THE DUSABLE WELCOMES PNC BANK’S PATRICK MCGEE AS NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN

Four new Trustees also named to help McGee and the Board guide the mission of the nation’s first independent Black history museum, a Smithsonian affiliate
Patrick McGee, the DuSable Museum’s new Board of Trustees Chairman. Photo provided by Hawthorne Strategy
Patrick McGee, the DuSable Museum’s new Board of Trustees Chairman. Photo provided by Hawthorne Strategy

 

THE DUSABLE WELCOMES PNC BANK’S PATRICK MCGEE AS NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN   

Four new Trustees also named to help McGee and the Board guide the mission of the nation’s first independent Black history museum, a Smithsonian affiliate  

CHICAGO – The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center announced the appointment of Patrick McGee as the museum’s new chairman of the board of trustees. McGee succeeds Patricia Knazze who served as chairwoman for five years and nearly twenty years as a dedicated board member.    

“The DuSable has evolved significantly in the last year alone, from announcing our rebranding initiative and name change, showcasing innovative and interactive exhibits, and bringing on new talent to our team,” said Perri Irmer, president and CEO of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. “Patrick has witnessed the evolution of the museum firsthand as a dedicated board member for several years. It’s no surprise that our peers have elected him to help guide the direction of the museum’s future. The DuSable will benefit greatly from Patrick’s leadership, passion and commitment to the community of Chicago. I have no doubt that he will help expand our growth and impact. We cannot wait to share what’s in store.”   

McGee is vice president and relationship manager for PNC Commercial Banking in Chicago. In his role, he supports clients with their commercial lending solutions, cash flow management, wealth management, growth and acquisition financing, risk management and personal financial needs. In 2021, McGee was ranked by Crain’s Chicago Business among the Notable Minorities in Commercial Banking. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and International Business from Kellstadt Graduate Business at DePaul University and a B.S. in Economics from Northern Illinois University.   

“I’m honored to have been elected by a great group of leaders who, like me, feel passionate about the opportunities and impact we can make to encourage curiosity and learning about Black history and heritage to visitors of all ages,” said Patrick McGee, incoming board chair of the DuSable.  

PNC Bank is currently the museum’s Black History Month celebration sponsor, which includes “Pass the Mic”, a series inviting guests to engage in dialogue about arts, culture and history, and “Coming to Africa” an in-person experience to celebrate the one-year anniversary release of the film Equiano. Over the years, PNC has provided more than $500,000 to help enhance educational experiences and nurture advocacy to ensure important stories are being told, including support for “The March” a virtual remake of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington for jobs and freedom.  

“We are thrilled to have Patrick welcomed as board chair of this renowned institution with affiliation to the Smithsonian. His experience in financial services and decades of commitment to advance diversity, inclusion and equity at work and in our neighborhoods aligns with our goal to identify ways to further spotlight the richness of Black history and culture,” said Scott Swanson, PNC regional president of Illinois and territory executive for the Midwest region.  

The DuSable has also welcomed the appointment of four new trustees to its board. Carmen M. Hernandez, executive vice president, general counsel at Clayco; Nancy Peal, senior interior designer, Onni Properties LLC; Dr. Gisselle Castillo Veremis, executive director of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD-CHICAGO) and Dr. Jeffrey Sterling, president and CEO of SIMPCO, LLC, America’s first managed preventive health organization.  

“As we begin our 62nd year, the DuSable Museum Board of Trustees is more diverse now than ever before, which contributes to the quality of our work and greater awareness of our world-class institution,” said Irmer. 

Members of the DuSable Museum Board of Trustees include:  

Patrick McGee, chairman; Sandya Dandamudi, vice chair; Patricia Knazze, vice chair; John C. Sciaccotta, Esq., vice chair; Franz Mullings, treasurer; Lisa Pilot, assistant treasurer; Wendy Walker Williams, secretary; Wendi Taylor Nations, assistant secretary; Sheila Wilson-Freelon, Esq., MDiv., Parliamentarian; Perri L. Irmer, Esq., president & CEO; Patrick H. Arbor; Andrea Berry; Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun; Gisselle Castillo-Veremis; Carmen Hernandez; Paula Jill Krasny; Esq., Jack Lynch; Nancy Peal; Timothy Rand; Jeffrey E. Sterling, MD;  Senator Donne E. Trotter; Honorable Desireé Watkins.   

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, is the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to the collection, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans Americans and people of African descent. For more, visit www.dusablemuseum.org and follow @dusablemuseum. 

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