Mary Louise Gorno

Mary Lou Gorno is Managing Director of Ingenuity International and leads the global CEO and Board practice for Fortune 500, mid-cap, and privately owned companies. As board and CEO advisor, she specializes in organizational governance, succession planning, and leadership issues.  

Gorno joined the executive search profession with more than two decades of experience in marketing, media, and strategic planning. As a senior executive at Leo Burnett Worldwide, an advertising agency that is part of Publicis Groupe, she assumed global business-building responsibility for Walt Disney Company, Reebok Inc., and the Procter & Gamble Company.  

Gorno earned a BA from Saint Mary’s College, an MS in Journalism from Northwestern University, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. She was honored with a Professional Achievement Citation, which the University of Chicago created to recognize alumni whose achievements have distinguished them in their fields and have brought credit to the University. She also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Capital Campaign at Saint Mary’s College, and received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities.  

Gorno was elected to the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago and serves as Vice Chair and member of its Executive Committee. Her philanthropic work extends to the broader cultural community serving as Vice Chair and Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chair of the Smart Museum of Art Board of Governors. In addition, Gorno is a Trustee of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC).