Gabe Aul hands on Insider leadership baton ahead of Windows 10 Anniversary Update launch

Gabe Aul, long the face of the Windows Insider Program, is standing down from that particular leadership role to focus instead on his work at Engineering Systems Team in WDG. 18 months, 35 desktop builds and 22 mobile builds down the road, Aul has realized he's unable to give 100 percent to both roles.

The new head of the Insider program is Dona Sarkar who has been with Microsoft since the days of Vista. Having worked on Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, as well as HoloLens, the Windows Insider Program leadership role is one she says she has been "waiting for this job for 11 years" to get. With Windows 10 Anniversary Update due to launch in just a few weeks, she's being thrown in at the deep end.

She also has big shoes to fill. Over the course of the last year and a half, Gabe has become something of a Windows personality, engaging with users on Twitter and responding directly to feedback. He says that he has learned a lot from his time on the program, and will be taking "everything that’s awesome about the Windows Insider Program" to use with his engineering team.

Gabe says that he'll still be involved with the Insider Program moving forward, albeit in a more behind-the-scenes role. Now, it's all about Dona Sarkar. Handing over leadership to her, Aul says:

The experience for me personally working on the Windows Insider Program has been exhilarating, humbling, surprising, and fun. I have been so incredibly fortunate to get to know many of you in person, at events like Build and Mobile World Congress, and virtually via Twitter. I couldn’t be more appreciative of all of your efforts and contributions. Every day working on this program I’ve felt so energized and excited about the fact that we are building Windows together.

You are in GREAT hands with Dona, and I’m super excited to see how she takes the Windows Insider Program forward to be even more responsive and fun for all of you.

Just like Gabe, Dona took to Twitter to proclaim her excitement at the new job:

I can't tell you how grateful and honored I am for this opportunity. Thank you everyone!!! https://t.co/Z97qphTfEu

— Dona Sarkar (@donasarkar) June 1, 2016