Penny Pritzker

Penny Pritzker is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and public official who served as the 38th United States Secretary of Commerce under President Barack Obama and was appointed as the inaugural United States Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery by President Joe Biden. A member of the prominent Pritzker family, she built a significant career in real estate, hospitality, and financial services before entering government. Her tenure has been marked by advocacy for economic competitiveness, workforce development, and international trade.

Early life and education

Born into the wealthy and influential Pritzker family in Chicago, she is the daughter of Donald Pritzker and the niece of philanthropist Jay Pritzker, founder of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation. She attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools before earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard University in 1981. She subsequently pursued joint degrees, receiving a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School and a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Business career

Her business career began with roles at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, where she served on the board of directors. She co-founded and chaired PSP Capital Partners and its affiliate Pritzker Realty Group, focusing on real estate and private equity investments. She was a founding director and chairman of The Parking Spot, a national airport parking company, and served as chairman of TransUnion following its separation from the Marmon Group. She also held board positions at Carnegie Endowment, Microsoft, and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.

Political and diplomatic career

A longtime supporter and fundraiser for the Democratic Party, she served as national finance chair for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. In 2013, she was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate as United States Secretary of Commerce. During her tenure, she prioritized initiatives like the SelectUSA investment summit, the Digital Economy Agenda, and the Skills for Business task force. In September 2023, President Joe Biden appointed her as the first United States Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery, tasked with mobilizing public and private investment for Ukraine.

Philanthropy and civic engagement

She has been deeply involved in educational and civic institutions, serving as a member of the Harvard Corporation, the governing board of Harvard University. She previously chaired the Chicago Public Education Fund and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Alongside her husband, Bryan Traubert, she co-founded the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, which supports civic initiatives in Chicago, including Chicago CRED, a violence reduction program. She has also been involved with the Economic Club of Chicago and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Personal life

She married ophthalmologist and entrepreneur Bryan Traubert in 1990, and they have two adult children. The family resides in Chicago. Her siblings include former Commerce Secretary nominee John Pritzker and philanthropist Gigi Pritzker. As an heir to the Pritzker family fortune, her net worth has been estimated in the billions, derived from holdings in Hyatt, the Marmon Group, and other investments.

Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:United States Secretaries of Commerce Category:American businesspeople Category:People from Chicago