Strategy · Operations · Execution
Chief of Staff and strategy & operations leader with 11+ years across government, philanthropy, climate tech, and technology — designing the operating systems that turn vision into disciplined, measurable results.
By the numbers
From standing up Breakthrough Energy out of Gates Ventures to building AI-enabled operating systems at Microsoft Xbox — every role has left the organization more structured, more aligned, and performing at a higher level.
Portfolio of Work
Across government, philanthropy, climate tech, and gaming — organizations launched, leaders advised, landmark projects delivered, operating systems built, and teams shaped.
My Story
Three chapters. Foundation — learning how power, institutions, and public accountability actually work from inside government. Building — six years at Gates Ventures and Breakthrough Energy, helping lay the operational foundation that enabled the organization to scale, and eventually leading the operating model for its Communications Division. Scale — taking those same skills into one of the world's largest technology companies. The story runs from the bottom up.
Stood up the Gaming Data & Decisioning Platform from zero — recruiting 6 initiative leaders, establishing 3 cross-functional coordination layers across 9 primitives, and securing 48 engineers and vendor support across 90+ contributors. Pioneered an AI-enabled agentic program management system via GitHub, deployed to 30+ contributors and producing roadmaps, strategy documents, and CEO-level learning materials. Serves as strategy and operations partner to the Xbox Data, Insights & Rewards leadership team, owns the XPI portfolio prioritization process enabling monthly VP-level investment decisions, and manages a $4M budget — driving training completion from 71% to 100%.
Served as operational architect and strategic advisor to the CCO across creative, marketing, media, events, and Cipher News. Planned two leadership retreats (London and DC) and one full-team retreat (Paris). Managed a $16M investment portfolio and operationalized 100+ contracts across $5M+ in vendor work. Led the 2024 State of the Transition report to 554K+ impressions in week one, and served as operational lead for BE's flagship London summit — 1,500+ attendees from 48+ countries — while driving a 41% increase in digital engagement, 115% website traffic growth, and 50% newsroom expansion.
2024 State of the Transition → BE Summit 2024 →Managed the $4.5M Creative & Content budget and supported the $12M division-wide budget, implementing quarterly reporting that improved forecast accuracy. Led the inaugural 2023 State of the Transition report across 90+ portfolio companies — 65K+ sessions in its first month, Webby Award winner. Drove a content strategy that generated 6.9M social impressions, 30M+ paid media impressions, and nearly 300 unique stories in top-tier outlets. Executed 50+ contracts and maintained the master calendar that aligned the full communications team.
2023 State of the Transition →Led stakeholder outreach for the public launch and book tour of Bill Gates' How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, engaging 500+ stakeholders and partners. Simultaneously led initiatives on environmental justice and workforce development, organized events with 30+ key stakeholders for Bill Gates, advised the Editor-in-Chief on the Cipher News launch, and partnered with the Chief of Staff to strengthen collaboration across Gates Ventures, Gates Foundation, and Breakthrough Energy.
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster →Part of the core team that stood up Breakthrough Energy as it grew from 12 to 50+ people — managing brand and website development alongside the organization's launch. Concurrently managed $3M+ in funds for the Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative, including a $1M launch budget, producing seven guidance documents and three case studies to promote cross-sector data sharing. Briefed 30+ key stakeholders including the NIA Director and AARP leadership, and prepared executive updates for Bill Gates across both portfolios.
Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative →Four progressive roles spanning two and a half years — starting with board and commission appointments, moving to facilitating 30+ District Court, 4 Court of Appeals, and 2 Supreme Court judicial appointments, and culminating in designing and launching the Young Women's Initiative of Minnesota in partnership with the Women's Foundation of Minnesota. Managed executive scheduling for the Lt. Governor and served as liaison with advance and press staff across key events and appearances.
Young Women's Initiative →Served as the Senator's in-state representative across economic and workforce portfolios — staffing her at events, preparing 40+ briefings and legislative updates, and planning 15+ events and press conferences. Led roundtable discussions on net neutrality alongside Senator Tina Smith and Senator Ed Markey, and coordinated media preparation and speechwriting with the DC office.
The Pattern
Whether in government, philanthropy, climate, or technology —
the pattern is always the same.
I arrive when things are ambiguous. I build the systems, structures, and frameworks that create clarity. And I leave the organization performing at a level it couldn't before.
What I do
Community
I believe in the power of volunteering and making an impact by empowering others. Alongside my professional work, I've served on boards and contributed to organizations that advance equity, education, and opportunity — both locally and globally.
I'm actively exploring Chief of Staff and Strategy & Operations roles — full-time, senior-level, ideally at an organization navigating a meaningful inflection point. Washington, DC–Baltimore area, open to hybrid.
makonnen.lidya@gmail.com