EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & PARTNER
Wendi Taylor Nations
Executive Vice President and Partner, Wendi Taylor Nations, brings Hawthorne over 25 years of experience in business and marketing strategy integration, and a vast knowledge of (and love for) California wine and tuxedo cats.
With experience on both agency and client sides of the business world, Wendi approaches client service with the perspective of a senior executive, allowing her to counsel on client issues and crisis management with an experienced eye and a commitment to delivering against business objectives. Wendi’s diverse portfolio has prepared her to effectively serve clients in an array of industries and develop marketing and communications strategies that deliver results.
Some of Wendi’s career highlights include: developing legislative and consumer advocacy strategies for the ethanol industry in response to both tariff and environmental impact challenges; supporting McDonald’s largest owner/operator group, McDonald’s Operators of Chicago and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI), in both consumer marketing and health-related issues management; winning and implementing the state of
Illinois campaign to introduce the Affordable Care Act; and leading Veolia Environmental Services through crisis communications in response to the major LA train accident.
Prior to Hawthorne, Wendi was chief marketing officer at World Business Chicago (WBC), an organization established to drive Chicago’s global economic development. While there, Wendi led a variety of initiatives that focused on sourcing and developing jobs in Chicago, technological community advancement, and driving foreign investment. Her leadership led to LinkedIn, Google, Salesforce, Facebook, and more to choose Chicago as their Midwest location.
Wendi’s additional experience includes senior roles at Fleishman-Hillard, Porter Novelli, Hill + Knowlton, and Heidrick & Struggles.
Education: Master of Business Administration degree in marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English composition from DePauw University.
Pets: Mike the Tuxedo Cat, and two new additions, Jack and Beau
Coffee Order: Coke Zero
Outside of Work, You’ll Find Wendi: Whipping up new recipes (check out @WendiChicago on Twitter for a sneak peek)