Cathy Calhoun is the chief growth officer for IPG DXTRA, a global collective of 27 marketing specialty brands. She oversees collaboration efforts across brands and disciplines. Calhoun’s prior brand marketing experiences include working with Mars Inc., ALDI, Harley-Davidson, Unilever and L.L. Bean.
Previously, she was chief client officer for Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading and most innovative public relations agencies and the only PR firm to be named to the Ad Age “A” List - twice.
As CCO, she was responsible for overseeing the firm’s 52 largest client relationships across regions and practices. She has helped design, develop and deliver Weber Shandwick’s client experience (CX) proposition around the globe. In her 23 years with the firm, she has held various operational and practice positions of leadership, including co-lead of the global consumer marketing practice and president, North America.
As a communications consultant, Calhoun has extensive experience in brand and category marketing and is the strategic driver of many large, cross-platform integrated marketing campaigns. She has deep expertise in food/nutrition marketing and programs targeted to women.
The Public Relations Society of America named Calhoun Chicago’s PR Professional of the Year. She was also chosen as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ “Forty Under Forty” and was named one of the “Forty PR Stars Under Forty” by PR Week magazine. Under her leadership the Chicago office of Weber Shandwick was named one of the best places to work in the city by both Chicago Magazine and Crain’s Chicago Business. She has received numerous awards for the national public relations programs she has overseen.
Her community service activities focus on securing quality education for disadvantaged children and hunger relief. She is currently the board president for Namaste Charter School and a former board member and advisor to Ravenswood Community Services. She is also a member of The Chicago Network, an organization of Chicago’s most distinguished professional women.
Calhoun earned a B.F.A. in journalism from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.