Elana Amsterdam
1967 – 2025
Elana was a bright and determined light whose creativity and compassion touched everyone around her.
A passionate advocate for social justice, she co-founded the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and Charitable Trust with her husband Rob Katz, shaping its work in racial equity, mental health, and social justice. We feel her impact every day.
Elana also started two companies that were the definition of doing well by doing good. Ecosav, started in 1993, was a pioneer of recycling programs in New York City, and Elana was named one of the city’s 40 under 40 for her work.
In 2006, she founded Elana’s Pantry, bringing healthy, gluten free, and grain free recipes and wellness advice to millions of people. Elana was the author of three cookbooks, including a New York Times bestseller, and an investor in numerous cutting-edge wellness brands.
Elana’s philanthropic efforts extended beyond the Foundation – supporting organizations focused on healthy living and sustainability, including Pesticide Action Network and Not Putting on a Shirt. Elana was also a fierce advocate for women’s health and eliminating biases through systemic change in the medical system.
Throughout her life, Elana pushed herself and others to help create a more just world – she had unwavering passion for social justice. To honor her life and memory, we remain steadfast in our work to eliminate inequities, help people get the health care they need and deserve, and make the world a truly better place for all.
Charitable Contributions
Elana served on the Board of the Tulane School of Medicine and the Advisory Board of Not Putting on a Shirt. In addition, Elana passionately supported many non-profits throughout her life, offering both critical financial assistance and strategic partnership. These organizations included:
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Dedicated to transforming the criminal justice system so that it is more just and equitable for all people. Working to ensure communities are safe, health, and whole by empowering formerly and currently incarcerated people to thrive by providing a support network, comprehensive reentry services and opportunities to advocate for policy change.
Baby2Baby
Providing children in need across the country with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.
Boulder Community Health Foundation
Inspires giving in support of Boulder Community Health to enhance the quality and availability of health care in the Boulder community.
Castleman Disease and Collaborative Network
Dedicated to accelerating research and treatment for Castleman disease, supporting patients on their journeys, and revolutionizing biomedical research for countless other diseases.
Nevei Kodesh
Congregation Nevei Kodesh is known for its creative, meaningful, and joyful embrace of the spiritual riches of the Jewish tradition. Situated in Boulder, Colorado, Nevei Kodesh is an extended family of people from diverse backgrounds that come together to seek an authentic, inclusive, and egalitarian expression of Jewish life.
Not Putting on a Shirt
Advocating for optimal surgical outcomes for women who choose to go flat after mastectomy.
Pesticide Action Network
Using grassroots science, strategic communications and coalition organizing to build power with communities across the U.S. and around the world to confront the harms of industrial agriculture and build solutions.
Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center
Advancing research in the field of neuroimmunology and to discover the cause of, and the cure for, MS.
Tulane School of Medicine
Emphasizing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to training future physicians, offering a broad range of programs that integrate cutting-edge technology, community engagement, and hands-on clinical experience.
Impact Investments
Elana was a successful entrepreneur and a powerful innovative thinker. She sought out cutting-edge companies and invested in those that were doing well by doing good. Her investments included:
