Melinda French Gates on disrupting society with new philanthropic focus, finding her voice

Melinda French Gates says her recent departure from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was an "evolution" rather than a sudden move. After years of careful planning and confidence in the foundation's leadership and its CEO, Mark Suzman, the 59-year-old philanthropist felt the institution was in a great place, allowing her to step out.

"This seems like the right time," she said.

Founded in 2000, the Gates Foundation has focused on tackling global challenges such as poverty, disease, and inequity. Her years of experience with the nonprofit showed French Gates firsthand the impact of empowering women and girls and led her to create Pivotal Ventures in Seattle in 2015.