Kate Roberts

Kate Roberts' late father was a ship’s captain. By the time Roberts was twelve she had seen more of the world, its beauty, vastness and social inequities than most people would see in two lifetimes. These early life imprints, coupled with several harrowing experiences she endured while working in Eastern Europe, fueled in her a fierce determination to make a difference in the lives of women around the globe.

From 1999 until recently, Roberts was Senior Vice President for Population Services International (PSI), a Washington, DC based $500M global NGO, that operates in 50 countries. By establishing meaningful relationships with a number of successful business women and philanthropists, she has raised hundreds of millions of dollars; created public and private partnerships and impacted the lives of women across the world. As a leader in global philanthropy and social change Roberts has parlayed her business acumen and marketing background into a “Madison Avenue” approach; setting concrete goals and delivering measurable results.

To that end, in 2012 Roberts founded Maverick Collective (a PSI initiative) to develop impactful projects in the developing world with which to tackle women’s health issues. Engaging Melinda Gates, Dr. Precious Motsepe and the Crown Princess of Norway as Co-Chairs, Maverick Collective is redefining what it means to be an effective philanthropist and innovator. Roberts describes herself as a pioneer in developing a new type of philanthropy – going beyond the checkbook, using time, talent, and treasure to become a more powerful and efficient advocate for mission-driven philanthropy to end extreme poverty.

Historically, Roberts’ energies have been focused on global initiatives. Recently, her vision has brought her focus closer to home. Early in 2020 Roberts launched Ikigai Company, a private consulting practice dedicated to advising families, individuals and organizations on strategies to design and execute customized and purpose-driven fundraising.

Inspired by the importance of empowering women at the most fundamental level, early 2021 Roberts founded The Body Agency, an ecommerce, femtech start-up and a global movement making it easy for women to have access to body health and sexual wellness products, services and education. Her aim is to provide women of all ages and cultural backgrounds an online sanctuary for exploring their body health and intimacy in a modern, affordable and fearless way.

Public speaker, and producer of documentaries, and speaking five languages, Roberts routinely appears on TV and in print media, reprising her role as a champion for all that supports the ethos of women. Examples include: 2007 Young Global Leader at The World Economic Forum (WEF), Founding Curator of WEF Global Shapers, Fox News Power Player of the Week, Public Policy top 100 Thinkers, Fast Company Top 100 Most Creative, Vogue 100 Top women, CNN Hero, Jack Valenti AIDS Leadership Award and Fortune's Most Powerful Women.

At the core of her being, is her desire to raise her daughter Lilly in an environment where passion and purpose are the norm and young girls are encouraged to develop into tomorrow’s leaders and be free to embrace all of life’s opportunities.