Nancy Knowles: Loyola University Health System and Stritch

An accomplished businesswoman and internationally recognized philanthropist, Nancy Welch Knowles has been a valued member of the Loyola University Health System family for many years. She is on the board of directors of Loyola University Health System, Loyola University Medical Center, and Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Knowles' interest in medicine began at a young age. Her father, Dr. Fred Welch, an orthopaedic surgeon and inventor of the Knowles pin, allowed her to spend time with him at work, even joining him on rounds. She considered becoming a physician, but instead studied languages. After graduating from the University of Iowa, she became a Spanish translator for Fort Dodge Laboratories, where she could combine her loves of language and medicine. Later, she worked for Pickands Mather, a Cleveland mining industry firm, and then moved to Chicago where she came to work for Knowles Electronics.

Founded by one of the nation's leading acoustical research engineers and her future husband, Hugh S. Knowles, the company specialized in the production of subminiature electronic hearing instrument technology and became the leading manufacturer of microphones around the globe. 

Mrs. Knowles began her career with the company in new product development and went on to lead the management team in the development of long-range strategic planning. As vice president, Mrs. Knowles was involved in the international growth and management of the company's sales and manufacturing divisions. Eventually, she came to lead the corporation as chairman and helped expand the company while upholding the standards of excellence set by her husband. She later served as chairman emeritus. She is currently president and treasurer of The Knowles Foundation, which supports various causes, including health care. Throughout this time, Knowles Electronics became a supporter of Loyola.

Both personally and through The Knowles Foundation, Mrs. Knowles has made many gifts in support of the health system and Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She was one of the founding contributors to Stritch's Anthony L. Barbato, MD, Scholarship Fund, named after the former president of the health system. Most notably, she was one of the first to pledge a major bequest to the health system's current comprehensive capital campaign, which will help ensure Loyola's ability to continue fulfilling its mission by providing quality health care in the spirit of St. Ignatius.

Mrs. Knowles' philanthropy is driven by the close personal relationships she forges with others who share her enthusiasm for these venerable causes. "Contributing to philanthropic causes is very personal to me, and it has to involve organizations doing good for the majority" Mrs. Knowles said. "I've been watching Loyola for ten years now and to see it continue to move forward is inspiring; it has to just make your heart happy."