Patricia has worked in economic development and international affairs for the past three decades with the U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department, and the microfinance industry. She created the first women’s bond in the world to finance micro loans, for which she won the Global Purpose Prize for Financial Inclusion. Since 1998, she has helped establish seven domestic and international microfinance organizations under the Capital Sisters umbrella, raised loan capital for 100,000 women’s businesses in 25 countries, and served as a microfinance and gender advisor to the State Department where she represented the United States in the 21-nation Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) for a decade as head of the Women Leaders Network. Patricia lived in Europe for many years, managing the evaluation of international programs for the U.S. Congress, including the East European and Soviet portfolio after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Within the U.S., Patricia was the Co-founder of Colorado Microcredit, the Micro Business Development Center, the Colorado Microfinance Alliance, and is an Advisor to the Rocky Mountain Microfinance Institute. She serves on the boards of the International Fund of the Colorado Women’s Foundation and the Alliance of Professional Women, and is a member of the International Women’s Forum. Patricia is a guest lecturer for the international and business schools at Denver University and the University of Colorado. She developed her passion for international affairs during two tours in the U.S. Peace Corps, where she served in West and Southern Africa with her husband Britt. Traveling to more than 60 countries has provided her with incredible experiences – including five revolutions. Patricia has a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Colorado and Master of Public Policy and Program Evaluation from Denver University.