Marilynn Kelly Gardner

Marilynn Kelly Gardner is a visionary, strategist, and passionate advocate for Chicago. As President and CEO of Navy Pier, she has built a strong reputation as one of the city’s most respected leaders. During her more than 20-year tenure at Navy Pier, her impact has been significant in the Pier’s continued growth and evolution, establishing Navy Pier as a world class cultural destination.

A respected member of civic and professional communities, Marilynn serves in a number of volunteer leadership roles, and was recognized as one of the ‘One Hundred Women to Watch’ in Today’s Chicago Woman in 2013. Marilynn has been featured on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, Bootstrapping in America, and PBS’ Beyond Your Backyard.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Marilynn attended St. Ignatius College Prep on the near west side of Chicago and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Marilynn knows CURE Epilepsy’s work well as she is the daughter of one of CURE Epilepsy’s founding members and sister to a brother who was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 6 years old.