Andres Ortolá is the new General Director of Microsoft Portugal. Paula Panarra is the new Global Sales Director for the Retail and Consumer Goods area
Microsoft today announced an appointment of Andres Ortola as new Director General of Microsoft Portugal. The manager replaces Paula Panarra from January 1, 2022, with the responsibility of now assuming the position of Global Sales Director of business applications no Retail and Consumer Goods segment.
In his new role, Andres Ortolá will lead Microsoft in Portugal, at a time when the organization already has more than 1,400 professionals in the country. Andres Ortolá will be focused on supporting the business segment, the public sector and partners, in their Digital Transformation processes, as well as establishing new alliances and collaborations that help boost the areas of Innovation and Sustainability, but also increase confidence in the Digital .
Microsoft Portugal contains an ecosystem made up of more than 3,700 partners, which offers solutions based on Microsoft technology for large companies, SMEs, Public Administration, professionals and home users.
Microsoft’s new Director General in Portugal has nearly two decades of experience in the Information Technology industry, in various areas, including consulting, sales and marketing. He previously held the position of Director General of the Philippines and joined Microsoft in 2000, serving as a Consultant, Regional Technology Leader and Regional Business Manager for Global Accounts. The curriculum also includes experiences in Dubai, at Quest Software, having led a technology operation in the Middle East, which was followed by a stint at IBM, where he held positions such as Software Sales Director and Marketing Director for the Middle East and Africa.
Andres Ortolá returned to Microsoft in 2014, where he embraced challenges in the Corporate Customers area While Field Training Director, Excellence in Sales and Strategy Director to Asia and led the Business Segment in Singapore.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his free time is spent with family and friends, being passionate about sports, rugby in particular.
In the words of Andres Ortolá: “I am very excited to be part of the Portuguese team and continue the excellent work that has been developed so far. We have a great opportunity ahead of us, only matched by the expectations of our customers and partners. I’m looking forward to the start of the new cycle, getting to know the teams and helping our ecosystem to transform itself”.
Paula Panarra, Global Sales Director of Business Applications for Retail
Paula Panarra has been named new global sales director for business applications for the Retail and Consumer Goods segment, becoming responsible for the development of the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform business, in this sector, worldwide.
The manager rises to this position after five years of leading the Portuguese market. During this period, one organization doubled the size of its business in Portugal, reinforcing its market leadership; it also accelerated a transformation to a cloud; cultivated a diverse and inclusive team, which took in 1,000 new employees and saw the birth of six new Global Employee’s Resource Groups – informal groups of employees who develop internal initiatives in areas such as Diversity & Inclusion -; consolidated the reputation of the Microsoft brand, accumulating distinctions among which the leadership in the ranking of the strongest brands in Portugal in 2021, having been the only one to reach the level of excellence (Source: BrandEnergy ™ 2021, OnStrategy).
Under the leadership of Paula Panarra, Microsoft Portugal adopted strategic alliances with large companies and public entities, eleven as initiatives of more than 3,700 national partners, and launched projects with high social impact, such as Construindo o Futuro and Activa Portugal.
Paula Panarra has a degree in Chemical-Biotechnology Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, and has over 20 years of professional experience. Over the course of his career, he took on several roles, adding to his resume his experience at Procter & Gamble, where he spent 15 years. Joined Microsoft in 2010 as Marketing Director. After three years in technology, she became an executive director of Marketing & Operations and, in 2016, assumed a leadership position in the Public Sector customer segment.