An Evening with Penny Pritzker

Shapiro Associates • Jun 01, 2017

By Ian T. Brown Shapiro & Associates Law     I was recently invited to […] The post An Evening with Penny Pritzker appeared first on Shapiro & Associates.

By Ian T. Brown
Shapiro & Associates Law

 

 

I was recently invited to hear former Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker speak to a small group in downtown Chicago. In addition to her time in government, Secretary Pritzker has been at the helm of the Pritzker family businesses and has helped create five companies during her career.

During her speech, she spoke about her experience in the White House where she managed a 40,000-person Department of Commerce and commented on her vision for the future of her companies. However, the most inspiring part of the night was her discussion about how she came to know and work with President Obama.

When she first befriended President Obama he was a professor at the University of Chicago, and although she was uncertain of his political future, she believed in him. Early on Secretary Pritzker supported Mr. Obama’s political career merely as a friend and donor. However,  she later served as the chairwoman of his 2008 campaign finance team despite the fact that she had never previously worked in a political campaign. Though Secretary Pritzker did not admit it in her speech, many people credit her work as an essential component that enabled President Obama to overcome the massive Clinton campaign organization and eventually win the White House. All of this goes without mentioning that she dedicated her time to the campaign while still juggling her other business duties and role as a wife and mother of two.

The amount of determination, innovation, and hope she had in the face of uphill battles drew my attention. Hearing the stories of inspiring people like Secretary Pritzker reminds us all that when it comes to building value and serving others in our career, hard work and critical thinking are crucial to success.

*Photo credit : Wikemedia

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