After over 25 years in the corporate world as a senior IT project manager, Elaine Birks-Mitchell realized her true calling was to create a meaningful, lasting impact for both people and the planet.

In 2009, she became a social entrepreneur by founding The Bra Recyclers, a for-profit company built on nonprofit values. Her goal: to help reduce landfill waste through textile recycling, while making bras and underwear more accessible to individuals and families in need.

Elaine leads with the belief that a company can be profitable and still give back generously — creating circular solutions that honor human dignity and environmental stewardship. Her efforts have donated over 4 million bras to 140+ nonprofits across 29 states and 8 countries.

Elaine continues to innovate through The Undie Chest, a philanthropic arm supporting schools and communities facing hygiene poverty. She is a respected voice in the social enterprise space, advocating for business models that prioritize purpose as much as profit.