American business executive and philanthropist (1936–2024)
Ann Schmeltz Bowers (November 1937 – January 24, 2024) was an American business executive and philanthropist.[1][2] She served as Intel Corporations head of personnel and later served as the first Vice President of Human Resources at Apple Corporation.[1] She was married to Bob Noyce until his death in 1990. She was chair of the Noyce Foundation.[1]
Early life and education
Bowers received a B. A. in English from Cornell University in 1959 and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Santa Clara.[3][1]
Career
Bowers started at Intel Corporation in 1970 and in 1976 when she left, was their first Director of Personnel.[1] In 1980, she was hired as Apple's first Vice President of Human Resources.[1]
Philanthropy
Bowers, along with her husband's daughter and brother, founded the Robert Noyce Foundation after her husband, Intel founder Robert Noyce, died in 1990.[4] The foundation focuses on education particularly in STEM fields.[4] In 2020, she personally gifted more than $100 million to Cornell University establishing the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.[5][6]
Personal life and death
Bowers married Robert Noyce in 1974 when both worked at Intel Corporation.[1] She received an honorary PhD from Santa Clara University.[1] Bowers died on January 24, 2024, at the age of 86.[2]
References