Laura Ricketts

Laura Ricketts
Ricketts at the White House after the Cubs 2016 World Series victory
Born	(1963-12-15) December 15, 1963 (age 53) Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Nationality	American
Education	University of Chicago, (A.B.) 1994 University of Michigan Law School (J.D.), 1998
Occupation	Board member, Chicago Cubs
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Brooke Skinner (m. 2010)
Parent(s)	Marlene and Joe Ricketts
Relatives	Pete Ricketts (brother) Todd Ricketts (brother) Tom Ricketts (brother)

Laura M. Ricketts is co-owner of the Chicago Cubs. Ricketts is also a board member of Lambda Legal and the Housing Opportunities for Women organization. Ricketts' ownership stake in the Cubs is uniquely noteworthy because it makes her the first openly gay owner of a major-league sports franchise.

Ricketts and her three siblings grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. She is the daughter of John Joseph ("Joe") and Marlene Margaret Ricketts (née Volkmer).

Ricketts' father, J. Joseph Ricketts , founded Ameritrade when Laura was 7. J. Joseph Ricketts let it be known that he wanted his children to establish themselves through their own hard work and would not be allowed to join TD Ameritrade until they reached the age of 30.

Laura Ricketts is a former corporate lawyer. She lives with her partner on the North Side of Chicago. Ricketts received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in 1994, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1998. Laura talks of her own struggle to come out; "I came out to my family I would say early to mid 90s. I think for a long time I wasn't really out to myself growing up in Omaha, Neb., to a Catholic conservative family. It took me a while to come out to myself and not long after that I came out to them. I think that it really couldn't have been a better experience. They were all immediately supportive. ... I have been really really fortunate in that regard."

On June 6, 2010, Ricketts married Brooke Skinner. Skinner is an employee at Twitter. Their wedding was officiated by Jim Bennett, the Midwest Director of Lambda Legal.

Ricketts is one of four children. Older brother J. Peter Ricketts is the current governor of Nebraska. Her brother Tom is chairman of the Chicago Cubs, and the chief executive officer of Incapital LLC. He is also a director of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. Her youngest brother, Todd also lives in Chicago.