Melinda French Gates has announced her decision to step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the renowned nonprofit organization she co-founded with her former spouse, Bill Gates, over two decades ago.
In a heartfelt message shared on X, French Gates expressed the difficulty of her choice, emphasizing her immense pride in the foundation’s impactful work addressing global inequalities.
She commended the foundation’s CEO, Mark Suzman, and the expanded board of trustees following the couple’s separation in May 2021.
Looking ahead to the next phase of her philanthropic journey, French Gates hinted at new endeavors without divulging specific details.
As part of her agreement with Gates, French Gates will receive $12.5 billion to support her future initiatives focusing on empowering women and families, with Gates personally providing the funds rather than tapping into the foundation’s endowment.
The foundation will undergo a name change to the Gates Foundation, marking a significant transition.
‘Sorry to see her leave’
Renowned for its substantial contributions to global public health, the foundation has allocated over $75 billion towards combatting poverty and disease with a strategic business approach.
Between 1994 and 2018, Bill and Melinda generously donated approximately $59.5 billion to the Seattle-based foundation, underscoring their commitment to philanthropy.
Reflecting on French Gates’s departure, sociologist Linsey McGoey raised concerns about the concentration of power within the foundation and advocated for a more inclusive leadership structure to ensure equitable decision-making.
McGoey emphasized the foundation’s significant influence on funding allocation and the need for greater transparency and accountability in its operations.
Gates expressed gratitude towards French Gates for her invaluable contributions…
Post from www.aljazeera.com