Senior AdvisorPivotal Ventures
John is the Senior Advisor to Melinda French Gates at Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company created to advance social progress in the US. As Senior Advisor, John serves as a sounding board and thought partner and leads select strategic priorities on behalf of Melinda.
John previously served as the founding President & CEO of Pivotal Ventures after serving as Melinda’s Chief of Staff for many years. This followed more than 20 years leading strategic initiatives for global companies, including Microsoft, Disney and Starbucks.
A pioneer in social enterprise, in 1997 John cofounded Pura Vida Coffee, an organic fair- trade coffee company with distribution throughout the US. He is an Ashoka Fellow, an honor that recognizes entrepreneurs using business to transform society.
John received his MBA from Harvard University after earning a BA with Honors from Stanford University. He and his wife, Shelly, live in Seattle and have three sons: Jackson, Nick and Matthew.