Wendi Taylor Nations '85 is Chief Marketing Officer for World Business Chicago

March 27, 2014

Wendi Taylor Nations, a 1985 graduate of DePauw University, has been appointed chief marketing officer for World Business Chicago (WBC). Chaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, WBC fosters private sector growth and jobs through the advancement of a business-friendly environment that attracts world class talent. Nations will be responsible for managing the strategic communications and media relations for the organization.

"A well-known industry veteran, Nations has a rich history in the Chicago marketing community and brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in both the public and private sectors," notes today's announcement. "In this newly-created role, Nations will coordinate a variety of strategic WBC imperatives from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs, to technology advancement (ChicagoNEXT) and international development (Chicago Sister Cities International), as well as business recruitment, expansion and retention.  Nations’ team will work together with partner organizations to keep Chicago at the forefront of the world’s economy."

According to Jeff Malehorn, president and CEO of World Business Chicago, "What stood out about Wendi was her diverse experience, from being able to navigate complex political environments to leading global corporate marketing teams. In addition, Wendi’s true affinity for our great city shows in everything she does. This will no doubt help her lead a dynamic brand re-positioning campaign that will amplify WBC’s mission and create greater visibility for the Mayor’s Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs."

Nations was an English (composition) major at DePauw and holds an M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She comes to WBC from FleishmanHillard. She previously spent a decade at Porter Novelli as healthcare practice director and managing director of the Chicago office. She also spent three years at Hill & Knowlton in Chicago and was chief marketing officer for Heidrick & Struggles and marketing director for Advocate Health Care.

"It’s extremely rewarding to take years of hard work and experience and use it to tell the world about  Chicago’s highly engaged business community, very pro-business mayor, unmatched access to domestic and global markets, and incredible talent pool," Nations says. "When you can blend business expertise with a job that you love and an outstanding 'product' to sell -- that’s the best possible combination to achieve success."

Read more here. The news is also noted by the Chicago Business Journal.

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