Patricia (“Pat”) Knazze was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and through her educational journey attended Chicago Public Schools. She graduated from college with her Masters in Education and went on to teach for over 35 years in Chicago Public Schools, serving as an elementary school teacher and teacher/ librarian. In addition to her role as an elementary educator, she also was an Adjunct Instructor of Library of Science at Chicago State University.

Pat served on the Chicago Teacher’s Pension Fund (CTPF) for nearly 10 years, representing active teachers. In 2004, Pat was elected as the CTPF Board President. Under her leadership, CTPF became a pioneer for diversity and inclusion. Her visionary initiatives, that included adding diversity goals into the Funds’ investment policies, have become the blueprint for public pension funds around the country.

Pat is also a community volunteer, she currently serves as the Vice Chair of DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, where it is her passion, and commitment to continue the legacy of DuSable’s founder, Dr. Margaret Burroughs. Pat formerly served as a Board member of the Chicago Teacher’s Union Foundation and is currently a Retired Committee Member of the Chicago Teacher’s
Union.

Pat earned her B.S. in Elementary Education and her M.S. in Library Science and Communications Media
both from Chicago State University.