What is the name of Michael's boss in the early seasons?

Michael's boss in the early seasons of The Office is Jan Levinson. As Dunder Mifflin's Vice President of Northeast Sales, Jan directly supervises Michael Scott, the regional manager of the Scranton branch.

Jan first appears in the pilot, informing Michael that the branch may face downsizing. Her corporate, policy-focused approach clashes with Michael's improvised management style, creating one of the show's recurring comic tensions. She frequently visits or calls Scranton to discuss sales, staffing, and company rules.

Jan and Michael later begin a romantic relationship after the episode “The Client,” but their personal relationship makes their professional dynamic even more unstable. Jan is eventually fired near the end of season 3 after her conduct and management decisions damage her standing at Dunder Mifflin.

A common mix-up is David Wallace, who is also one of Michael's superiors. Wallace is Dunder Mifflin's CFO and later CEO, while Jan is Michael's more immediate regional supervisor during the early seasons. Ryan Howard eventually replaces Jan in a corporate role after her dismissal.