LEANNE ELLIOTT YOUNG
Leanne Elliott Young is the CEO & Co-Founder of Patina, an AI technology company pioneering the future of post-purchase commerce.
Described by Forbes as "a notable force leading what fashion will look like over the next decade" and winner of the Global Sustainability Leadership Award 2026, Young is a globally recognised female technology leader working at the intersection of AI, commerce, compliance, culture and emerging technologies. Young has led seven world-first innovations, pioneering new commercial models across digital fashion, connected products, digital identity and post-purchase commerce.
Founded in 2026, Patina is building the operating system for a product's entire life, transforming Digital Product Passports from a compliance obligation into intelligent, revenue-generating infrastructure. By connecting authentication, care, repair, resale, ownership and customer engagement into one AI-powered platform, Patina enables brands to build lasting customer relationships while unlocking new commercial value beyond the point of sale.
Previously, Leanne co-founded the Institute of Digital Fashion (IoDF platform), the internationally acclaimed innovation company founded in 2020. Under her leadership, IoDF became globally recognised for pioneering industry-first innovations, redefining how global brands use technology as democratic tool for change, connected products, immersive commerce and emerging technologies. Today, IoDF's enterprise work, research and policy leadership have evolved into Patina, building the infrastructure for the next generation of commerce.
Global Leadership & Influence
- TIME100 AI Leadership Forum
- World Economic Forum, Davos
- WEF 100 Women of Davos
- UK Representative, UN Women Beijing
- Committee Member, TikTok Fashion & Culture board
- No.1 Woman in Web3 Europe
Leadership
C-suite technology executive and founder with over 15 years' experience translating emerging technologies, AI and culture into commercial growth through IRL × URL strategies.
Former
- Nike Global Entertainment (Innovation & Experiential Labs)
- Selfridges Group (Retail Innovation)
- Advisor to the UK Government and Saudi Arabia on AI, Web3 and digital infrastructure
Global Keynote Speaker
World Economic Forum (Davos), TIME100 AI Leadership Forum, Snap Global Summit, Vogue Business Technology Forum, Copenhagen Global Fashion Summit, Citi Digital Money Symposium, Vogue Singapore, LEAP Saudi and more.
Selected Clients
Meta, Snap, TikTok, PVH, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Prada, Balenciaga, Adidas, Nike, Alexander McQueen, Selfridges, Browns, Farfetch, Pernod Ricard, Soho House, V&A, British Council, Luxottica Group and more.
Accolades
- Forbes: "A notable force leading what fashion will look like over the next decade"
- Global Sustainability Leadership Award 2026
- Vogue Business 100 Innovators
- Global Vogue Leader (Vogue Poland)
- Industry Changemaker (Vogue Greece)
- The Future Laboratory Top 100
- Top 100 Women of the Future
- Vogue Singapore Top 100
- TaFF Innovation Prize Judge
- Vogue Business Judge
Boards
Transpire, AUCart, Soho House, Young Women's Trust, Her Stories, Metaverse Council and Mimosa House Gala Co-Chair.
Press
Over 300 international press features, including Forbes, Vogue Business, Vogue, Business of Fashion, CNN, TIME, The Guardian, Dazed, Office Magazine and New Scientist.
Academic
Harvard University, University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, Parsons School of Design, Istituto Marangoni and the University of Cambridge.
