skip to main content
Bob Hughes
Bob Hughes
01:33

Bob Hughes

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

San Diego, CA USA

"Go for it with courageousness. Don’t be afraid."

Career Roadmap

Bob's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Director of K-12 Education

I support educators and leaders working to make public schools more equitable, innovative, and empowering for all.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    History

    Dartmouth College

  • Doctorate

    Law

    Stanford Law School

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    I grew up in rural Wisconsin and got involved in education early as the student rep on my local school board.

  • 2.

    I studied law and began my career advocating for mental health patients and housing access in Northern California.

  • 3.

    I moved to New York to represent kids with special needs and took on a major school finance lawsuit for New York City public schools.

  • 4.

    That case was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it led to a $5.6 billion victory for students.

  • 5.

    I leaped from law into nonprofit leadership at New Visions, launching schools and support systems across New York City.

  • 6.

    I joined the Gates Foundation to expand my impact, supporting leaders and innovations that improve education nationwide.

  • 7.

    Today, I focus on transforming math education and helping schools harness AI for more personalized, engaging learning.