Microsoft has appointed Effie Kilmer as Chief Data & AI Advisor for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) market. Kilmer announced the move in a recent LinkedIn post.

Kilmer previously spent five years at Microsoft, building partnerships across the Canadian banking sector and contributing to the launch of the Purview Data Governance product. She noted that this period was “incredibly formative,” highlighting the collaborative, startup-style environment that shaped the product’s development and global rollout.

Before stepping into her new advisory role, Kilmer served as Director of Data Governance Product Growth & Partner GTM, following her earlier work as Chief Data Officer Engagement Lead within Microsoft’s Azure Data Governance Platform product group. Her work has spanned multiple regions — including the U.S., Brazil, Africa, and Europe.

In 2023, Kilmer was recognized by CDO Magazine as one of the 40 Under 40 Data Leaders for her contributions to the data governance space.

Outside of her core responsibilities, Kilmer participates in initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion in the industry. She serves on the Women’s Bond Club Career Committee, helping college-level women secure internships in financial services, and is a member of the Enterprise Data Management Council’s Americas Committee.

“I’m honored to take on this next chapter to work closely with some of our largest customers, helping them transform their industries and unlock new possibilities with data and AI!” Kilmer shared in her announcement.