Bill & Melinda Gates foundation

As CAO, Martha Choe oversees the foundation's Human Resources, Security, and Site Operations teams. The foundation’s new campus in the heart of Seattle is one of her responsibilities. Choe joined the foundation in 2004 as the Director of the Global Libraries initiative in the foundation’s Global Development Program.

Before joining the foundation, Choe served as the director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, providing leadership for sustainable job growth throughout Washington State. As CTED Director, she led trade missions to Asia, Mexico and Europe and led a multi-jurisdictional team to win the assembly of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner over 47 states competing for this opportunity. Prior to that, Martha was elected to two four-year terms on the Seattle City Council and chaired the transportation and economic development and finance committees.

Prior to public service, Choe was a vice president at the Bank of California Credit Administration, Commercial and Private Banking. She also taught high school in Eugene, Ore. Choe has a bachelor’s degree in speech and ethnic studies from the University of Washington and received her master’s in business administration from Seattle University. She has long been active in civic and Asian American organizations and serves on several boards including as former chair of the White House Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders.