Patricia "Patty" McIlreavy is president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the only full-time resource dedicated to helping donors maximize their impact in response to disasters. Since joining CDP, she has led six consecutive years of record strategic growth, built an eight-figure financial reserve and strengthened governance by expanding and diversifying the board and establishing long-term sustainability practices. She launched innovative preparedness and equitable recovery funds and helped secure major, unrestricted philanthropic investments that expanded CDP’s influence and operational depth. Her leadership centers on strategic planning, fiscal responsibility and organizational resilience. She brings more than 30 years of experience in humanitarian relief and post-conflict development, including 17 years living overseas in Africa and the Middle East. Her career has centered on strengthening systems, listening to communities and improving how aid is delivered. Patty has worked alongside nonprofits, philanthropy, governments and the United Nations across both U.S. domestic and global contexts. Before joining CDP, she served as vice president of the humanitarian team at InterAction. Today she is a recognized voice in disaster philanthropy, a frequent speaker and media contributor. She believes that good intentions are not enough and that philanthropy can help communities recover with dignity when power and partnership are shared.