Patricia Harris, born in 1956 and raised in New York City, attended Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale. During high school, she volunteered in the office of then-Congressman Ed Koch, igniting her passion for public service and laying the foundation for her extensive career in government and philanthropy. She served as CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies and as Former First Deputy Mayor of New York City under Michael Bloomberg, establishing her as a key figure in Bloomberg's philanthropic network. Harris has received recognition from the American Friends of Magen David Adom, highlighting her involvement in networks supporting humanitarian causes. Her background in New York City's public sector and leadership in major philanthropic initiatives position her as a connector in influence networks bridging government, business, and nonprofit sectors.