Yvon Chouinard is a rock climber, surfer, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry icon who started out blacksmithing pitons and went on to create Patagonia, known internationally for its commitment to protecting the environment. His wife, Malinda, is also a passionate advocate for the environment and became Patagonia’s first CEO, driving the company to create a workplace environment that truly worked for its employees.
After nearly 50 years, the family transferred ownership of the company to Patagonia Purpose Trust and the nonprofit Holdfast Collective, ensuring that every dollar that is not reinvested into Patagonia will be distributed as dividends to protect the planet.
