Jun 20 2014
Melinda French Gates
American Philanthropist, Co-founder & Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Melinda Gates is a global iconic figure who has devoted her energies since her foundation’s naissance in 1994 to targeting the world’s three biggest killer diseases—AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria—among other scourges. She is a former unit manager for several Microsoft products such as Publisher, Microsoft Bob, Encarta, and Expedia. She retired from the board of Drugstore.com in 2006 to spend more time working for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Melinda was ranked in Forbes magazine list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in 2006, 2007 & 2008
Melinda earned a bachelor degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in 1987, and served as a member of Duke University’s board of trustees from 1996 to 2003. After joining Microsoft Corporation in 1987, she distinguished herself in business as a leader in the development of many of Microsoft’s multimedia products. In 1996, Gates retired from her position as Microsoft’s General Manager of Information Products. In 2005, she and her husband, along with musician Bono, were named by Time as Persons of the Year. The Gates couple received the Spanish Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation in 2006 in recognition of their world impact through charitable giving. [/expand]
Melinda’s influence over the world’s largest foundation is enormous. she works with local, national, and international partners to further the foundation’s goal of improving equity in four areas. She shapes and approves foundation strategies, review results, and helps set the overall direction of the organization. A capable and accomplished lady, Melinda Gates was a highly successful product manager at Microsoft and she brings to philanthropy a rare combination of compassion and the business skills she honed at Microsoft.[/expand]
A passionate and a shrewd businesswoman and speaker, Melinda Gates achieved amazing success at Microsoft. She plans to do it again with her very own style of philanthropy and offers audiences inspiration, education and hope.[/expand]
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Topics
Philanthropy
Global Health
Education
Empowerment
Digital Information
The Role of Women is Society
The Gates Foundation
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