Biography

“From the battlefield to the boardroom, success has always meant leading with integrity, taking risks, and building something that lasts.”

Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer N. Pritzker (Ret.) is a distinguished military veteran, historian, businesswoman, investor, developer, and philanthropist. With a lifelong commitment to service and innovation, she has built a legacy centered on civic engagement, military heritage, and the creation of long- term value across business and nonprofit sectors.

A veteran of 27 years, Pritzker began her military career as a Private in the U.S. Army in 1974, serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. She later earned an officer commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Loyola University Chicago, rising to the rank of Captain while serving with the 101st Airborne Division and VII Corps in the Federal Republic of Germany.

After leaving active duty in 1985, she continued her service in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Illinois Army National Guard, retiring in 2001 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Upon retirement, she was honored with the rank of honorary Colonel in the Illinois National Guard.

Her military distinctions include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Antarctica Service Medal, and the State of Louisiana Legion of Merit. She also earned multiple qualifications such as the U.S. Army Air Assault Badge and U.S. Army Parachute Badge, as well as parachute badges from Israel, Russia, Canada, Poland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

In 1994, Pritzker founded TAWANI Enterprises, a visionary umbrella organization with a private equity portfolio consisting of innovative startups and mature companies across industries. The company also supports a range of nonprofit initiatives focused on military history and education.

TAWANI provides centralized services for its affiliated entities including, TAWANI Property Management, Mission94 Firearms Education Center, TAWANI Ventures, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, TAWANI Foundation, the Pritzker Military Foundation, Master Wings Publishing, and Aurum Trading, a gold coin trading market maker.

Driven by a passion for education and historical preservation, Pritzker established the Pritzker Military Museum & Library in 2003 to honor the legacy of the Citizen Soldier. She also founded the TAWANI Foundation and Pritzker Military Foundation, extending her philanthropic reach to military heritage, arts and culture health and wellness, environmental conservation, LGBTQ+ rights, and broader human rights efforts. These organizations support both public education and essential services for active-duty personnel, veterans, and military families across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Pritzker is a dedicated partner in numerous ventures promoting women’s health, diversity in business, and social impact, including Second Act, Chicago Blend, Ceek Women’s Health, Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT, Good Growth Capital, and The Pride Fund. She is also a backer of the Chicago Stars FC, a professional women’s soccer team.

She currently serves on the boards of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Squadron Holdings LLC, and the Leadership Council for the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health. In 2005, she was honored with the City of Chicago’s John A. Logan Patriot Award and in 2012, the Damen Award from Loyola University Chicago.

Pritzker holds a B.A. in History from Loyola University Chicago and completed the U.S. Army’s Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Chemical Officer Advanced Course, the Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, and the Command and General Staff College. In 2007, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Military Science from Norwich University, where she also served on the Athletic Committee of the Board of Trustees.

She resides in Chicago and is the proud parent of three children—Tal Hava, Andrew, and William—and three grandchildren. The name “TAWANI” is derived from an anagram of her children’s names, reflecting the deeply personal mission behind her work.