Microsoft"s Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella, is joining the board of directors of Starbucks, the global coffee company based in Seattle, a few miles from the tech giant"s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Nadella has been nominated to the board alongside Rosalind Brewer, President and CEO of Sam"s Club, and Executive Vice President of Walmart; and Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, Executive Chairman of the LEGO Brand Group.
Microsoft and Starbucks have worked together before. Microsoft"s Band 2 wearable device enabled owners to make purchases at the coffee stores, and a Starbucks add-in was introduced last year for Outlook. An official Starbucks app is also available for Windows 10 Mobile.
Starbucks said today that Nadella"s appointment to its board will bring "extensive experience and an understanding of how technology will be used and experienced around the world." It added that he will provide useful insights to help Starbucks "focus on innovative ways to use technology to elevate the brand and grow its business."
Nadella also serves on the board of trustees for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.