# Jensen Harris

> Jensen Harris is a Seattle-based software designer, engineer, and founder. After 16 years at Microsoft working on Outlook, the Office Ribbon, and touch interfaces, he co-founded Textio with Kieran Snyder in 2014 and served as its CEO from 2024 to 2026. He now leads Expedition 60, works as an executive coach, and continues building products, including the word game Sky Nook.

- **Role:** Founder at Expedition 60; Co-founder, board member, and CTO Emeritus at Textio
- **Organizations:** Expedition 60, Textio, Microsoft
- **Education:** B.A., Music, Yale University, Music composition studies, Interlochen Arts Academy
- **Known for:** Led the user experience team behind Outlook’s redesign., Led the Office interface redesign that introduced the Ribbon, galleries, and Live Preview., Led touch interface development associated with Surface and Windows.

## Career timeline

- **2001** — Offered leadership of Outlook’s user experience team.
- **2003** — Began leading the Microsoft Office user interface redesign.
- **2007** — Office 2007 introduced the Ribbon and related interface changes developed by his team.
- **2009** — Began leading the touch user interface work for the device that became Surface.
- **2014** — Left Microsoft after 16 years and co-founded Textio with Kieran Snyder as CTO.
- **2024** — Succeeded Snyder as Textio CEO in January; announced a renewed focus on managers in April.
- **2024–2026** — Served as Textio CEO and conceived and shipped Lavalier with the team.
- **2026** — Personal site identifies him as founder of Expedition 60 and Textio co-founder, board member, and CTO Emeritus; showcases Sky Nook.

## Achievements

- Led the user experience team behind Outlook’s redesign.
- Led the Office interface redesign that introduced the Ribbon, galleries, and Live Preview.
- Led touch interface development associated with Surface and Windows.
- Co-founded Textio and designed and coded its early frontend.
- Conceived and shaped Lavalier with the Textio team.
- Built Sky Nook, a browser word game with original art and music.

## Latest updates

- **2024-01** — Appointed CEO of Textio, succeeding Kieran Snyder.
- **2024-04** — Announced Textio’s new brand and renewed focus on tools for managers.
- **2026-10** — Research snapshot: his current website lists Expedition 60 as his company, describes Textio CEO service as 2024–2026, and showcases Sky Nook. Textio lists Colleen Gallagher as CEO. This is the verification month, not an asserted announcement date.

## Links

- Website: https://jensenharris.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jensenharris/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/jensenharris
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jensenharris
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jensenharris.com

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jensen-harris
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11