Kelly Sawyer Patricof

Kelly Sawyer Patricof is a Canadian-American businesswoman and philanthropist. She was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2024.^[1]

Career

Patricof was a model in New York City, where she realized the needs of low-income families while volunteering.^[2][3] She is the creative director of Satine Boutique^[4] and made the Create & Cultivate 100.^[5]

Patricof co-wrote the children's book A Bear to Share.^[6]

She's been profiled by LaLigne,^[7] Rent the Runway,^[8] and the book 100 Making a Difference.^[9]

Baby2Baby

Patricof and Norah Weinstein are the co-CEOS of the Los-Angeles nonprofit Baby2Baby. The nonprofit was founded in 2011,^[3][10] and provides a "wide range of necessities" for families with newborns. It gained attention for producing diapers for 80% cheaper than the retail price.^[11] The nonprofit worked with the New York governor's office to distribute 20 million diapers at food banks in the state.^[12] Its "disaster relief and emergency response program" allows it to distribute necessities to families in the U.S. who are impacted by natural disasters;^[11] in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Baby2Baby sent 1.1 million items to Texas.^[3] In 2020, Baby2Baby worked with FEMA to distribute baby formula, which was undergoing a shortage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[12] They were recognized as one of the 10 most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company^[13] and made Fast Company's World-Changing Idea List.^[14]

Patricof and Weinstein host a yearly gala which has raised millions for their non-profit.^[2]

Patricof and Weinstein successfully lobbied California Governor Gavin Newsom to eliminate the state's sales tax on diapers.^[12][15]

In 2023, she was a speaker at the 30/50 Summit.^[16]

Personal life

Patricof was born in London. She grew up in Vancouver.^[3]

She lives with her husband and two children in Los Angeles, California.^[3]