Elected to the board September 9, 2004

Along with her husband, Melinda Gates is Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which seeks to reduce inequities in the United States and around the world. In her role with the foundation Gates shapes and approves foundation strategies, reviews results, advocates for the foundation’s issues, and helps set the overall direction of the organization.

She meets with local, national, and international grantees and partners to further the foundation’s goal of improving equity in the United States and around the world and uses many public appearances, including speeches, interviews, and articles, to focus attention on these issues.

Gates received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and a master’s in business administration from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in 1987.

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. Since then she has directed her energy toward the non-profit world.

In addition to her role with the foundation, she is a former member of the board of trustees of Duke University and is a former co-chair of the Washington State Governor’s Commission on Early Learning. She also served on the board of directors of drugstore.com.

Bill and Melinda Gates live in Medina, Washington, near Seattle. They have three children.