Microsoft announced today that Panos Panay has appointed Amanda Langowski as the new lead for the Windows Insider Program.

“It’s clear we need the right person to lead this powerful community into the next era, which is why I’m excited to announce Amanda Langowski as the new lead for the Windows Insider Program,” Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay announced. “Amanda’s passion for Windows is evident in her 20-year career at Microsoft, which began with coordinating beta programs for Windows.”

The Windows Insider Program has been essentially leaderless since Dona Sarkar stepped down in October. But Ms. Sarkar told me late last year that she was continuing her relationship with the team on the side and that it had the right people in place to continue forward.

Today’s new appointment suggests that Panay, who recently picked up the leadership of Windows after threatening to bolt to Apple, isn’t so sure about that.

“Amanda will … drive the Windows Insider Program forward by enhancing our communication with legacy Insiders and growing the diversity of our community to ensure more customers are reflected in the products we’re building together,” Panay notes, seemingly referring to the communications issues that have dogged the Insider program for years. “I’m also looking forward to working hand in hand with Amanda to realize this vision for the future of the Windows Insider Program.”

Interesting.