Mary Dillon, Executive Chair, Ulta Beauty

Episode 006 – Mary Dillon, Executive Chair, Ulta Beauty

On this episode of The Executives’ Exchange, Mary Dillon, Executive Chair of Ulta Beauty joins us to discuss her journey as a first generation college graduate, as well as the luck and preparedness which yielded her early successes. She discusses the challenge of making an iconic American meal healthier; the three lenses of leadership she feels are required to build an exceptional team: functional expertise; enterprise thinking and collaboration; her successful run at Ulta Beauty, the future of retail and more!

1:20 – Family, Upbringing, Education, Early Years
4:35 – First Paycheck, Early Career
8:20 – Luck or Preparation, Mary’s Story
14:45 – Culture at Quaker Oats
17:45 – The Pepsico Days
21:30 – The Move to McDonalds
29:00 – Transition to US Cellular
33:30 – Advice for CMO to CEO Path
35:50 – Ulta Beauty Success and Reflection
41:45 – Business During the Pandemic
47:40 – The Importance of Connection to Employees
49:30 – Ulta Inside Target
52:30 – Rapid Fire Round Questions

Follow Mary: LinkedIn

Host: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President, The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago

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