Mitchell Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winifred Mitchell Baker
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Baker in 2009
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Winifred Mitchell Baker
Berkeley, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley, (BA, JD) |
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| Spouse(s) | Casey Dunn |
| Children | 1 |
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Winifred Mitchell Baker is a very important person in the world of the internet. She used to be the leader (called the chairwoman) of the Mozilla Foundation and the CEO of the Mozilla Corporation. The Mozilla Corporation is a part of the Mozilla Foundation. It helps create and manage open-source internet programs, like the popular Mozilla Firefox web browser.
Mitchell Baker helped guide the business and rules for Mozilla. She was also on the boards of directors for both the Mozilla Foundation and the Mozilla Corporation. In 2005, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She stepped down from her CEO role in February 2024 and left Mozilla completely in 2025.
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Mitchell Baker's Education Journey
Mitchell Baker studied at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1979, she earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Chinese studies. Later, in 1987, she received her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the same university. This degree allowed her to become a lawyer in California that same year.
Mitchell Baker's Career Path
Mitchell Baker started her career in law. From 1990 to 1993, she worked at a law firm called Fenwick & West LLP. This firm helped technology companies with legal matters. After that, she worked for Sun Microsystems as a lawyer from 1993 to 1994.
Working with Netscape and Mozilla.org
In 1994, Mitchell Baker joined Netscape Communications Corporation. She was one of the first people in their legal team. She helped set up the legal department and focused on protecting the company's ideas and products. She also created a special group within the legal department for technology issues.
Mitchell Baker was involved with the Mozilla project from the very beginning. She wrote important legal documents for it, like the Netscape Public License and the Mozilla Public License. In 1999, she became the general manager of mozilla.org. This was the part of Netscape that managed the open-source Mozilla project.
Even after she was let go from Netscape in 2001, she continued to lead mozilla.org as a volunteer. In 2002, she also worked with the Open Source Applications Foundation, helping with their community work.
Leading the Mozilla Foundation and Corporation
Mitchell Baker played a key role in starting the Mozilla Foundation. This is a non-profit organization that began on July 15, 2003. It was created when America Online stopped supporting the Netscape browser and reduced its involvement with Mozilla. Mitchell Baker became the president of the Mozilla Foundation and joined its board of directors.
On August 3, 2005, the Mozilla Corporation was created as a separate company under the Mozilla Foundation. Mitchell Baker was named the CEO of this new company. She also joined the Mozilla Corporation's board of directors, while still being the chairperson of the Mozilla Foundation's board.
In January 2008, Mozilla announced that Mitchell Baker would no longer be the CEO of the corporation. John Lilly, who was the chief operating officer, took over the role. This change happened because Mozilla was growing very fast, and leaders needed to focus on specific areas. However, Mitchell Baker returned as CEO of Mozilla Corporation in April 2020.
In February 2024, Mozilla announced that Mitchell Baker would step down as CEO. She planned to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and internet safety as the chair of the Mozilla Foundation. In February 2025, Mozilla announced that she had left her roles as Chair and board member for both the Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation.
Awards and Special Recognition
Mitchell Baker has received several important awards for her work:
- In 2005, Time magazine included her in their list of the 100 most influential people in the world, in the "Scientists & Thinkers" section.
- In 2009, she received the Anita Borg Institute Women of Vision Award for her strong Leadership.
- In 2012, Mitchell Baker was honored by being added to the Internet Hall of Fame by the Internet Society.
Mitchell Baker's Personal Life
Mitchell Baker is married to Casey Dunn. They have one son.
See also
In Spanish: Mitchell Baker para niños
