Melinda French Gates

Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist and advocate for women and girls worldwide. She earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics and an MBA from Duke University before joining Microsoft as a marketing manager, eventually becoming a general manager. At Microsoft, French Gates led the development of several multimedia products, including Microsoft Word and Expedia. Her experience in the technology sector influenced her commitment to advancing gender equity in the workplace and beyond.

French Gates co-chaired the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest private charitable organization. The foundation's primary objectives include enhancing healthcare, reducing extreme poverty globally, and expanding educational opportunities and access to information technology in the United States. French Gates and Bill Gates donated $750 million to launch GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, which has contributed to a significant reduction in child mortality from preventable diseases. She also led the London Summit on Family Planning, aiming to provide more than 120 million women in developing countries with access to contraceptives. For their philanthropic work in global health, development, and education, French Gates and Bill Gates have received numerous awards and honors, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honour. They were also named Persons of the Year by Time, alongside Bono.

French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures as an independent organization to develop and implement innovative solutions for issues affecting women and families in the United States. The organization focuses on areas such as women in technology, women and girls of color, women's political power, caregiving, paid family and medical leave, and mental health for young people. After leaving the Gates Foundation, French Gates launched a $1 billion initiative centered on women's and family issues and allocated $12.5 billion for her own philanthropic efforts. As part of this commitment, she announced funding recipients of a $250 million open call supporting organizations worldwide that address women's physical and mental health, with grantees in 22 countries.

French Gates is also an author whose work amplifies her advocacy. Her book, "The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World," explores the impact of empowering women and highlights the issue of unpaid work. She also published "The Next Day: Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward." French Gates created Moment of Lift Books in partnership with Flatiron Books, an imprint dedicated to publishing nonfiction by leaders working toward gender equality. She has delivered commencement addresses, including at Stanford University, reinforcing her role as a prominent voice in gender equity, global health, and social progress. Her career spans technology, philanthropy, publishing, and advocacy, establishing her as a leading figure in these fields.