The Gates Foundation announced the appointment of Dr Sri Mulyani Indrawati to its governing board, which was established in 2022. Dr Indrawati has served as Indonesia’s minister of finance and has held the roles of managing director and chief operating officer of the World Bank.
Dr Indrawati has worked on reforms across financial institutions and on economic and development policy. Her experience in these areas will contribute to the foundation’s governance and its work.
“Sri Mulyani brings deep experience in shaping equitable economic outcomes—expertise that is essential to achieving the foundation’s long-term goals,” said Mark Suzman, Gates Foundation CEO and governing board member. “Her leadership will help ensure that our resources continue to be used to expand opportunity, promote inclusive economic growth, and improve outcomes for communities around the world.”
Dr Indrawati joins the governing board following the foundation’s announcement last year that its endowment will be spent down over the next two decades. The foundation stated that its focus will be on ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without deadly infectious diseases, and lifting people out of poverty and supporting pathways to prosperity.
“With 20 years to make the biggest impact possible in the lives of those who need it most, I am honored to join the Gates Foundation’s board to contribute to this pivotal moment of challenge and opportunity,” said Dr Indrawati. “My collaboration with the foundation began nearly a decade ago, through work exploring how emerging technologies can expand opportunity and advance inclusive, sustainable development. I am deeply motivated to bring my experience in global finance, economic policy, and good governance to these critical efforts to save lives and improve livelihoods.”
Dr Indrawati will serve on the governing board alongside Ashish Dhawan, Dr Helene Gayle, Strive Masiyiwa, Thomas J. Tierney, Mark Suzman, and Bill Gates. Baroness Nemat (Minouche) Shafik is on a leave of absence while serving as chief economic advisor to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The foundation also announced the creation of the Africa and India Offices Division, which will be led by Ankur Vora as president, Africa and India Offices, in addition to his role as chief strategy officer. The division brings together the foundation’s country offices across Africa and India with the stated aim of strengthening regional and country input into strategy, priority setting, and execution.
In Africa and India, the foundation works with non-governmental organisations, the private sector, innovators, local communities, and national and state governments on health and development priorities. The foundation’s work in Africa began in 2012 and now spans five countries, with offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa. The India office opened in Delhi in 2003 and operates across multiple states.
Vora joined the foundation in 2013 and advises the chair and CEO on focus areas, investment decisions, and long-term direction, including the path to the planned 2045 closure. In his expanded role, he will oversee country offices across Africa and India and work with regional leaders, including Paulin Basinga, Africa director, and Archna Vyas, India Country Office director.
“As the foundation continues to increase its impact through 2045, the new Africa and India Offices Division reflects the central role these regions play in advancing our mission and the importance of ensuring that country perspectives continue to shape strategy, priorities, and how resources are deployed,” said Vora.
The foundation also announced the appointment of Hari Menon as president, Global Growth and Opportunity. Menon will oversee work in agricultural development, inclusive financial systems, digital public infrastructure, sanitation, large-scale food fortification, and global education. He succeeds Rodger Voorhies, who stepped down at the end of 2025 after 14 years with the foundation, including eight years as president of the Global Growth and Opportunity division.
Menon previously served as director of the India Country Office and South and Southeast Asia, where he worked with governments, civil society, and the private sector on health, education, and economic opportunity.
“The GGO division’s work covers sectors that can make a significant contribution to inclusive economic growth and human capital development over the next 20 years, especially across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa,” said Menon. “I’m excited to take on this position at a time when technological breakthroughs and innovative solutions are emerging from a wide range of public- and private-sector partners that can help lift millions of the world’s poorest people out of poverty and onto a path of prosperity.”