Sylvia Mathews
Executive Director
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA USA
“Don't be afraid of risk; decide what it is that makes you happy, and make that the basis of your decision-making.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationSylvia Mathews
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
After finishing college, she wanted to continue her schooling, so she left to do a second degree in England.
Finally, she realized that after seven years of secondary schooling, it was time for her to find a job.
Took a job with management consulting firm McKinsey & Company and moved to New York.
One day, she got a call from an old friend saying, "We want you on the Clinton campaign; you have 48 hours to come to Little Rock, Arkansas."
She took a leave of absence to work on the campaign...then she was pulled into the transition...and she stayed aboard for all eight years.
She decided to take a break from government work, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and then pivot into the private sector.
Her plans were derailed when the Gates Foundation called and made her an amazing offer that she couldn't refuse.
Says you should periodically stop and force yourself to examine where you are in life, and if you truly love what you're doing.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Executive Director
I work to combat world poverty through agricultural development, financial services for the poor, and global libraries.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Politics
Helping People
Interviewed By
Wellpinit - Seattle
Continuing on to Wellpinit, Washington, the Roadtrip Nation team interview Bob Brisbois, Tribal Council Secretary of the Spokane Tribe. The team then heads to Seattle to interview Sylvia Matthews, executive director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Next they meet with Jonathan Poneman, founder of Nirvana's original label, Sub-pop Records. Also, the team interview Ann Powers, rock journalist and senior curator of the Experience Music Project.
