Melinda French Gates
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls. She founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, where, for more than two decades, she set the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropy. Melinda left the Gates Foundation in June 2024.
For over 25 years, Melinda has led efforts to unlock a healthier, more prosperous, more equal future. Today, she heads Pivotal, an organization she formed in 2015 that works to accelerate the pace of progress and advance women’s power and influence in the U.S. and around the world. Pivotal drives impact using high-impact investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy.
Melinda has seen firsthand how empowered women and girls transform families, communities, and countries. In her bestselling book, The Moment of Lift, she introduces readers to women whose stories have inspired her and writes about her own journey to becoming an advocate. Through her imprint, Moment of Lift Books, she amplifies other voices by publishing original nonfiction from visionaries working to unlock a more equal world for women and girls.
The second of four children, Melinda grew up in Dallas, Texas. She attended Duke University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics and an MBA. Melinda spent the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work.
Melinda has three children—Jenn, Rory, and Phoebe—and lives in Seattle, Washington.
See articles by Melinda French Gates
The capital women need, for the future we all need
Melinda French Gates on how leaders can boost women’s economic power
Climate and Development Finance: A transition framework for all
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