No former Microsoft executives were named to the board, even though two of the foundation’s past chief executives came from the software company (as did Ms. French Gates and, of course, Mr. Gates).There are other signs of a slight loosening of the grip of the founders. Mr. Suzman wrote the organization’s 2022 annual letter, a document that Mr. Gates and Ms. French Gates had both signed in previous years. The letter — seen as the most prominent articulation of why and how the foundation was spending money — was once a bone of contention in their marriage. Ms. French Gates shared a story of fighting the prospect …
