Mary N. Dillon was born in 1962 in Chicago, Illinois USA, and is recognised as one of the most successful CEOs in the world of big business. In fact she is the only female in Fortune’s 2015 list of the top 15 CEOs, actually ranked at number six for her efforts at Ulta Salon over the last three years.
So just how rich is Mary Dillon? Authoritative sources estimate that Mary’s net worth is now over $70 million, accumulated during a very successful business management career now spanning more than 30 years. Her total annual ‘compensation package’ is currently assessed at more than $6 million.
Mary N. Dillon Net Worth $6 Million
Mary Dillon graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in Marketing and Asian Studies in 1983, working as a waitress while studying. She immediately began her full-time career at Aunt Jemima Syrup as a Marketing Associate, and moved to mainstream Quaker Oats in 1984. This was not only a solid start to her net worth, but proved the beginning of over 20 years with the company and its various subsidiaries.
Dillon has always focused on general management, but specifically on consumer marketing across several product categories, and became a senior manager for such products as snacks, pet foods, and beverages. Covering several positions, she was a director at Snapple Natural Beverages from 1995 to 1996, senior vice-president of marketing at Gardenburger,(1996-2000), and Director of Marketing at Quaker in the early 2000s.
Mary was subsequently vice-president of marketing at Gatorade and Propel Fitness Waters(2000- 2002), then vice-president of marketing, Quaker Foods(2002-2004), and finally with the company president of Quaker Foods division of The Quaker Oats Company,(2004-2005), at which point she decided a change was as good as a rest. Clearly her net worth had risen considerably.
Joining the world-famous McDonald’s, Mary Dillon was the world-wide chief marketing officer as well as executive vice-president from 2005 to 2010, during which period she managed the marketing efforts of the company across 118 countries. This proved a period of impressive growth for McDonald’s, and contributed significantly to Dillon’s net worth.
Obviously five years was sufficient with the one company, and in in 2010 Dillon moved to become the CEOfficer and president of United States Cellular Corporation until 2013. She also served as secretary at Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association from 2011.
After a considerable recruiting process, Dillon was appointed the CEO of Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance in mid-2013, in which position she has overseen the company become a highlight in the beauty cosmetics business. Their strategy is to aim different products at differing levels of outlets, while resisting takeover bids from major chain stores and supermarkets, which has seen an increase in sales of over 10% in just the last six months of 2015. The plan now is to increase e-commerce sales, plus reach hundreds of more stores. The stock has risen considerably in the last year, by 42%, which is around 10 times better than the S&P 500. Dillon’s long experience in leading consumer-driven businesses and building brands clearly shows.
However, Ms. Dillon has also been a director of other companies over the years, including Chairperson of CTIA Wireless Internet Caucus, Director for Northshore University Health System,
independent Director at Target Corp, and is currently on the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, and is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Network.
Additionally, Dillon is a board member of Housing Opportunities for Women and a United Way Volunteer. She was named one of FierceWireless’ “Most Influential Women in Wireless” in 2011.
In her personal life, Mary is married with four children, and is a keen athlete, having even run the Chicago marathon – one wonders where she finds the time!
