Joanne Wilson, Founder & CEO, GOTHAM; Co-founder & President, Gotham Gives

Joanne Wilson will be honored for her longstanding commitment to STRIVE and her deep personal commitment to personal, educational, and financial empowerment. Joanne is a prominent early-stage angel investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with a diverse background in retail, wholesale, media, real estate, and technology. Along with her husband, Fred, Joanne founded and leads Gotham Gives, a philanthropy focused on making New York City a more equitable community that offers the same opportunities for all New Yorkers. Joanne came to STRIVE through Board Co-Chair Roy Castro. Her generous four years of grantmaking enables STRIVE’s Fresh Start Program to grow to provide more students with innovative and proven resources for reentry.

Joanne Wilson is a dynamic entrepreneur, angel investor, and philanthropist with a diverse career spanning multiple industries. As an early-stage angel investor, she built a portfolio of over 140 companies, with a strong focus on supporting female entrepreneurs and businesses that align with her values. In business and beyond, Joanne is steadfastly committed to philanthropy and social justice. She serves as the Chair of The Public Housing Community Fund and sits on the board of Friends of the High Line. With her husband, Fred Wilson, Joanne founded Gotham Gives, their family's public charity dedicated to initiatives that improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Joanne was inspired to support STRIVE after meeting Board Co-Chair Roy Castro. Gotham Gives provided initial and continuing support for STRIVE’s Fresh Start Program, which gives students innovative and proven resources to help them find meaningful work and lead productive lives. She is also partnering with STRIVE on her latest venture, GOTHAM, a cannabis concept store transcending the traditional dispensary experience by fusing art, design, fashion and culture alongside New York's best cannabis.