Richard Katzman

Richard Katzman is the NYC Chapter Chair of CALO, an organization dedicated to empowering leaders of nonprofit and social impact ventures through peer-to-peer mentorship and collaborative growth.

A seasoned executive and private investor, Richard brings decades of experience in building complex organizations and navigating global markets. As the former President, Chairman, and CEO of Kaz, Incorporated, he transformed the company from a $5M domestic business into a $500M multinational enterprise. Under his guidance, Kaz became the preeminent leader in multiple consumer health and home categories—spanning humidifiers, vaporizers, digital thermometers, and air cleaners—as the premier global licensee for Vicks, Honeywell, and Braun, orchestrating a period of expansive growth that culminated in the company’s successful sale in 2011.

Today, Richard focuses on fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and civic leaders through active philanthropy and mentorship. In addition to his leadership role at CALO, he serves on the boards of The Noodle Companies, YPO Big Apple Gold, and the YPO Democracy Group. A dedicated advisor to over two dozen early-stage startups, he also sponsors the annual Brown Venture Prize at Brown University. A native New Yorker, Richard is deeply committed to civic engagement and local community advocacy.