Intel Corporation has announced a sweeping leadership overhaul as it pushes forward with its turnaround strategy in the highly competitive semiconductor market. The company confirmed that Michelle Johnston Holthaus, its long-serving products chief and most senior female executive, will step down after more than three decades with Intel. Michelle Johnston Holthaus, who played a key role in driving Intel’s client computing and product strategies, will remain briefly in an advisory role to ensure a smooth transition.
The move comes as Intel’s new chief executive, Lip-Bu Tan, works to streamline leadership structures and sharpen focus on strategic growth areas. The shake-up underscores Intel’s intent to accelerate decision-making and strengthen its position against rivals in data centers, custom silicon, and advanced chip manufacturing.
New Appointments and Structural Changes
As part of the transition, Intel has announced several major appointments and reorganizations designed to tighten oversight and strengthen alignment across divisions. Kevork Kechichian has joined as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Group, bringing deep industry expertise from senior roles at Arm, Qualcomm, and NXP.
Following the departure of Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel is creating a new central engineering group under Senior Vice President Srinivasan Iyengar, who will oversee the development of a custom silicon business aimed at serving external customers. Naga Chandrasekaran, currently responsible for technology and operations within Intel Foundry, will expand his remit to include Foundry Services, reinforcing Intel’s push to build a stronger global foundry business.
In addition, Jim Johnson has been appointed as General Manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group, a critical division that manages the company’s PC business and consumer-focused chip strategy. Together, these shifts signal Intel’s focus on agility, customer responsiveness, and integrated innovation across its business lines.
Strategic Outlook Amid Challenges
The leadership restructuring, including the departure of Michelle Johnston Holthaus, arrives at a pivotal moment for Intel, as the company navigates intense competition from rivals like AMD, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Intel is under pressure not only to regain its technological edge but also to execute on ambitious plans to expand its foundry services and tap into new revenue streams from artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and edge solutions.
At the same time, the company faces heightened scrutiny in the political and investment landscape. Recent proposals from political leaders for government stakes in Intel have added an extra layer of complexity to its governance environment. Against this backdrop, Intel’s leadership changes are seen as a decisive effort to stabilize operations, rebuild investor confidence, and chart a path toward renewed growth.
With Michelle Johnston Holthaus’s departure marking the end of an era, the new executive team will be tasked with delivering results in one of the most transformative periods in Intel’s history. The success of these changes will hinge on Intel’s ability to innovate quickly, scale its foundry operations, and compete effectively in markets increasingly defined by AI-driven demand and global supply chain dynamics.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/technology/intel-announces-key-executive-shake-up-says-products-chief-holthaus-will-exit-2025-09-08/
https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2025/09/intels-top-oregon-executive-most-senior-female-leader-is-leaving-the-company.html
