Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Gates Foundation, has recently announced her departure from the foundation to embark on a new mission. Gates is set to focus on investing in the next generation of female leaders and tackling the prevalent ‘bro culture’ in the tech industry.
Gates shared her experiences with Microsoft’s male-dominated culture and how it influenced her leadership style. She recalled her time at Microsoft in the 1980s, where she almost quit two years in due to the hard-charging pace and the debate-oriented, rough and tumble leadership style. However, she chose to stay and break through the barriers at Microsoft.
Gates’s decision to leave the Gates Foundation and devote more time to supporting women leaders comes as no surprise. After graduating from Duke University, she joined Microsoft in 1987 as one of the few female managers. Despite working at the company for nine years, Gates initially disliked Microsoft’s culture and how it influenced her leadership development.
As part of her separation from the Gates Foundation, Gates will be provided with $12.5 billion to invest in her philanthropic endeavors. She plans to use this fund to continue her lifelong work on behalf of women and families.
The tech industry’s ‘bro culture’ has been a significant barrier for women in tech. In a 2024 Women in Tech survey, 72% of women reported experiencing a prevalent ‘bro culture’ at work leading to microaggressions ranging from being spoken over during meetings to being asked to supply the food for meetings.
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