Patricia Bahamonde

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT PATRICIA BAHAMONDE

Corporate Philanthropy Leader | Social Impact Strategist | Founder of Global Refugee Relief FundPatricia Bahamonde is a seasoned nonprofit and philanthropic leader with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of financial services, community development, and social impact. She currently serves as Senior Development Director at Special Olympics Northern California, where she leads strategic fundraising initiatives to expand programs that empower athletes through the transformative power of sport.Previously, Patricia served as Corporate Philanthropy Officer at LifeMoves, one of Silicon Valley’s leading nonprofits addressing homelessness. In that role, she cultivated partnerships with top Bay Area companies, led large-scale corporate engagement initiatives, and secured critical funding to help individuals and families transition from homelessness to stability.A passionate advocate for underserved and displaced communities, Patricia is also the Founder and Director of the Global Refugee Relief Fund, an organization she launched in 2019 to support refugee populations through direct relief, fundraising, and on-the-ground volunteer operations. Her work has taken her from the Bay Area to refugee camps in Greece and Mexico, where she has conducted needs assessments, led children’s programming, and coordinated international volunteer teams.Before transitioning into philanthropy full-time, Patricia held senior leadership positions in private banking, residential lending, and community investment at Boston Private Bank, where she was recognized for her service to first-time homebuyers and support of local housing initiatives.Throughout her career, Patricia has been known for her commitment to equity, dignity, and tangible impact. She is widely respected for her ability to build cross-sector partnerships, mobilize resources around mission-driven goals, and bring strategic creativity to every initiative she leads. Her volunteer work includes roles with Junior Achievement, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, and refugee-focused organizations in Europe.Patricia holds certifications from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Stanford University, among others. She brings a rare blend of financial acumen, fundraising expertise, and global perspective to all of her work.