Jeff Wilcox

Jeff Wilcox is a prominent figure in the tech industry, currently serving as the Principal Director of the Open Source Programs Office at Microsoft. Based in Seattle, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Microsoft's open-source strategy and initiatives.

Professional Background

• Current Role: Since November 2021, Jeff has led the Open Source Programs Office at Microsoft, where he focuses on facilitating the company's contributions to open source and ensuring compliance with licensing obligations. His team collaborates with various experts across Microsoft and the broader tech community to enhance Microsoft's open-source offerings and community engagement.14

• Previous Experience: Before his current position, Jeff was a Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, where he was instrumental in developing tools and systems that support open-source projects. Notably, he built the Microsoft Open Source Portal for GitHub, which streamlines self-service functionalities for over 35,000 engineers at Microsoft.12

• Key Contributions: Jeff has been involved in several high-impact projects:

  • He contributed to the early development of Azure's cross-platform command line tools and REST libraries for multiple programming languages.1
  • He was part of the team that initiated Microsoft's journey into open source on GitHub, creating enterprise-scale tooling that facilitates collaboration among employees and external contributors.2

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Jeff is passionate about various interests including cycling, gardening, electric vehicles, and urban living. He is also actively involved in supporting non-profit organizations related to open source and digital freedom.2

Impact on Open Source

Jeff's work at Microsoft reflects a broader commitment to fostering an inclusive open-source ecosystem. His initiatives aim to empower students, startups, and developers by providing resources and tools that facilitate innovation within the AI landscape.3 This aligns with Microsoft's vision of making open source more accessible and beneficial for diverse communities.

In summary, Jeff Wilcox's leadership in Microsoft's Open Source Programs Office marks him as a key player in promoting open-source practices within one of the world's largest technology companies. His efforts contribute significantly to both Microsoft's internal culture and the global open-source community.