About Pivotal

We’re focused on
creating lasting change.

Pivotal was founded by Melinda French Gates to accelerate the pace of social progress. Through high-impact investments, philanthropy, partnerships, and advocacy, we’re working to get more power in the hands of more people—especially women.

  • Four women in a panel discussion about digital-native youth at SXSW.

    Photo by Katie Hayes Luke for Pivotal Ventures

    (left to right) Kelsey Noonan, Emily Weinstein, Katya Hancock, and Kyra Kyles on stage at Pivotal's SXSW 2024 panel, "Teens, Screens & Wellbeing."

  • Pivotal founder Melinda French Gates sitting down in a playroom, listening to someone out of frame.

    Photo by Nicky Quamina-Woo for Pivotal Ventures

    Melinda French Gates listening to a partner during their conversation.

  • Three women speaking to an audience at a panel interview on creating economic opportunities for women of color.

    Photo by Tim Caver for Pivotal Ventures

    (left to right) Erin Harkless Moore, Kimmy Paluch and Dr. Monique Couvson speaking on a Mosaic Genius panel, "Funding for Impact - Creating Economic Opportunities for Women of Color" in 2023.

  • A woman talking to a coworker out of frame in a conference room, with another coworker listening behind her.

    Photo by Jenny Jimenez for Pivotal Ventures

    Nicole Bates and Haven Ley listening to a colleague in the Pivotal office.

  • Three women working together at a table in the office, talking to a coworker out of frame.

    Photo by Kim Cook for Pivotal Ventures

    (left to right) Sadie Kliner, Jennifer Stybel, and Celiné Justice during a team meeting.

  • A woman in conversation with coworkers next to her and out of frame in the Pivotal Ventures office.

    Photo courtesy of Pivotal Ventures

    Renee Wittemyer speaking to colleagues in the Pivotal office.

  • A woman speaking to an audience at the Growth Warrior Capital Summit in 2023.

    Photo courtesy of Pivotal Ventures

    Renata Aráuz-DeStefano speaking on a panel at the Growth Warrior Capital Summit in 2023.

"We see expanding women’s power and influence not as a single issue but rather as a prerequisite to progress on more or less every issue."

Brooke D. Anderson
Brooke D. Anderson
President, Pivotal Ventures

Our Story

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Melinda French Gates founded Pivotal to advance social progress in areas where it has stalled.  

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To date, Melinda French Gates has committed $2 billion to expand women’s power and influence.

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Women’s power & influence = More women in positions where they can make decisions, control resources, and shape policies and perspectives.
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“For too long, a lack of money has forced organizations fighting for women's rights into a defensive posture while the enemies of progress play offense. I want to help even the match.” Melinda French Gates

Building the Mental Health System That Young People Need and Deserve
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Bridging the Gap: Women‑led Funds Are Seizing Opportunities Others Have Missed

Our Leadership

Brooke D. Anderson
Brooke Anderson
President
Hye Baek
Hye Baek
Senior Vice President and Chief People & Culture Officer
Jennifer Baxi
Jenny Baxi
Vice President, Equity & Belonging
Jillian Diamant
Jillian Diamant, JD
Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
Erin Harkless Moore
Erin Harkless Moore, CFA
Vice President and Managing Director, Investments
Haven Ley
Haven Ley
Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
Hallie Ross
Hallie Ross
Vice President, Executive Engagement
Paul Silva
Paul Silva
Vice President, Communications
Courtney Wade
Courtney Wade
Vice President, Communications
Renee Wittmyer
Renee Wittemyer, PhD
Vice President, Program Strategy

When it comes to solving big, complicated problems, it helps to have a lot of tools in your toolbox. That’s why we bridge the worlds of philanthropy, venture capital, and advocacy.

Since our founding in 2015, we've used different kinds of funding to achieve our mission to advance social progress—including venture capital investments, philanthropic grantmaking, and advocacy funding. In 2022, Melinda formed Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) private foundation, to support her grantmaking and help facilitate this flexible approach to driving impact.

Learn more about our approach
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