Staff Stories: Pat Wynn

To Uplift And Overcome

By Grace DePaull; banner photo by Simon Wheeler

“Part of me going away was just to escape.” 

These words marked Pat Wynn’s first step toward breaking free from limiting circumstances and forging a new path forward—something she’d find herself doing time and time again. 

Raised alongside four sisters, Wynn’s early years were shaped by hardship—financial struggles and the loss of her father at just sixteen. Determined to overcome these challenges, she worked tirelessly, acquiring scholarships and loans to fund her college education, paving a path out of poverty and unlocking new opportunities. Little did she know, these efforts would open doors leading her to boardrooms, executive roles and, ultimately, Cornell. 

As an assistant vice president of Student and Campus Life at Cornell, Wynn reflects on her journey with a single piece of advice for her younger self:

“I didn't realize until I was about 30 that I had an inner strength I could leverage, that I could do things I never thought I could do,” she said. “I had been so stuck thinking about the poor little girl from Bloomfield and not the adult I had become. It does very little good dwelling on the past; instead, I’d tell my younger self to always look toward the future.” 

Today, Wynn oversees Campus Life Enterprise Services at Cornell, managing everything from conference and event services to dining, catering, concessions and housing. Her journey from hardship to leadership reflects not only perseverance but a deep commitment to creating opportunities for others – opportunities she didn’t always have herself. 

“I didn't realize until I was about 30 that I had an inner strength I could leverage, that I could do things I never thought I could do.”

Before arriving at Cornell, Wynn spent 27 years at Borders, where she rose to vice president of Sales Promotion, Specialty Retail and Paperchase. Her career, however, was far from smooth. As one of the few women in leadership, Wynn often faced gender biases that limited her career growth.

“Coming out of college, I held several jobs at once just to survive,” she said. “But retail energized me. I could be creative and practical at the same time. However, it was also at times a really toxic experience.” 

Finding herself in male-dominated, corporate culture, Wynn relied on the guidance and support of strong mentors who helped her thrive. After one key mentor sent her to a seven-day leadership training in Minneapolis – despite facing resistance from his peers – Wynn adopted the mentality to “lead courageously,” a principle she continues to carry with her at Cornell. 

“It was a big deal for my boss to even receive approval to send a woman to the training,” she said. “He helped me learn skills I wouldn’t have gained on my own. Watching how he was able to raise people up was very important for me to see.” 

When Borders eventually ceased operations in 2011, shuttering 399 stores and laying off over 10,000 employees, Wynn found herself at a crossroad. Forced to rethink her career path after nearly three decades with the same company, she took on a leadership role at the Cornell Store before transitioning into her current position, all while remaining deeply committed to uplifting those around her. 

“I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly strong, qualified and capable employees at Cornell and within Cornell Dining,” Wynn said. “One priority has been to hire female chefs and provide developmental opportunities to help them improve their skills and advance to the next level. There’s a cascading effect, and it’s inspiring to see how these women excel every day.”

With a leadership philosophy grounded in empowering others, Wynn strives to create an environment where everyone feels supported and capable of reaching their full potential. 

“There’s a great quote that I try to live by, and it goes something like, ‘People may not remember what you said, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel,’” emphasizing that leadership is more than just achieving results – it’s about making sure those you lead feel valued and respected. “In the end, it’s how you make them feel that matters most.”

Wynn’s commitment to this principle has extended beyond the workplace during her time at the university. As co-chair of the Cornell United Way campaign, she volunteers almost year-round, raising awareness and supporting nonprofits throughout Tompkins County. 

“United Way has given me the chance to meet people I might never have encountered otherwise,” Wynn said. “It has brought me closer to Cornell leadership and connected me with members of the local community. Meeting successful people outside of my usual circle has allowed me to learn from them and incorporate some of their approaches into my own work. It’s been an incredibly positive experience.”

This year, the campaign set a goal to raise $575,000 and is close to achieving this milestone. Not only can members of the Cornell community donate, but Wynn encourages individuals to find additional ways to get involved, either through volunteering with local agencies listed on the Cornell United Way website or dedicating time to reading grant proposals.

Wynn’s journey has grown from the resilience and determination she first discovered as a young woman eager to overcome difficult circumstances, to thriving professionally, and helping others do the same.

"I think one word to define this journey is serendipity," Wynn reflected. "I’ve somehow managed to be in the right place at the right time or maybe sometimes I’ve been in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it’s worked out.”

Yet Wynn knows that luck isn’t enough. “It doesn’t just fall on you. You do have to then put the groundwork in place to be able to take advantage of that luck when it comes your way.”

Wynn’s hope is simple: “I do hope that when I leave Cornell, I will have left a positive impact on the organization as a whole. Whatever I do in the future, I hope to continue to just be a force.” Through every leadership decision, mentorship and initiative she takes on, Wynn remains committed to creating a path for those who come after her.