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Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund Trustee Lois Nelson Recognized at NASP Chicago 2023 Trailblazing Women Honoree Breakfast

Nelson and other honorees recognized for being champions of diversity in financial services
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NASP Breakfast
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Pictured, left to right: Executive Director Carlton W. Lenoir, Sr., President Jeffery Blackwell, Trustee Lois Nelson, Trustee Quentin S. Washington, Chief Investment Officer Fernando Vinzons,
Seated: Vice President Jacquelyn Price Ward and Director of Administrative Services, Gail Davis

Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) Trustee Lois Nelson was chosen as one of 20 Trailblazing Illinois Women who are champions of diversity and inclusion in financial services by the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP). Nelson and the other honorees were recognized at the Trailblazing Women Honoree Breakfast on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. NASP is the premier organization that helps African Americans, ethnic minorities, and women achieve inclusion in the financial services industry. 

“I am honored to be recognized as one of 20 Trailblazers by NASP. I have always had a passion to do what I could to help the Fund move forward in the area of diversity, as I believe strongly that our investments should reflect the participants who contribute to the Fund. Seeking out diverse investment talent has helped us learn, prosper, and flourish, stated Trustee Nelson.”  

“We are grateful for Trustee Nelson’s service to CTPF and appreciate the honor she is receiving today from NASP as a champion of diversity and inclusion,” said Carlton W. Lenoir, Sr., CTPF Executive Director. “Trustee Nelson has shown tremendous dedication to CTPF and a passion for MWDBE investments and service to our members over many years as both an Active and Pensioner Trustee. We appreciate the time and energy she is devoting to CTPF and the recognition she received.” 

Trustee Nelson started as an Active Teacher Trustee at CTPF in 2005 and held the position until 2010. She was appointed to the Board in 2018 to represent pensioners, elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2021. She has held several leadership positions during her tenure, including Vice President, Financial Secretary, and chair of the Investment Committee. Trustee Nelson has also chaired multiple committees including Personnel Committee, Finance & Audit Committee, Pension Laws and Administrative Rules Committee, Return to Work Committee, and Health Insurance Committee. She currently serves as the Board’s Recording Secretary and Chair of the Return to Work Committee.  

During her 40+ year teaching career, Trustee Nelson was an Active School Delegate at Earle Elementary as well as a Lead Mentor Teacher for several years. She was Co-Chair of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Political Action Committee, and served as an active and retired delegate to American Federation of Teachers and Illinois Federation of Teachers. She currently serves as a member of the CTU Retiree Committee.  

Trustee Nelson is a lifetime member of several organizations including National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Mu Chapter, the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago, and the American Federation of Teachers’ Black Caucus. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Chicago State University and a Master of Science in Education at Governor’s State University, plus 60 post-graduate hours from various universities.  

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