Born in 1971, Amy Wyss is a Swiss-American heiress who inherited her massive fortune from her father, Hansjörg Wyss, the founder of the medical device manufacturer, Synthes. Amy grew up immersed in a world of high-tech medicine and immense wealth, but her lifestyle and interests were heavily influenced by the American West, where her family established deep roots.

Wyss is a dual citizen of Switzerland and the United States. She received her formal education at Skidmore College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in History and Government. Unlike many heirs who jump directly into the family business, Amy embraced a passion for the outdoors and conservation, which was fostered by her father, a lifelong environmental advocate. This led her to serve on the board of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), laying the foundation for her career as a focused, place-based philanthropist committed to conservation and rural community development.

Amy Wyss’s business career had a key operational period within the family enterprise. From 2008 to 2012, she served on the board of directors of Synthes, the world’s largest manufacturer of implants for mending bone fractures and a producer of advanced surgical tools. This experience provided her with a hands-on understanding of the medical device industry, culminating in the massive financial event of Synthes’ sale to Johnson & Johnson for $20 billion in 2012, which solidified her billionaire status.

Post-acquisition, Wyss chose to dedicate her life to strategic philanthropy, stepping away from the corporate operations. She co-founded several small-scale, deeply personal ventures in the American Southwest, including the Twirl Toy Store and the Golden Willows Retreat (a bereavement center) in New Mexico. However, her most significant career shift was the establishment of the LOR Foundation in 2007. LOR is a boutique, highly focused foundation dedicated to improving the 'livability' of small, rural communities in the Rocky Mountain West, demonstrating a commitment to local, high-impact social and environmental projects far removed from the high-glamour finance world.

Amy Wyss's philanthropy is defined by its strategic, grassroots, and often environmental focus, mirroring the values of her father's larger Wyss Foundation. Her work is concentrated on the American West, a passion rooted in her family’s commitment to land conservation.

The LOR Foundation embodies her unique approach: elevating the rural voice and improving the quality of life in specific, small-town regions. Instead of making massive, impersonal grants, LOR focuses on empowering local organizations and projects, creating a measurable impact in communities that are often overlooked by larger national foundations. This focus on conservation activities and rural livability reflects a thoughtful, long-term commitment to preserving both the natural beauty and the economic viability of the region she calls home. She also served on the board of the Wyss Foundation, which supports environmental groups and progressive political advocacy.

Amy Wyss embodies the understated luxury and practicality of the American West's wealthy conservationist elite. Her style is defined by a casual elegance—favoring high-quality, functional attire that is suitable for the Wyoming and New Mexico landscapes she frequents, such as premium knitwear, tailored denim, and discreet outdoor gear. Her fashion reflects a commitment to a life lived actively, rather than passively observed.

Her residence in Wilson, Wyoming, near Jackson Hole, places her in one of the world's most exclusive nature enclaves, where luxury is measured by access to pristine wilderness. Her travel is largely focused on visiting the rural communities served by the LOR Foundation or participating in high-level conservation meetings. Her possessions are not symbols of consumption but tools of her vocation: private ranches, quality outdoor equipment, and, most importantly, the ability to control and fund vast swathes of land conservation projects across the American West.