Melinda French Gates’ Career Path: From IBM to Microsoft

Melinda French Gates' career trajectory took a significant turn in the 1980s when a conversation with an IBM hiring manager steered her towards a job at Microsoft, ultimately defining her professional and personal life.

Turning Point at IBM

After completing two summer internships at IBM, French Gates received a job offer from the tech giant. However, it was a pivotal conversation with a female hiring manager that influenced her decision to explore opportunities at Microsoft.

The Microsoft Opportunity

Despite IBM's job offer, French Gates decided to interview at Microsoft, describing the company as "this little company" that seemed intriguing. When she informed her IBM hiring manager about the upcoming interview, the manager encouraged her to consider any offer she might receive from Microsoft.

Joining Microsoft

In 1987, fresh out of Duke University's business school, French Gates embarked on a new journey by joining Microsoft as a product manager. Despite the uncertainties of moving to the West Coast without knowing anyone, she was drawn to the company's innovative work and decided to take the leap.

Career Growth at Microsoft

French Gates thrived at Microsoft, climbing the ranks to become a general manager overseeing the company's information products. It was during her time at Microsoft that she crossed paths with her future ex-husband, Bill Gates, whom she married in 1994.

Transitioning from Microsoft

After nearly a decade at Microsoft, French Gates left the company in 1996. In 2000, she and Bill Gates co-founded the Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to global health and development. Despite their divorce in 2021, French Gates remains committed to her philanthropic endeavors through Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation firm she established in 2015.

French Gates' departure from the Gates Foundation was accompanied by a powerful message: "Set your own agenda, or someone else will set it for you." This ethos continues to guide her as she forges ahead with her philanthropic work.

As French Gates continues to shape her legacy beyond Microsoft and the Gates Foundation, her journey serves as a testament to the impact of pivotal career decisions and the pursuit of one's passions.

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By: ktan@businessinsider.com (Kwan Wei Kevin Tan)
Title: Melinda French Gates’ Career Path: From IBM to Microsoft
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/melinda-french-gates-ibm-hiring-manager-told-me-join-microsoft-2025-3
Published Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:39:44 +0000