Pattie Cortese

Pattie Cortese has lived in the Bay Area since 1969. She graduated from Lynbrook High School in San Jose and attended DeAnza College for two years before transferring to San Jose State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She also holds a Master of Divinity in Interfaith Studies from the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose. Professionally, she began her career with Catholic Charities in their Vocational Learning and Treatment Center, working with chronically mentally ill adults to gain skills and employment. In 1990, she joined a high-tech laser and optics start-up, which eventually went public, where she worked in customer service, facilities management and human resources for nearly ten years.