PLT Board Members

The raw wildness of the lands at the southern end of the Americas has intersected the lives of the directors and advisors of the Patagonia Land Trust for nearly 35 years. Having received so much from the region, both professionally and personally, they have dedicated this effort to give back to a place that has given them so much.

Mission Statement

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, Chairman
Kris worked for Chouinard Equipment in Ventura, California, then assisted in the startup of the Patagonia clothing company and ran it as CEO for 12 years, building it into a worldwide business. She married Doug Tompkins in 1993, retired from Patagonia, Inc., and moved to southern Chile. There they created Pumalín, a privately-endowed park, open to the public, protecting over 800,000 acres of primary temperate rain forest, along with several other projects. Kris brings to Conservacion Patagonica her business experience and her expertise as a private philanthropist working in collaboration with Argentine and Chilean governments on land acquisition projects.

Yvon Chouinard, Chairman and Founder of Patagonia, Inc.
Beginning in the 1950s, Yvon manufactured climbing equipment. In 1973, he started his outdoor clothing company and named it after the spirit and imagination stirred by the very idea of Patagonia. Throughout his life, Yvon has been a leading alpinist, a world-class fly fisherman and a passionate surfer. His travels have exposed him to the degradation of the wild places he cherishes. This has led him to commit Patagonia, Inc., to support many environmental causes.

Debbie Ryker, Financial Advisor and CFO
Debbie worked as CFO of Esprit, helping to build the company into a multinational business operating in nearly 60 countries. Debbie is involved in several large-scale land conservation efforts and brings her extensive expertise in environmental philanthropy to the Conservacion Patagonica.

ADVISORS

Rick Ridgeway
One of the world's foremost mountaineers and adventurers, Rick Ridgeway has for decades been known to many through his writing, photography and Emmy award-winning filmmaking. Rolling Stone magazine called Ridgeway "the real Indiana Jones." Esquire honored him on their exclusive list of "the top men and women who are changing America." Along with three companions, Ridgeway became the first American to summit K2 and the first to do it without bottled oxygen. For fifteen years he was also owner/president of Adventure Photo & Film, building it into the world's most recognized outdoor stock photo and film agancy before successfully selling it to focus on writng and filmmaking. At the same time he has been active in the outdoor equipment industry, working as consultant for the Kelty Pack Co. for over 20 years. He has produced and directed over 30 adventure shows for television. His 40 articles have appeared in Outside, National Geographic and many other magazines. He is the author of six books, including the highly acclaimed Seven Summits, The Shadow of Kilimanjaro, Below Another Sky and most recently The Big Open about his expedition to northwest Tibet following on foot the endangered Tibetan antelope. Beginning in early 2004, Rick decided to change direction and, using his knowledge in media as well as the outdoor equipment industry, he accepted a position with the clothing company Patagonia as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Environmental Programs. Rick lives with his wife and three children in Ojai, California.

Federico Braun Argentine business leader, sheep rancher and member of long-time Patagonia ranching family Braun-Menendez.

Norberto Morita Argentine entrepreneur and long-time supporter of conservation, serving on many boards, including as trustee of several universities.

Michael Crooke President and CEO, Patagonia, Inc., former CEO and chairman of Pearl Izumi, former managing director of Kelty Packs and former president of the Conservation Alliance.

Chris Van Dyke Attorney, former brand and marketing director for Nike and Patagonia, Inc., with expertise in marketing and media relations.

Maria Leichner Reynal Argentine attorney, founder and executive director of Fundación Ecos, and consultant for World Wildlife Fund, USA.