Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. AP When Satya Nadella first took the reins as Microsoft CEO in February 2014, the company was losing steam — fast.

Windows 8 had been a disaster. Microsoft employees were constantly battling behind the scenes for supremacy. And all the while, consumers and developers alike were losing the faith.

Times change.

As 2016 draws to a close, Microsoft has found its groove again as a company that provides software and services to everyone, on any device — and is even starting to convert some Apple fans to Windows.

There's still a lot that Microsoft needs to do. But we thought it'd be fun and interesting to take a look back at the life and career of Nadella, the CEO who is making it all happen at one of the biggest, most valuable technology companies on the planet.