Early Life
Patricia A. Stryker was born on April 6, 1956, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is the granddaughter of Homer Stryker, an orthopedic surgeon who founded Stryker Corporation in 1941, a medical technology company. She attended the University of Northern Colorado but did not complete her degree.
Rise to Success
Stryker inherited a significant portion of the family shares in Stryker Corporation. She has channeled substantial portions of her fortune into the Bohemian Foundation, which she established in 2001. The foundation focuses on music education, community development, and civic programs, primarily in northern Colorado. Stryker has also been involved in politics, contributing to Democratic candidates and progressive causes.
Key Business Strategies
Stryker's wealth is primarily derived from her inheritance of shares in Stryker Corporation. She is also the founder of Bohemian Companies, a real estate firm. She also owned Stryker Sonoma Winery, which she sold in 2016.
Philanthropy
Stryker founded the Bohemian Foundation in 2001, which supports various local, national, and global nonprofits. She has donated millions to Colorado State University, including $20 million in 2004, mostly to benefit its football team. She and her brother gave a combined $10 million to fund the nation's first memorial to the victims of racial terror lynchings.