Social entrepreneur Patrick Woodyard built a radically different kind of fashion company — one that puts workers and the planet first, profit second. Now the founder of Nisolo, widely recognized as one of the world’s first social impact fashion labels, is coming home to share his unconventional journey.
Woodyard will speak at 4 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center as this year’s recipient of the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy’s 2025 Emerging Young Philanthropist Award.
“Patrick is an outrageously unique social entrepreneur who built Nisolo, a successful business that produces beautiful, high-quality leather goods in an environmentally respectful manner,” said Liz Randall, an OMWC member and former chair.
Randall notes that through focusing on the wellbeing of his employees, Woodyard improved the quality of life for his employees and families. He’s done this through providing health care, education, financial literacy and healthy working conditions far above the standard and norms for the region.
“Nisolo’s employee-focused business model has been an industry leader challenging the fashion industry to treat fairly both its employees and the environment,” Randall said.
The story starts in Peru. While working in microfinance, Woodyard encountered shoemakers trapped in a brutal cycle — unjust wages, dangerous working conditions, little hope. It was the same story playing out across the global fashion industry. Instead of walking away, he saw an opportunity to challenge an entire sector.
In 2011, Woodyard founded Nisolo with a radical premise: What if a fashion company treated its workers like human beings instead of production units?
The answer has been striking. Nisolo has supported thousands of workers across six continents—Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Cambodia, Kenya and the U.S. — paying 100% living wages and maintaining zero net carbon impact.
The company has generated more than $150 million in revenue through e-commerce and partnerships with powerhouse retailers including Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Madewell. Meanwhile, Nisolo has earned Re-Make’s No. 1 ranking for transparency and sustainability, Climate Neutral certification and top 10% status among Certified B-Corps.
Woodyard’s path to this impact began at Ole Miss. He studied global economics, business and Spanish, graduating summa cum laude from the Croft Institute for International Studies and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Even as a student, he was already thinking big: He was inducted into the Ole Miss Student Hall of Fame after leading the Associated Student Body and Sigma Chi fraternity while also spearheading multiple nonprofits and student groups focused on racial justice, philanthropy, community involvement and international poverty alleviation.
Since launching Nisolo, his work has earned national and international recognition. Woodyard has been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree, received the Top 100 U.S. Impact CEO Award three years running (2022-2024) and was honored as an Innovator Changing the South. He’s also served as board chair and strategic adviser for international manufacturers in South America and East Africa.
He and his wife and three children now live in Nashville.
The lecture is free, but reservations are required. To register, email omwc@olemiss.edu. For more information about the OMWC, visit https://omwc.olemiss.edu.
For more information, contact the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy, at omwc@olemiss.edu.
By Tina Hahn/UM Development