In 1987, Melinda French Gates embarked on a transformative journey by joining Microsoft after graduating from Duke University's business school. Her decision to work for Microsoft was significantly influenced by a conversation with a hiring manager at IBM, where she had received a job offer prior to interviewing with Microsoft.
During an insightful interview with LinkedIn News, French Gates recounted how a pivotal conversation with a female hiring manager at IBM altered the course of her career. After successfully completing two summer internships with IBM, she was offered a position with the company. However, the advice she received from her hiring manager encouraged her to pursue an opportunity with Microsoft instead. French Gates reflected, “My hiring manager at IBM said to me, 'If they give you an offer, you should take it.'” This unexpected guidance left a lasting impact on her career choices.
French Gates described the excitement and apprehension of moving to Seattle for her new role at Microsoft. “This is going to be a bit scary. I didn’t know anybody in Seattle,” she admitted. Nevertheless, her enthusiasm for Microsoft’s innovative projects fueled her desire to be part of the company. She joined as a product manager, marking the beginning of a nearly decade-long career that would see her rise to the position of general manager overseeing the company's information products.
It was at Microsoft where Melinda French Gates met her now ex-husband, Bill Gates. The couple married in 1994 but ultimately divorced in 2021 after 27 years together. French Gates left Microsoft in 1996 to focus on her family and philanthropic endeavors. Together, they co-founded the Gates Foundation in 2000, which has since become a major force in global philanthropy.
In May 2021, French Gates announced her departure from the Gates Foundation, indicating a shift in her philanthropic focus. She now primarily channels her giving efforts through Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company she established in 2015. In an op-ed for The New York Times, she shared a guiding principle that has shaped her career: “Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you.” This powerful message continues to resonate as she forges her own path in philanthropy.
Melinda French Gates’ journey from a job offer at IBM to becoming a prominent figure at Microsoft exemplifies the importance of mentorship and making bold career choices. Her ongoing contributions to philanthropy through Pivotal Ventures reflect her commitment to effecting positive change in the world. French Gates’ story serves as an inspiration, encouraging individuals to seize opportunities and set their own agendas in their professional lives.
