Women's Leadership Council Holiday Luncheon 

Mary Dillon is a Chicago-based business executive with more than 35 years of experience leading consumer-driven businesses in a diverse range of industries, from consumer packaged goods to restaurants to telecom to beauty and retail. The common thread across all has been Mary’s passion for leveraging customer insights, leading through the lens of culture and removing barriers to inclusion to build brand engagement and drive results.  

Mary currently serves as Executive Chair of the Ulta Beauty Board of Directors, following her successful eight-year run as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. During her tenure as CEO, Mary and her team tripled Ulta Beauty’s market capitalization to more than $20 billion, doubled revenues and transformed the company to become a leading Fortune 500 retailer. She also evolved Ulta Beauty’s Board of Directors to become one of the most gender diverse of any large public company in the nation, and championed the establishment of the Ulta Beauty Charitable Foundation to support women and families.

A well-respected business, civic and philanthropic leader, Mary serves on the Board of Directors for Starbucks Corporation, KKR, Inc., and Save the Children. She is the Chairperson for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, Chair of The Economic Club of Chicago, and an executive committee member of The Business Council.

Melissa Bean is president and CEO of Mesirow Wealth Management. As a member of Mesirow Financials' Board of Directors, she contributes to developing and overseeing the strategic direction of the firm. Melissa joined Mesirow following her role as Chairman, Midwest at JPMorgan Chase. Prior to joining JPMC, she served as CEO of the Executives' Club of Chicago.

Following 20 years in sales and management roles in the technology industry, Melissa was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois' Eighth district, from 2005 to 2011. She served as a leader on the House Financial Services and Small Business Committees, and was appointed by the Speaker to represent the U.S. in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Melissa is also a Roosevelt alumna and advisory board member of the Women’s Leadership Council.