Indian-origin Microsoft VP Soma Somasegar honoured in US Congress
Synopsis
An Indian-born technologist who helped build Windows NT and rose to Senior Vice President at Microsoft received a formal tribute on the US House floor — a rare congressional honour that also spotlights the deepening footprint of Indian-origin professionals across American technology, venture capital, and even professional cricket.
Key Takeaways
Sivaramakrishnan “Soma” Somasegar was honoured in the US House of Representatives on 13 June by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington state.
Somasegar joined Microsoft in 1989 and rose to Senior Vice President , contributing centrally to the development of Windows NT .
After leaving Microsoft in 2015 , he became a managing director at Madrona Venture Group , mentoring startups across the Pacific Northwest.
He co-founded the Seattle Orcas cricket franchise, bringing professional cricket to the Pacific Northwest .
DelBene described him as a ‘passionate advocate for women’s empowerment’ and praised his family — wife Akila and two daughters — as central to his life and work.
Indian-born technology executive Sivaramakrishnan “Soma” Somasegar, a former Senior Vice President at Microsoft and later a managing director at Madrona Venture Group, was formally honoured on the floor of the US House of Representatives this week for his contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and community service. The tribute was delivered on 13 June by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington state.
A Career That Shaped American Tech
Born and raised in southern India, Somasegar pursued higher education in the United States at Louisiana State University before joining Microsoft in 1989. Over a career spanning more than two decades at the company, he played a pivotal role in the development of Windows NT — one of the most consequential products in Microsoft’s history — and rose through the ranks to serve as Senior Vice President until 2015.
DelBene credited his ‘remarkable management skills, dedication, and work ethic’ for his ascent. ‘I had the joy of getting to know him during our time at Microsoft together,’ she said. ‘His infectious smile and warm presence brought energy to every room he entered.’
From Microsoft to Venture Capital
After departing Microsoft, Somasegar joined Madrona Venture Group as a managing director, channelling his industry experience into backing and mentoring emerging technology companies across the US Pacific Northwest. According to DelBene, he ‘guided countless startups and helped strengthen our region’s innovation ecosystem.’
This transition from corporate leadership to venture investing mirrors a broader pattern among senior Indian-origin technology executives who have leveraged their operational expertise to fuel the next generation of American innovation.
Bringing Cricket to the Pacific Northwest
Beyond technology, Somasegar made a distinctive mark in sports. As a co-founder of the Seattle Orcas franchise, he was instrumental in bringing professional cricket to the Pacific Northwest — a region home to a rapidly growing South Asian population. The move expanded the sport’s footprint well beyond its traditional American strongholds on the East and West Coasts.
Community, Family, and Legacy
DelBene also described Somasegar as ‘a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment,’ noting his support for organisations working to expand opportunity and equity. Much of her tribute centred on his family: his wife, Akila, and their two daughters, whom she called ‘the center of his world.’
‘He spoke of them often with great admiration, gratitude, and boundless pride,’ DelBene said. ‘Everything he accomplished was grounded in love for them.’
The congresswoman called on fellow lawmakers to honour his legacy, saying his family, friends, and colleagues would continue to cherish ‘his kindness and wisdom for years to come.’ Somasegar’s journey — from southern India to senior leadership at one of the world’s largest technology companies, then to venture investing and professional sport — stands as a marker of the expanding influence of the Indian diaspora in American public and professional life.
Point of View
A tech-dense constituency where South Asian professionals are a visible constituency. What the tribute does not address is the structural question: Indian-origin executives have reached the highest levels of American corporate life, yet representation in elected office and policy roles remains thin. Somasegar’s story is exceptional; the pipeline that produces more like him is still underbuilt.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Soma Somasegar and why was he honoured in the US Congress?
Sivaramakrishnan ‘Soma’ Somasegar is an Indian-born technology executive who served as Senior Vice President at Microsoft and later became a managing director at Madrona Venture Group. He was honoured on 13 June in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene for his contributions to technology, entrepreneurship, and community service in the Pacific Northwest.
What was Soma Somasegar’s role at Microsoft?
Somasegar joined Microsoft in 1989 and played a key role in developing Windows NT, one of the company’s most significant products. He rose to the position of Senior Vice President before departing in 2015.
What is the Seattle Orcas and what is Somasegar’s connection to it?
The Seattle Orcas is a professional cricket franchise in the US Pacific Northwest. Somasegar is a co-founder of the team, helping bring professional cricket to a region with a growing South Asian population.
What did Congresswoman Suzan DelBene say about Somasegar?
DelBene called Somasegar ‘an incredible technologist, entrepreneur, leader, and friend,’ crediting his management skills, work ethic, and community advocacy. She also highlighted his role as a family man, describing his wife Akila and two daughters as ‘the center of his world.’
What does Somasegar’s recognition reflect about Indian professionals in the US?
His career arc — from southern India to senior leadership at Microsoft, venture investing, and professional sport — reflects the expanding influence of the Indian diaspora in American technology and public life. Indian-origin executives have played prominent roles in shaping Silicon Valley and the broader US innovation economy over the past several decades.
