Rick Ridgeway oversees Patagonia’s environmental grant making, environmental education and environmental projects including Freedom to Roam, a campaign to preserve wildlife corridors across North America.

A writer, photographer and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, Ridgeway has produced and directed more than 30 adventure shows for television. He has authored several books, including Seven Summits, The Shadow of Kilimanjaro and Below Another Sky. His articles have appeared in Outside, National Geographic, Readers Digest and many other publications.

Ridgeway is one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. He was a member of the first American team to summit K2. Rolling Stone magazine dubbed him “the real Indiana Jones,” and National Geographic honored him with its “Lifetime Achievement in Adventure” award.