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Sylvia Mathews
Sylvia Mathews
00:58

Sylvia Mathews

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."

Career Roadmap

Sylvia's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Politics, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Executive Director

I work to combat world poverty through agricultural development, financial services for the poor, and global libraries.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Political Science and Government, General

    Harvard University

  • Graduate Degree

    Philosophy

    University of Oxford, England

  • Graduate Degree

    Political Science and Government, General

    University of Oxford, England

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    After finishing college, she wanted to continue her schooling, so she left to do a second degree in England.

  • 2.

    Finally, she realized that after seven years of secondary schooling, it was time for her to find a job.

  • 3.

    Took a job with management consulting firm McKinsey & Company and moved to New York.

  • 4.

    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."

  • 5.

    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.

  • 6.

    She decided to take a break from government work, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and then pivot into the private sector.

  • 7.

    Her plans were derailed when the Gates Foundation called and made her an amazing offer that she couldn't refuse.

  • 8.

    Says you should periodically stop and force yourself to examine where you are in life, and if you truly love what you're doing.