Marlena Peleo-Lazar was born and raised in Detroit. (Yes, she does know all of the lyrics to all of the Motown songs.) After receiving degrees in English and Media Studies, she set her sights on becoming the next Barbara Walters in television. On her way to “stardom” she was recruited by Leo Burnett to be a copywriter. And, it is there she spent her formative years, rising through the creative ranks to become a global creative director on such notable Brands as Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s. In 1997, she clicked the heels of her ruby slippers and became the creative leader of Ogilvy & Mather/Chicago working on such accounts as Sears, Kimberly Clark, Illinois Lottery, and Unilever.

Today, Marlena is the Chief Creative Offi cer/Vice President of McDonald’s Corporation where she is responsible for all of the advertising for Brand McDonald’s. She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the current business-building, creative, award-winning “i’m lovin’ it” advertising campaign for McDonald’s. In 2004, her career and efforts on behalf of McDonald’s were honored with the Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year Award. Subsequent to this, Marlena also received the Illinois Infl uential Women in Business Award and the McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network Award.

When not helping to polish the “golden arches”, Marlena is active in the Chicago advertising community. In 2006 and 2007, she served as President of the Chicago Advertising Federation. She is often a featured speaker at industry events and at schools throughout the country. Additionally, Marlena mentors many people seeking careers in advertising and marketing.

Marlena is married to John Lazar and is kept “forever young” by her two college age sons, Christopher and Brendan.

Marlena Peleo-Lazar was born and raised in Detroit. (Yes, she does know all of the lyrics to all of the Motown songs.) After receiving degrees in English and Media Studies, she set her sights on becoming the next Barbara Walters in television. On her way to “stardom” she was recruited by Leo Burnett to be a copywriter. And, it is there she spent her formative years, rising through the creative ranks to become a global creative director on such notable Brands as Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s. In 1997, she clicked the heels of her ruby slippers and became the creative leader of Ogilvy & Mather/Chicago working on such accounts as Sears, Kimberly Clark, Illinois Lottery, and Unilever.

Today, Marlena is the Chief Creative Offi cer/Vice President of McDonald’s Corporation where she is responsible for all of the advertising for Brand McDonald’s. She was instrumental in the creation and implementation of the current business-building, creative, award-winning “i’m lovin’ it” advertising campaign for McDonald’s. In 2004, her career and efforts on behalf of McDonald’s were honored with the Chicago Advertising Woman of the Year Award. Subsequent to this, Marlena also received the Illinois Infl uential Women in Business Award and the McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network Award.

When not helping to polish the “golden arches”, Marlena is active in the Chicago advertising community. In 2006 and 2007, she served as President of the Chicago Advertising Federation. She is often a featured speaker at industry events and at schools throughout the country. Additionally, Marlena mentors many people seeking careers in advertising and marketing.

Marlena is married to John Lazar and is kept “forever young” by her two college age sons, Christopher and Brendan.