Penny Pritzker

Penny Pritzker, born on May 2, 1959, is a distinguished American heiress, businesswoman, and lawyer who made history as the 38th United States Secretary of Commerce from 2013 to 2017. Her confirmation by the Senate was overwhelmingly positive, with a vote of 97 to 1, reflecting her strong reputation and capabilities.

A member of the influential Pritzker family, Penny was immersed in the family business from an early age. She rose to prominence as one of three successors to her uncle, Jay Pritzker, and has since founded several finance and real estate ventures, including PSP Partners, PSP Capital Partners, and Pritzker Realty Group. Additionally, she co-founded Artemis Real Estate Partners and Inspired Capital, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.

Pritzker's influence extends beyond business; she has served on the board of Microsoft and chaired the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Recognized by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world in 2009, her net worth is estimated to be four billion two hundred million dollars. She is also the sister of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Her commitment to community service is evident through her involvement with various Chicago-based organizations, including the Chicago Board of Education and the Museum of Contemporary Art. A long-time friend of the Obama family, she was an early supporter of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. More recently, from 2021 to 2022, she served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and was appointed the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery from September 2023 to August 2024.

Since 2018, Pritzker has been a fellow of the Harvard Corporation, and in 2022, she made history as the first woman elected as Senior Fellow. Her career reflects a blend of public service, business acumen, and a dedication to philanthropy.