Sam Tam

Sam currently serves as GM, Human Resources for engineering teams within the Cloud + AI business at Microsoft. He leads a team of extremely talented HR professionals that enable these brilliant/passionate engineering teams to  provide end-to-end customer experiences across the Microsoft cloud and deliver critical services that power Microsoft to deliver our products, connect with its customers and partners, sell our solutions, and support customer success.

Prior to Microsoft, Sam spent 6 years at Visa, the world's leader in digital payments technology. Visa’s mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. As the world continues to become more digital, Visa applies its iconic brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce.

Sam was based in Singapore during his last assignment at Visa where he served as VP - Head of HR Business Partners (HRBPs) for the Asia Pacific region. In that role, he led a team of HRBPs to consult with executive leaders and drive the talent agenda across Asia Pacific. Sam joined Visa in late-2016 as the Head of HR for the Global Merchant Sales and Acquiring organization and a few years later assumed a role of increased responsibility leading HR for the Global Product Organization at Visa. 

Originally from Ghana, Sam spent his childhood years in Athens, Greece. He came to the US to pursue his undergraduate degree which he earned from the College of Wooster with a BA in International Relations & Economics. Immediately after his undergraduate degree Sam moved to New York City and Boston where he worked, respectively, in Finance for JP Morgan and Sales at EF Education.  

Upon completing his MBA from Thunderbird, Global School of Management, Sam spent several years with Whirlpool Corporation, based in Michigan, where he held various roles of increasing responsibility. During his tenure at Whirlpool, he was also stationed in Italy for 2+ years where he led the Whirlpool EMEA HR team for the Procurement, Engineering and Industrial Design groups. 

After Whirlpool, Sam relocated to San Francisco to explore the world of Silicon Valley and technology. He spent 3 years with Electronic Arts (EA) in a global HR capacity where he partnered with some of the most creative studio leadership teams to launch stunning products. The last year at EA Sam spent time building out the Mobile Gaming organization as EA embarked on a digital transformation journey. His experience at EA then led him to Visa and ultimately Microsoft. 

His hobbies include traveling, eating and more traveling. Discovering new cultures, exploring the unknown and being adventurous and spontaneous is what keeps him ticking. His passion for food is balanced with a love for being active and outdoors (running, biking and soccer more specifically).