Bill Gates - from Microsoft to the Foundation
17 July 2008 at 11:42 am
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced he is giving up his day-today role leading one of the world’s largest computer companies to dedicate more time to his philanthropic Foundation.
And most observers believe his work-life changes are destined to resonate around the world.
According to the Gates Foundation, Gates will deepen his current responsibilities rather than add significant new ones.
The Foundation says he and Melinda will continue to champion strategies that reduce inequities in the United States and around the world and Bill will also raise global awareness of the foundation’s issues and build partnerships worldwide.
Partnerships it says that will help deepen and accelerate the work of the foundation.
Together with Melinda and Bill Gates Sr., Bill will work directly with the CEO and leadership team to ensure that the work of the foundation helps foster lasting change in the areas of global health, global development, and education in the
United States.
The Foundation CEO will continue to lead the daily work and direction of the foundation
During the past 11 years, the foundation has put in place a strong leadership team and now has more than 500 staff committed to helping people lead healthy and productive lives.
It is expected that Bill and Melinda’s roles within the foundation will evolve gradually.
Gates will also remain closely tied to Microsoft in a part-time role as its chairman and technical advisor.
The Foundation says its founder has described himself as an "impatient optimist." He believes the world is getting better, but it’s not getting better fast enough and it’s not getting better for those who need it most.
With the convergence of advances in science, technology, and communications,
Gates is optimistic about what can be achieved in his lifetime and is ready to step into a full-time leadership role with the foundation.
Gates has told the Foundation that there is much work to be done and he is eager to bring the skills that enabled him to engineer Microsoft’s success to the complex problems that impact billions of people across the globe—from AIDS, malaria, and extreme poverty to poor schools in the United States.
The Foundation says that coupled with a billion dollar pledge from Warren Buffet, Gates’ transition makes a powerful statement about the potential of philanthropy to change the world.
It says Gates has always had a passion for solving problems and will continue to look for ways in which philanthropy can foster advances that reduce the world’s greatest inequities.
