Early Life
Doris Lee Feigenbaum was born on August 23, 1931, in San Francisco, California. Her father, B. Joseph Feigenbaum, was a Harvard-educated attorney and California state legislator, and her mother, Dorothy Bamberger Feigenbaum, was a New York native. Doris grew up in a Jewish-American family.
Rise to Success
Doris Fisher co-founded Gap Inc. in 1969 with her husband, Donald Fisher. The initial store, motivated by a personal need for better-fitting jeans, opened in San Francisco, selling Levi's and records. Doris handled merchandising duties from the company's inception until 2003 and served on the board until 2009, contributing to Gap's expansion into a global empire with brands like Old Navy and Banana Republic. She was instrumental in developing Gap's style and brand identity, and she served as the company's merchandiser until 2003. In 2003, she was inducted into the National Retail Federation's Hall of Fame.
Key Business Strategies
Doris Fisher played a key role in developing Gap's signature style and brand identity. From the beginning, the business focused on accessible and quality denim. Fisher served as the company's merchandiser until 2003, and her strategic decisions helped guide the company through many years of success and growth.
Philanthropy
Doris Fisher co-founded the KIPP Foundation in 2000 with her husband, with an initial investment of $15 million. The foundation supports the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) charter schools. The Fishers also established the Gap Foundation in 1977 to aid employee and community initiatives. They have donated more than $70 million to KIPP over the years. Additionally, she has donated to Teach For America. The Fishers have also supported the arts by amassing a $1 billion art collection. She has loaned this collection to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
