Patricia Wilkins is a community development practitioner, social entrepreneur, and author whose work has spanned more than 25 years across the United States, Ghana, and beyond.

Patricia began her professional career in the fashion and textiles industry in New York City. She then spent years volunteering in underserved communities throughout New York before expanding her work internationally through volunteer missions in Russia.

Eventually finding her way to West Africa, what began as a personal commitment to support a small number of children through education evolved into the founding of BASICS International in 2000 — a long-term, community-rooted organization focused on creating pathways to opportunity through education, mentorship, economic empowerment, and innovation.

Over the years, she has become known for her hands-on leadership style, relationship-building across communities and sectors, and commitment to sustainable, people-centered development.

In addition to her community development work, she is the author of So You Started a Nonprofit… Now What? A practical and honest reflection on the realities of building and sustaining mission-driven organizations.