Mor-Biran set two goals: to work at a cutting-edge tech company, specifically in the cloud, and join an organization with a culture better suited to her changed personal circumstances.
She identified Microsoft as her top choice and networked extensively to connect with senior leaders. This deliberate approach led her to a marketing role in cloud operations and, later, to her perfect role as marketing manager for startups, combining her passion for innovation, technology, and diversity, and leading to her current position heading the Garage.
Representing Innovation Abroad
Mor-Biran highlighted how Israel remains a global innovation hub, even amid the war. “Throughout the war, I’ve encountered nothing but open arms and empathy,” she remarks. “We are also highly committed to delivering results.” Her work now extends across multiple innovation centers, with travels to both India and Serbia.
