Melinda French Gates serves as co-chair and trustee of the Gates Foundation, along with her husband Bill, shaping and approving foundation strategies, reviewing results, advocating for the foundation's issues, and helping set the overall direction of the organization.

Melinda 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 Corp. 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, Gates has directed her energy toward the nonprofit 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 Learn...

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