Patagonia

Yvon Chouinard founded Patagonia in 1973, and is known for being one of the world’s most reluctant billionaires. For decades, he has been using the company’s brand and products to bring attention to climate change, environmentally-friendly business practices, and sustainability. In 2022, instead of selling the company or taking it public, Chouinard and his family transferred their ownership, worth around $3b, to a trust and non-profit. While Chouinard is an extreme example, we’ll dive into what we can learn about the role of business in a global society and ethics from Patagonia’s founder.