2025 Notable Leaders in Marketing

Visionary marketers can shape the strategy, community engagement, and core identity of a business, and these 25 marketing leaders live up to that definition. Their work often leads to unique partnerships, new market reach, and greater digital impact. Across channels and in close collaboration with clients, these creatives bring important work to the public eye in fresh and engaging ways.

Methodology: The individuals featured did not pay to be included. Their profiles were drawn from nomination materials. This list is not comprehensive; it includes only people who were nominated and accepted after editorial review. To qualify for this list, individuals must have at least five years of experience in their field and have shown the ability to effect change in their roles or areas of practice.

To nominate other best-in-class executives in their fields, click here.

2025 Notable Leaders in Marketing

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Stephanie Alles

Stephanie Alles

Director of integrated marketing and brand, GF Building Flow Solutions Americas
Stephanie Alles leads a team responsible for digital marketing, PR, communications, events, and content creation for GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, the manufacturer of Uponor-branded products. Alles worked to bring
Christie Altendorf

Christie Altendorf

Director of marketing, D’Amico Hospitality
Through her work transitioning D’Amico Catering to D’Amico Hospitality, Christie Altendorf has emphasized the company’s dedication to the venues, cuisine, and services that go into a well-executed experience. The rebranding
Hana Chughtai

Hana Chughtai

Founder and "Wicked Visionary," Hana April
Over the past 15 years, Hana Chughtai’s Eden Prairie-based creative agency and event production company has earned a reputation for bold, culturally insightful concepts, serving a variety of clients, from
Kevin DiLorenzo

Kevin DiLorenzo

President and CEO, Rise and Shine and Partners
For 30 years, Kevin DiLorenzo has built a reputation in the Twin Cities advertising and marketing community for delivering insightful thought leadership and industry innovation. He has charted five consecutive
Malorie Drugg

Malorie Drugg

Vice president of marketing, Marvin
Under Malorie Drugg’s leadership, marketing at Marvin combines data-driven insights and persuasive creativity. Based at the Eagan location, Drugg has expanded the company’s marketing analytics function and integrated its work
Jamie Gassmann

Jamie Gassmann

Vice president of marketing, R3 Continuum
As the sole architect of a comprehensive marketing program, Jamie Gassmann has designed and amplified the R3 Continuum brand. Her visionary approach has positioned the Bloomington-based company as a vital
Anne Gode

Anne Gode

Marketing and business development director, Bolton & Menk
Anne Gode is an example of a female powerhouse in a male-dominated industry. She supervises 12 staff members and oversees a team of 25, serving as a positive example at
Rebekah Gustin

Rebekah Gustin

Senior vice president of client strategy and services, Bold Orange
Rebekah Gustin’s leadership style, focusing on collaboration, accountability, and clarity at Bold Orange, has been an important part of the Minneapolis-based agency’s growth, with the company retaining 100% of its
Kelly Hirner

Kelly Hirner

Marketing director, Evolving Solutions
Since joining Evolving Solutions three years ago, Kelly Hirner has led a big shift in how the Hamel-based company executes its marketing efforts, with a digital-centric, multi-channel approach that has
Maria Hokanson

Maria Hokanson

EVP, Marketing, United States and Canada, International Dairy Queen
Maria Hokanson leads the effort to modernize the DQ brand while staying true to its legacy. During her 20-year tenure, she has introduced award-winning digital and loyalty programs, revitalized the
Tiffany Jackson

Tiffany Jackson

Vice president of public relations, Lola Red
A vital member of the Lola Red leadership team, Tiffany Jackson has helped drive an impressive recent surge in business. She led the efforts that brought the Minneapolis-based agency five
Patrick Klinger

Patrick Klinger

Founder and president, Agile Marketing Partners
Patrick Klinger has used his creativity and drive to design programs that engage audiences and lift up communities. He helped shape Agile Marketing Partners’ partnership with the Minnesota Wild and
Dylan Lamb

Dylan Lamb

Chief creative officer, Bullseye Media
In seven years at Bullseye Media, Dylan Lamb has led with a strategic mind and an ability to navigate complex decisions. He advocates for equity and in the last year
Blake Long

Blake Long

Vice president of brand marketing and communications, Allina Health
Leading Allina Health’s marketing and communications, Blake Long has advanced the Minneapolis-based health system’s brand. His projects include a partnership with Minnesota United Football Club; a multi-year partnership integrating brand
Janelle Lynch

Janelle Lynch

Director of marketing, Genesis10
Janelle Lynch has made an impact at Genesis10 by unifying internal teams, leading with clarity and creativity, and bringing the brand together. She serves as an executive sponsor for both
Jennifer McNeil

Jennifer McNeil

Executive director of marketing and communications, Dunwoody College of Technology
Jennifer McNeil has been a driving force for Dunwoody College of Technology, where her leadership has changed how the Minneapolis-based institution communicates. She launched a full Dunwoody rebrand, modernizing the
Dan O’Rourke

Dan O’Rourke

Senior director of marketing, Lunds & Byerlys
Dan O’Rourke has contributed to Lunds & Byerlys by pulling off many cross-functional successes. For one, he led the creation of L&B Extras, a loyalty program with more than 300,000
Jordan Obinger

Jordan Obinger

Owner and creative director, Edition Studios
Jordan Obinger has owned and operated Edition Studios for 10 years. The Minneapolis-based creative agency manages more than 80 clients annually across branding, design, and digital marketing, and Obinger’s focus