Kent Cunningham
Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft US Civilian Government
Kent Cunningham says his biggest recent achievement —“outside of my amazing family” — is leading efforts to drive meaningful impact across industries by using advanced cloud and AI technologies to solve real-world challenges.
Cunningham has worked with top minds to solve complex challenges for global leaders and Fortune 100 companies in energy, finance, healthcare and public services. His work has supported energy efficiency, financial crime prevention, drug discovery and better access to public benefits. He’s driven by a clear goal: transform mission-critical operations at scale and deliver innovation that improves lives.
Candice Ling, senior vice president of US Federal at Microsoft, called Cunningham’s dedication to advancing cloud computing and his commitment to government efficiency truly inspiring.
“His innovative approach and collaborative spirit have significantly contributed to our mission of modernizing and delivering automation effectively,” Ling said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have Kent as a leader of our team, and this recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment to our customers and market innovation.”
Why Watch
In 2025, Kent Cunningham and his team are leading AI-driven modernization across the public sector. They’re helping agencies streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies and unlock the full value of their data to meet today’s challenges. Using agentic AI, cloud scalability and automation, they’re transforming key sectors like healthcare, finance, research and national security — redefining how government works and building smarter, more secure and resilient public services.
“Growth comes from the willingness to learn, the courage to fail, and the wisdom to turn every challenge into an opportunity for impact,” Cunningham said.
Fun fact: Cunningham has a naturally competitive drive that extends beyond work into nearly every aspect of his life. What began as a childhood love for watersports has evolved into a full-fledged passion, pushing him to train with world-class professional waterskiers in Italy to refine his skills. Whether in technology or sports, Cunningham thrives on the relentless pursuit of improvement and knowledge sharing.