Bay Path University

www.baypath.edu 13 Born and raised in a small town in Nebraska, Pat Pierce still has those Midwestern roots that are reflected in a firm handshake and a calm demeanor. You can tell she is confident in her person, a quality you immediately detect when you are in her presence. She also possesses one other characteristic—determination— cultivated by a long career in investment management. "I've been in the business world for a long time. As Chair of the Board, I want to bring that insight and experience to Bay Path." Pat knows first-hand the challenges that women can face. As a young girl, she spent summers in her grandfa- ther's brokerage office in her hometown, not doing clerical work, but managing a pre- tend portfolio of $1 million. Fueled by her grandfather's mentorship in finance, it was only logical her majors at Northwestern University were mathematics and economics. Often the only woman in her class, Pat also found that in her chosen profession, investment management, she had to interact with men and clients who were not accustomed to working with a woman. "I had to be creative in how I did my job. For example, I often found myself taking clients or trustees out to dinner. At the time, men were uncomfortable with women picking up the check. I learned to give the maitre'd the credit card before the meal to cover the costs. Figuratively speaking, I took gender off the table." In her own way, she was blazing a trail for women in a male-dominated profession. Throughout those years, Pat also retained her interest in helping other women. To keep her focus, she developed a personal mission statement that even now she periodically updates and reviews. It was this personal mission statement that became her connection with Bay Path. Through a conversation on a golf course with Bay Path trustee Roberta Bolduc, former Bay Path Chair of the Board, Pat discovered Bay Path. She quickly recognized that her own mission and Bay Path's had much in common, particularly helping adult women. In 2008, she joined Bay Path's Board of Trustees, serving on the investment committee, eventually moving on to the finance and then executive committees. Now, she is Chair of the Board of Trustees for Bay Path University. "I'm very excited to be in the role of Board Chair." states Pat. "I see the Board focusing on the broad, big picture. We are using technology to foster a more collaborative environment where the emphasis is on dialogue. The goal is to frame issues and problems and come up with solutions within the context of the big picture. We have to keep Bay Path on its upward growth trajectory and ensure meaningful metrics are being captured to help in decision making. Ultimately, we are working to support Bay Path's mission. There is much to do!" Even before this new role, Pat Pierce was determined to impact the lives of all Bay Path students, and provide relevant and life changing experiences. Pat's generosity has underwritten the annual One America trips, as well as helped alumni attend the Women's Leadership Conference, among many efforts. A member of the Bay Path Legacy Society, Pat has generously made provisions for a significant gift through her estate plan in support of students. From the beginning, she has been a strong supporter of The American Women's College both through her time and talent and philanthropy. She was also the chair of the It Begins Here: the Campaign for Bay Path. Now that's being mission driven. Patricia Pierce, CFA, retired from investment manage- ment in 2001. In June 2016, Patricia Pierce began her three-year term as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bay Path University. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Bay Path's Chair of the Board of Trustees is Mission Driven.

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