Anne Patenaude, a prominent marketing executive for Pioneer Investment Management of Boston and an active participant in mutual fund industry affairs, died June 13, Pioneer announced last week. The cause was complications related to leukemia. She was 53.
Patenaude, who was most recently vice president of marketing programs at Pioneer, joined the company in 1988 with wide marketing responsibilities, according to the company. Over the years, she increasingly focused on advertising and public relations and was for many, "the personification of Pioneer," according to the company. Among her many accomplishments was the development of an award-winning series of ads, the company said.
Her dedication to her work was such that she spent her last Mother's Day handling the announcement of Pioneer's acquisition by UniCredito Italiano Group of Milan and missed a party that was being given in her honor as a result, according to the Boston Herald.
She was also an active member of the ICI and participated on several committees. She was chairman of the Shareholder Communications Committee from 1987 to 1993. In the past year, she was a member of the committee that organized the 2000 general membership meeting.
Patenaude earned a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School.
Pioneer is establishing an education trust fund for her two children, ages 10 and 12.
