Leigh Madden

About Leigh Madden

I\'m a mission-driven executive operating at the intersection of defense innovation, AI, and operational strategy. With over three decades of leadership across Microsoft, Epirus, and the U.S. Navy, I’ve built and scaled technologies that directly enhance national security—from Counter-UAS systems to AI-enabled mission readiness.At Epirus, I led the company from startup to unicorn status, securing $285M in funding and driving a valuation surge from $70M to $1.47B in under three years. At Microsoft, I’ve spearheaded billion-dollar contracts and led teams delivering secure, scalable solutions to defense, intelligence, and industrial base partners.Whether I’m advising boards, forging strategic partnerships, or speaking at events like the FAR Summit at Caltech or the Offset Symposium in DC, I bring operational fluency, bold vision, and relentless execution to every challenge.I’m here to connect with defense leaders, tech innovators, and investors shaping the future of readiness. Let’s build what’s next.

Experience

1. Vice President, National Security

   Microsoft

   Nov 2023 — Present · Redmond, WA, US

   Lead Microsoft’s U.S. defense, intelligence, and industrial base business units.• Oversee all operations, strategy, and partnerships across the Federal market.• Drive innovation and secure cloud adoption for mission-critical environments.

Education

• Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business

  Executive Education Program

• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Master of International Public Policy

• Middlebury College

  Bachelor of Arts