Jeff Raikes is the co-founder, with his wife Tricia, of the Raikes Foundation, which works toward a just and inclusive society where all young people have the support they need to reach their full potential. The foundation focuses on youth-serving systems, seeking to make them work better on behalf of the most marginalized young people in our society.

Based in Seattle, the Raikes Foundation focuses on using the science of learning and development to advance more equitable learning environments and preventing and ending youth and young adult homelessness. The foundation recently launched an initiative aimed at increasing the effectiveness of philanthropic giving.

Jeff is the former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he led the foundation’s efforts to promote equity for all people around the world. Prior to joining the foundation, Jeff was president of Microsoft’s Business Division and served as a member of the company’s senior leadership team that set overall strategy and direction for the firm. He began his career with Microsoft in 1981 and was instrumental in creating the Microsoft Office suite of productivity applications.

Jeff is the chair of the Stanford University Board of Trustees. He is part of the ownership group of the Seattle Mariners and serves on its board. He also serves on the board of Costco Wholesale Corp. and the advisory board of the Raikes School at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.