Patricia “Patty” McIlreavy is president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. At CDP, she works with funders, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners to mobilize a full range of resources that strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur.

With over 25 years of international humanitarian policy and practice experience, she brings a unique blend of operational and strategic expertise to disaster philanthropy. Throughout her career, she has focused on improving the aid sector’s effectiveness and impact; she led the development of the InterAction CEO Pledge on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Harassment of and by NGO Staff, signed by 126 CEOs upon its launch in 2018.

Before joining CDP in March 2020, Patty served as vice president of the humanitarian team at InterAction. For nine years, she directed the organization’s efforts to assist the humanitarian community in addressing needs globally. Patty lived and worked overseas for more than 17 years, primarily for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in positions of increasing responsibility and then for a diverse group of organizations, including humanitarian NGOs, the Red Cross movement, United Nations agencies, and NATO as an international management and training consultant. Patty earned an AA from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, a BA from the University at Albany, and a master’s in international affairs from the American University School of International Service. She was a 2014-2015 fellow of MIT’s Seminar XXI program .