Greta Bull

Director, Women's Economic Empowerment at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Greta L. Bull is a prominent figure in the field of women's economic empowerment and international development. She currently serves as the Director of Women's Economic Empowerment at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a position she has held since August 2021.1 3

Professional Experience

In her current role, Bull oversees a portfolio of investments covering gender data and evidence, women's economic collectives (WECs), and livelihoods development for poor women.1 4 Her work focuses on expanding economic opportunities for women in developing countries.

Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Bull had an extensive career in development finance:

CEO of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor): She led this independent think tank housed within the World Bank Group for six years, from August 2015 to July 2021.3 5
International Finance Corporation (IFC): Bull held various positions at the IFC, including Manager for Financial Institutions Advisory Services in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa.1 3
World Bank Group: She worked for 15 years at the World Bank Group in total, gaining significant experience in financial services for the poor.1

Expertise and Focus Areas

Bull has over 20 years of experience in development finance, with a particular focus on:

Small and medium enterprise finance
Microfinance
Digital financial services
Payments systems
Livelihoods development

She has worked extensively with financial services providers, development partners, and policymakers across various regions, including Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia.1 4

Education

Greta Bull holds a master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and an undergraduate degree in International Studies from the University of Washington.1 2

Throughout her career, Bull has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding financial inclusion and economic opportunities for underserved populations, particularly women in developing countries.