PeopleofSuperintelligence

Builder

Peggy Johnson

Also known as Margaret L. Johnson

Peggy Johnson is chief executive of Agility Robotics, whose Digit humanoid robot is shown to run large AI models that adapt dynamically to new tasks. Before Agility she spent 24 years at Qualcomm, moved into business development as executive vice president at Microsoft, and then led Magic Leap, the spatial computing company. Business Insider named her the most powerful female engineer in the United States in 2017. In October 2026 she joins Project Meridian, a MITRE-led study of future warfare, as an individual consultant.

Now at
Agility Robotics
Photo of Peggy Johnson

Timeline

  1. By 2014

    Twenty-four years at Qualcomm

    Her starting point is a BS in electrical engineering from San Diego State University; 24 years at Qualcomm follow.

  2. 2014–2020

    Executive vice president at Microsoft

    At Microsoft, she serves as executive vice president of business development, reporting to CEO Satya Nadella, and she launches M12, Microsoft's first corporate venture fund.

  3. 2017

    Most powerful female engineer

    Business Insider names her the most powerful female engineer in the United States in 2017.

  4. 2020–2023

    Magic Leap's enterprise pivot

    In August 2020 she joins Magic Leap, the spatial computing company, as chief executive and leads its pivot from consumer to enterprise. Her departure comes in October 2023, once the enterprise pivot is complete.

  5. March 2024

    Chief executive of Agility Robotics

    In March 2024 she becomes chief executive of Agility Robotics. Its Digit humanoid robot is shown to run large AI models that adapt dynamically to new tasks.

  6. October 2026

    Joining Project Meridian

    Project Meridian, a MITRE-led study of future warfare, adds her as an individual consultant in October 2026.

  7. As of October 2026

    Still running Agility

    As of October 2026 she is still chief executive of Agility Robotics, a humanoid robotics and physical AI company.

Sources and credits

Photo: East Asia and Pacific Media Hub U.S. Department of State, via Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain. Source: commons.wikimedia.org. Cropped to a square and resized. Ask us to remove or replace this photo.

  1. Microsoft hires Peggy Johnson to head global business development news.microsoft.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Agility Robotics Appoints Peggy Johnson as Chief Executive Officer | Agility agilityrobotics.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Peggy Johnson - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Microsoft exec Peggy Johnson joins troubled augmented reality start-up Magic Leap as CEO cnbc.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson Selected to Join Project Meridian | Agility agilityrobotics.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Agility CEO Peggy Johnson Joins Project Meridian, Bringing Humanoid Logistics Expertise to Defense Study | Humanoids Daily humanoidsdaily.com. Checked 14 October 2026.