Chicago

Thursday, May 7, 2026

RUNNING TO THE FIRE

The Marketing Vanguard Summit convenes CMOs, CEOs, and other senior leaders from some of the world’s most innovative and influential brands—alongside cultural icons, emerging leaders, and thinkers from academia—to confront the moments of tension, ambiguity, and change in this industry, collectively shaping the future of the role and practice.

Held at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Gleacher Center on May 7, the Summit challenges marketing leaders to embrace discomfort and build the muscles required to lead at the highest level: forging deeper CEO alignment, owning the metrics that truly matter to the business, and creating brands worthy of sustained attention, trust, and investment. Through candid dialogue, debate, and practical insight, we’ll explore how CMOs are stepping into complexity—across growth, culture, technology, and transformation—to solidify marketing’s position as an indispensable driver of enterprise value.

Provocateurs

More to be announced soon

Sofia Colucci
Sofia Colucci
CMO
Molson Coors Beverage Company
Jackie Cutrone
Jackie Cutrone
CMO
NewtonX
Leah Davis
Leah Davis
CMO
SailGP
Caroline Dettman
Caroline Dettman
CMO
World Business Chicago
Meredith Diehn
Meredith Diehn
SVP of Marketing
Goodwipes
Ameetess Dira
Ameetess Dira
CMO
Petzey Pet Telehealth
Conley Downing
Conley Downing
CMO
Archer Roose Wines
Eric Edge
Eric Edge
VP, Brand & Marketing
Alaska Airlines
Delphine Francois Chiavarini
Delphine Francois Chiavarini
President
Conair Beauty & Home Care
George Felix
George Felix
CMO
Chili’s Grill & Bar
Cat Ferdon
Cat Ferdon
CMO
Coinbase
Rafa Flores
Rafa Flores
Chief Product and Growth Officer
Treasure AI