Kary is responsible for the strategy and operations of the Chicago arm of a global agency network. Under Kary’s leadership, Y&R has revamped its creative product and was named top 10 “Creative Heavyweights” by Creativity magazine in 2001. In each successive year, Y&R Chicago has lead Y&R globally and WPP North America in creative awards. Besides being a champion of great work and growing a culture of ideas, Kary’s philosophy of making agency life as rewarding as possible has resulted in exceptional growth and exceptionally low turn over. Kary’s experience runs from consumer packaged goods to retail, services, spirits and beer including: Jim Beam, The Great Indoors, Kraft Foods, M&M Mars, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Miller Brewing Company, H&R Block, and Sears.

Kary spent time in Brand Planning, developed the discipline for Y&R Chicago and continues to take a consumer-centric approach to problem solving. She is also a veteran of Account Management and New Business Development at Y&R Chicago, Y&R New York and Ted Bates.

She is Chairman of the board of The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, as well as a board member of Horizon’s for Youth. She serves on the University Council for Bradley University, as well as the leadership team at her son’s school. Kary believes strongly in giving back to the community and her agency does a great deal of pro bono work including National Parks Services, Red Cross, River North Chicago Dance Center and the Ad Council. She is a member of The Chicago Network and was named by Advertising Age as one of the “Women to Watch”.

The McIlwain’s; Kary, her husband John; and their son, Connor; Labrador retriever, Tinker and fighting fish, Rougher live in Oak Park, Illinois

Kary is responsible for the strategy and operations of the Chicago arm of a global agency network. Under Kary’s leadership, Y&R has revamped its creative product and was named top 10 “Creative Heavyweights” by Creativity magazine in 2001. In each successive year, Y&R Chicago has lead Y&R globally and WPP North America in creative awards. Besides being a champion of great work and growing a culture of ideas, Kary’s philosophy of making agency life as rewarding as possible has resulted in exceptional growth and exceptionally low turn over. Kary’s experience runs from consumer packaged goods to retail, services, spirits and beer including: Jim Beam, The Great Indoors, Kraft Foods, M&M Mars, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Miller Brewing Company, H&R Block, and Sears.

Kary spent time in Brand Planning, developed the discipline for Y&R Chicago and continues to take a consumer-centric approach to problem solving. She is also a veteran of Account Management and New Business Development at Y&R Chicago, Y&R New York and Ted Bates.

She is Chairman of the board of The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, as well as a board member of Horizon’s for Youth. She serves on the University Council for Bradley University, as well as the leadership team at her son’s school. Kary believes strongly in giving back to the community and her agency does a great deal of pro bono work including National Parks Services, Red Cross, River North Chicago Dance Center and the Ad Council. She is a member of The Chicago Network and was named by Advertising Age as one of the “Women to Watch”.

The McIlwain’s; Kary, her husband John; and their son, Connor; Labrador retriever, Tinker and fighting fish, Rougher live in Oak Park, Illinois