Thomas Tierney

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was formed in 1997 as the William H. Gates Foundation. In 1999, the foundation was renamed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust was created in January 2000 through the merger of the Gates Learning Foundation, which worked to expand access to technology through public libraries and the William H. Gates Foundation, which focused on improving global health. The foundation participates in preventive approaches and collaborative endeavors with government, philanthropic and not-for-profit partners. Priority is given to grants that leverage additional support and serve as a catalyst for long-term, systemic change. The foundation also provides funds to promote greater equity in global health, education and public libraries. Through their partnerships in communities across the US, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to raising the high school graduation rate and helping all students, regardless of race or family income. The foundation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Bain & Co., Inc. provides management consulting services. It offers advisory services to the companies on their critical issues and opportunities: strategy, marketing, organization, operations, technology and mergers and acquisitions, across all industries and geographies. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Boston, MA.

Part of The Conference Board, Inc., Committee for Economic Development is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, business-led organization that delivers well-researched analysis and reasoned solutions in the nation's interest. The company is based in New York, NY. The company's trustees, who are chief executive officers and key executives of leading US companies, bring their unique experience to address pressing policy issues. The company collectively represents 30+ industries, over a trillion dollars in revenue, and over 4 million employees. Founded in 1942, the organization uses cookies to improve their website and offers products and services to enhance user experience. Committee for Economic Development was acquired by The Conference Board, Inc. on January 14, 2015.

The National Academies of Science operates as a private non-profit organization that provides advice in sciences, engineering and medicine. It conducted through seven major program areas: Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Earth and Life Studies, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Health and Medicine, Policy and Global Affairs, Transportation Research Board, and the Gulf Research Program. The company was founded on March 3, 1863 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution engages in the provision of marine research, engineering, and higher education services. It offers services which include understanding the area of research, program and projects, facilities and services, data and repositories, and MBLWHOI library. The company was founded on January 6, 1930 and is headquartered in Woods Hole, MA.

The Nature Conservancy is a conservation organization working around the world to protect land and waters for nature and people. The organization pursues non-confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation challenges. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

United Way of the Bay Area owns and operates charities. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.