Robert Paszczak has been a long-standing and dedicated advocate for the Polish American community addressing its basic needs, voiced and un-voiced.  As the Chairman of the PAA Board of Directors, Mr. Paszczak led our human service organization through the most challenging period of a downturn of our economy, rising unemployment, and the decrease of funding, so disproportional to the nonprofit sector.  During this critical period, Mr. Paszczak strengthened the fiscal infrastructure.  Under his leadership, the Polish American Association solidified its fiscal partnerships with the banking institutions, in order to continue to provide human assistance through 28 programs to over 11,000 individual clients each year.  His fiscal expertise and passionate concern benefited the underserved and the elderly from the entire Polish community.

His inspired leadership motivated community building efforts and helped to develop the resources, so critical to survival in a time of declining government support.  Through the process of programmatic and budgetary reorganization, undertaken at the time of Mr. Paszczak’s term, the Polish American Association was able to help many of our client families not only to meet essential daily needs, but to work toward improving their future with programs in immigration assistance, education, vocational training, temporary housing and food pantry, crisis intervention, and elderly assistance.  This was accomplished at the time when many human service agencies failed.

Rober Paszczak, a forty year career banker, currently Vice-Chairman of Wintrust’s Wheaton Bank and Trust, never forgot his Polish and Chicago roots.  Born and raised on Chicago’s southside, Bob graduated from St. Rita High School and NIU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.  Bob’s banking career began with Gary-Wheaton Bank through five mergers to JP Morgan, from which he ultimately retired.  Served on numerous boards, most notably the Polish American Association for fifteen years, including Treasurer and Chairman, the Joliet Diocese Catholic Charities, people’s Resource Center, BP Ryall YMCA,Hospice of DuPage.  He also serves on the Board’s of Wheaton Bank and Trust, Euclid Beverage and Teleperformance.  Married to Sandra Miller, the father of Kristin and Michael, he currently resides in Wheaton.  His interests include golf, travel, and fitness.

In view of Mr. Paszczak’s dedication to developing the most critical resources of philanthropic support changing the lives of thousands of Polish immigrants and their families, we feel that Mr. Paszczak exemplifies the commitment and compassion of the Polish community.