Patti Vasquez is a Chicago-born comedian, writer, actor, talk-show host, and compassionate advocate with a knack for blending humor with heart. After earning a history degree from the University of Illinois and beginning graduate work at Northwestern, she swapped academia for the comedy stage—initially emceeing at Zanies Comedy Club and eventually touring nationally with one-woman shows like Pregnant Party Girl and Mamacita: Tales of a Diaper Diva.

Patti hosted The Patti Vasquez Show on WGN Radio for six years, becoming the first Latina with her own talk show on the station. A natural on screen, she’s also appeared on Chicago Fire, Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, and The Oprah Winfrey Network. She is currently hosting “Driving it Home with Patti Vasquez” at WCPT 820, Chicago’s Progressive Talk.

Her personal journey—including raising a son born with a neurological disorder—inspired her founding of With Kind Words, a consulting company helping healthcare professionals communicate with empathy Beyond comedy, Patti is a vocal advocate for families, particularly those impacted by disabilities. She uses her experiences in her current position as Policy Advocate for the Office of the Comptroller of the State of IL.