Since graduating from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Patti fashioned a successful career within the securities industry. Her initial success came at First Investors Corporation as one of the first woman managers. Eventually, she oversaw five offices in two states as as Vice President before stepping back to begin her family. After moving to Colorado and in addition to raising two children, Patti spent a decade with Cetera Financial Services.

Interested in the private equity market, in 2013 she teamed up with Thom Garlock, author and educator in the self-directed retirement planning industry. His history of cellular and real estate successes lured Patti away from finances, prompting her to focus on tangible assets, private placements, and business development.

In the Fall of 2019, Patti cofounded Food Insecurity and Relief Solutions Today (FIRST), a nonprofit devoted to helping communities challenged by disasters or suffering from food insecurity. FIRST now goes by the name, First-Impact, and Patti recently turned over her role as president, remaining on First-Impact’s Board of Directors.

As the former President of the Evergreen Education Foundation and President of the Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Parent Teacher Organization; Patti is also President of the Denver Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Fraternity. Patti dedicates time and efforts to her alma mater by sitting on the Indiana University Colorado Alumni Board, and she just ended her term on the Indiana University Alumni Association Executive Council. She’s also a member of the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council, recently appointed Membership Chair for the 2024-25 year. She also sits on the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Board of Directors.